As the Eid Al-Fitr holiday approaches, UAE travellers are increasingly setting their sights on international destinations, with the Maldives emerging as a top choice. Recent findings from dnata Travel indicate that a staggering 90 percent of bookings are for locations outside the UAE, signaling a clear preference for exotic getaways over domestic options. This trend reflects an evolving mindset among residents who seek longer, more enriching travel experiences during this festive period.
Shifting Travel Preferences
The recent shift in travel habits marks a notable difference from 2024, when the division between international and domestic travel stood at a 60-40 ratio. The surge in international travel can largely be attributed to the alignment of Eid Al-Fitr with an extended two-week spring break in 2025, allowing families to take full advantage of longer holiday slots and explore more distant locales.
The Maldives Leads the Way
Compared to previous Eid periods, overall bookings have experienced a remarkable 65 percent increase. The Maldives has topped the list of desirable destinations, closely followed by Spain, Mauritius, France, and Sri Lanka. In addition, countries like Vietnam, Japan, Italy, and Switzerland have seen the most significant year-on-year growth in travel demand, highlighting a burgeoning interest in diverse experiences.
“One of the key travel trends for 2024 and 2025 is growing demand for long-haul destinations,” remarked Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel. “Travellers are booking longer stays in more distant locations, with many looking for unique and less-explored parts of popular travel hotspots.”
Emerging Hotspots
For this Eid Al-Fitr and the upcoming spring break, there’s a noteworthy interest in cities like Madrid in Spain and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Ketait noted, “More travellers are approaching our experts this year to check off bucket-list destinations, while making the most of longer holiday periods with family and friends.”
To cater to this rising interest, dnata Travel has rolled out specially tailored holiday packages for the Eid Al-Fitr and spring break time frame in March and April. These include options for four and five-star accommodations in both short-haul destinations like the Maldives and Cyprus, as well as long-haul locales such as Mauritius, Spain, Bali, and Hong Kong.
Among the noteworthy offerings is a four-night water villa stay at Sun Siyam Olhuveli in the Maldives on a full board basis, which includes return flights, island transfers, and a kids stay-and-eat-free option, starting from AED6,790 per person. Another enticing package features a luxurious three-night stay at The Kayana in Bali in a Deluxe Pool Villa, inclusive of return flights and a complimentary dinner for two, beginning at AED3,840 per person.