Holiday makers prefer southeast Asian destinations

Dubai - Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta continue to hold the position of leading destinations for the holiday season

Southeast Asia continues to top the list of preferred destinations among the UAE residents travelling during Eid Al Adha holidays, according to a new report released by a Dubai-based online flight and hotel booking platform.
Vibrant cities of southeast Asia such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Jakarta continue to hold the position of leading destinations for the holiday season, according to tajawal platform. Sri Lanka, which boasts of its diverse landscape, cultural attractions and beautiful beaches, has also emerged as a vacation hotspot during Eid Al Adha break.
Switzerland also gained popularity this year, with considerably more flight bookings to Zurich compared to last year as UAE travellers seek the combination of vibrant urban life and nature in all its glory.
The booking data also shows growth in the number of people jetting off abroad in search of colder climates and a preference for city breaks with a boom in hotel reservations in Toronto, London, Paris, Amsterdam and Baku.
Since the Eid Al Adha holiday period for public and private sector employees is expected to last up to four days, the average length of hotel stay has dramatically increased by 43 per cent as residents seek to experience far-flung destinations and their diverse culture. The trends seem to continue with the average length of hotel stays up from three to seven days compared to 2018.
Muzzammil Ahussain, EVP of tajawal, said: "Looking at our current booking trends, it appears more families and holidaymakers in the UAE are indulging in longer holidays, particularly overseas during the Eid Al Adha period. From Zurich to closer-to-home destinations such as Kuala Lumpur and Sri Lanka, we are witnessing that a vast majority of travellers are opting for city sightseeing abroad over a local staycation this holiday season. Interestingly, more travellers in the UAE are also now choosing low-cost carriers for long-haul flights and favouring to stay in mid-range hotels over their luxury counterparts for an authentic experience in cities across the globe."
The flight bookings with low-cost carriers have increased in 2019 compared to last year as UAE travellers get away this summer without the price tag of a full-service flight abroad and take advantage of new long-haul routes by regional airlines. -
sandhya@khaleejtimes.com