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UAE families flock to snow, beach getaways as Eid travel bookings jump
Travel agents across the country say enquiries have surged, with many residents planning trips of up to 10 days
- PUBLISHED: Sat 28 Feb 2026, 5:00 AM
With Eid Al Fitr and spring break falling around the same time this year, UAE families are turning the long weekend into extended holidays, with snow destinations and beach escapes topping the list. Travel agents across the country say enquiries have surged, with many residents planning trips of up to 10 days.
“This year we are witnessing one of the strongest Eid travel surges in recent seasons,” said Imtiaz Hussain, CEO of Pinoy Tourism UAE. “The alignment of school holidays with Eid has extended average trip durations to between five and eight days, compared to the traditional three to four-day Eid getaway.”
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Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com, said families are maximising the overlap. “With Eid Al Fitr overlapping with spring break, we're seeing families turn this into seven to 10-day holidays rather than the typical long weekend escape,” he said.
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This year, Eid is expected to fall on March 18 or March 19, depending on the moon sighting. If Eid falls on March 18, it will give UAE residents a four-day long weekend.
Destinations in demand
According to Safeer Mohammed, General Manager of Smart Travels, many families are choosing visa-on-arrival destinations for convenience. “Countries that offer visa-on-arrival for UAE residents continue to be the most popular destinations,” he said. “This is followed by Russia. Many families say their children was to explore snow, so parents are asking for budget-friendly packages. Beach destinations like Phuket and Krani are also popular.”
Raheesh pointed out that Europe is also trending this year. “Switzerland, France, Greece, Spain and even Japan are emerging as top picks,” he said. “For shorter breaks, Thailand, Bali, Malaysia, Vietnam, Turkey and Singapore remain family favourites.”
Imtiaz added that Turkey, especially Istanbul and Cappadocia, are popular among UAE travellers and that southeast Asia was also performing particularly well due to attractive flight pricing.
All-inclusive packages
Travel companies say UAE residents are increasingly choosing hassle-free packages. For this, they are willing to pay a premium as well.
“Demand has shifted toward all-inclusive bundles that include flights, airport transfers, breakfast and accommodation,” said Raheesh.
Safeer noted that fixed departure packages are proving popular because they offer better value.“If customers book tickets and plan activities themselves for CIS countries, it may cost around Dh4,000,” he said. “But our all-inclusive fixed departure packages cost about Dh3,000.”
Imtiaz added that many were choosing multi-city itineraries to maximize experiences. “During peak travel periods, customers increasingly prioritize convenience, reliability, and well-organised travel experiences,” he said. “Families are prioritising comfort and curated experiences over simply finding the cheapest deal.”
He also pointed out that flexible installment options have also made it easier for travellers to plan holidays without paying the full amount upfront.
They unanimously agreed that for short-haul destinations, the average spend ranges between Dh2,900 and Dh4,500 per person. “For premium destinations like Japan or Europe, budgets range from Dh7,500 to Dh12,000 per traveller,” said Raheesh.
Last minute travel
Experts say that those looking for last-minute deals should be flexible. “Be flexible with your destination and travel dates,” Raheesh advised. “Booking six to 12 days before travel can sometimes help secure better airfares.”
Imtiaz said it was important to act swiftly once that have found a good deal. “Confirm quickly once you find availability because Eid inventory moves,” he said. “I also recommend booking through licensed travel agencies, especially during peak seasons.”
Safeer urged travellers to check document validity. “A lot of people reach the airport and find their passport doesn’t have six months’ validity,” he said. “Some countries even specify Emirates ID validity.”
