Some UAE residents spend over Dh10,000 per person on summer travel

Some UAE residents are spending more than Dh10,000 per person per trip on international travel and tourism this summer, according to a new study released on Wednesday.

Released by consumer insights provider Toluna, the survey found that 24 per cent of UAE travellers plan to spend over Dh10,000 per person on their trips, while 26 per cent expect to spend between Dh7,500 and Dh10,000, 21 per cent between Dh5,000 and Dh7,500 and 22 per cent between Dh2,500 and Dh5,000.

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The survey found that Turkey holds broad appeal among UAE travellers, especially among those aged 29 to 44. Younger travellers aged 18 to 28 show strong interest in tropical destinations like the Maldives and Malaysia, while older travellers prefer more familiar or accessible locations.

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Japan is more popular among younger and middle-aged groups than among those aged 45 to 60. India, the second most mentioned destination overall, sees its highest interest among older respondents, but this is almost entirely driven by expat Asians returning home for the holidays.

Thanks to high per capita and disposable income, the UAE residents travel to different countries during the summer, mainly to cooler climes in Europe and other tropical destinations.

Destination planning

According to the survey, 60 per cent of respondents plan to travel internationally this summer, while 21 per cent are opting for leisure trips within the Emirates. 15 per cent were not sure if they would travel, and only 4 per cent reported having no travel plans, highlighting a strong appetite for summer exploration.

When it comes to choosing travel destinations, safety and security and natural scenery rank as the top priorities for all UAE travellers.

Just over one-third of Emiratis are more likely to emphasise shopping and gastronomy, while just 22 per cent cite visiting family or friends. Among expat travellers, 43 per cent cite spending time with relatives as a key reason for travel, reflecting the tradition among many expatriates of returning home during holidays.

Among Emiratis, top destinations in 2025 include Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US, reflecting both regional accessibility and aspirational long-haul interest. In contrast, expats show more diverse travel intentions. India leads at 11 per cent, driven predominantly by expat Asians, with nearly one in four (23 ) planning to travel there. Other top choices include Turkey, Thailand, Japan, and the UK.

AI assistant for planning

Among the tech-savvy UAE population, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) is growing not just in workplaces, but also in other aspects of life, such as planning for travel and tourism.

The survey found that nearly 9 out of 10 — 87 per cent — of UAE residents use generative AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini to help plan their travel trips.

Nearly half — 46 per cent — of UAE residents said they use AI assistants for activity suggestions, 42 per cent for translation, 41 per cent to find the best deals, 38 per cent to uncover hidden local spots, 37 per cent for restaurant recommendations, 31 per cent to optimise itineraries.

“From discovering local gems to organising daily plans and navigating foreign languages, generative AI is finding its way into every aspect of travelling. What stands out is how AI is breaking generational boundaries, not just digital natives, but older travellers, too, are embracing these tools, with around 40 per cent of 45-60-year-olds using AI for deals, activities, and translation,” said Danny Mendonca.

“The shift we’re seeing confirms that adoption of AI chatbots is not a future trend; it’s a present-day reality that’s reshaping behaviour across age groups,” he said.

Waheed Abbas

waheedabbas@khaleejtimes.com

Waheed Abbas is Assistant Editor, covering real estate, aviation and other business stories that directly affect the lives of UAE consumers. He frequently reports human interest stories, too.