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3 in 4 UAE residents opt to stay home, enjoy local Eid Al Fitr celebrations
A local poll revealed that safety concerns and flight uncertainties are driving people to pick dining and family outings over international travel
- PUBLISHED: Thu 19 Mar 2026, 5:16 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
A new poll showed that three out of four UAE residents plan to stay in the country during this Eid Al Fitr break, opting to enjoy local activities rather than travel abroad. Rising regional tensions have prompted many to cancel earlier plans and instead decided to spend time doing their favorite activities in the country.
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The survey, conducted by entertainment discovery platform Platinumlist, found that only 9 per cent of respondents are planning to travel abroad this year, compared with last year's steady trend when UAE residents preferred international getaways.
Roughly half of those staying behind cited safety concerns, flight disruptions, or the fear of being stranded abroad, while the other half pointed to personal reasons such as family time, work commitments, or a preference for a quieter holiday at home.
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Dubai resident Farah Sarfraz was one of those who decided to stay behind for Eid. “My family and I had planned our Eid travel months in advance, but given the current situation, it no longer felt like just a question of flying out but also about the uncertainty of returning,” she said. “With our family, including our dog, based here, Dubai is home for us. In times like these, staying close to home and following official guidance feels like the best choice, for our personal situation.”
She, along with her husband and daughter, instead decided to make the most of the situation by going for a staycation and enjoying their holidays in the country.
Since the start of the US-Israel-Iran war, thousands of flights have been cancelled or rerouted across the region. As flight schedules have slowly begun resuming, many UAE residents who were stuck outside, often picked longer routes and adjusted plans to get back into the country.
Favourite Eid Al Fitr activities
The poll also revealed how residents plan to spend their holidays. For most, Eid remains a time for family gatherings: 68 per cent will spend the holiday with family or friends, with three-quarters meeting in small groups of two to six, and 16 per cent gathering in larger parties of seven or more. Only six per cent had solo plans.
Activities have shifted toward safe, familiar, and group-friendly options. Over 58 per cent of respondents plan to dine out, while 41 per cent are choosing outdoor activities suitable for mixed-age groups and moderate budgets. Nearly 26 per cent are looking forward to live music, showing that residents still seek entertainment, though in settings and experiences that feel secure and shared rather than solo plans and high-risk or costly travel.
“The Eid survey mirrors what we have seen across the platform since late February,” said Cosmin Ivan, CEO at Platinumlist. “The audience has shifted. Dining and family outings lead because they feel safe and familiar. But over half of the respondents still plan to buy tickets, and a quarter are excited about live music. For organisers, this is the moment to stay visible and support people with relevant activities.”
Entertainment spending expectations are conservative with 33 per cent planning to spend approximately between Dh500 andDh1000 on entertainment over Eid, and 28 per cent hoping to spend under Dh500. Two-thirds of respondents expect a mix of free and paid activities.
