60% Eid Bookings for Families; Women’s Group Travel Grows 15%
Dubai, UAE — With Eid Al Adha fast approaching, UAE residents are making bold travel plans — and musafir.com , the UAE’s leading travel platform, reveals a sharp surge in demand for longer, experience-driven international holidays. A 40% increase in Eid holiday enquiries compared to 2024 signals not just pent-up wanderlust, but also a growing appetite for premium, curated escapes.
According to musafir.com , European getaways are topping the travel charts this Eid, with Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, Latvia, and Budapest drawing strong interest from UAE residents. These destinations, along with Japan, are considered premium, once-in-a-lifetime holidays — ideal for those looking to tick off iconic landmarks, indulge in unique cultural experiences, and enjoy cooler summer temperatures. Given the longer flight times and higher investment, travelers are opting for extended 8–10-day itineraries to fully immerse themselves in these scenic and historical settings, often combining multiple cities in one trip.
Meanwhile, shorter-haul destinations in the Far East — such as Thailand, Bali, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong — continue to be hugely popular with families, particularly those traveling with children. These destinations offer the perfect mix of beachside relaxation, vibrant city life, family-friendly attractions, and affordable luxury. Their relative proximity, visa-friendly policies, and abundance of kid-centric activities make them a smart and practical choice for a 3–5 day escape over the Eid break.
“This year’s Eid travel trends reflect a deeper shift in how UAE residents view holidays — they want more than just a break; they’re looking for experiences,” said Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com . “We’re seeing demand split between bucket-list Europe trips and affordable, family-friendly Asian escapes — a clear sign that customers are prioritising value and meaning. While family-friendly and cultural experiences continue to lead the way, there’s also a noticeable rise in travellers seeking city vibes, retail therapy, and affordable luxury, especially in urban destinations across the Far East and Europe.”
Key Eid Al Adha 2025 Travel Trends at a Glance:
- 35–40% of musafir.com’s Eid bookings are to European countries, with Switzerland and Latvia topping the list due to guaranteed visa appointments and strong value-for-money itineraries.
- Family travel dominates bookings, accounting for nearly 60%, while women-only group trips are on the rise, with an expected 15% growth over last year.
- Solo travel continues to hold steady, driven largely by millennials seeking independence and flexibility.
- Customized trips remain in demand for premium travelers, while group tours are seeing a 10% rise in popularity due to cost-effectiveness and convenience.
musafir.com also noted a shift toward earlier bookings, with 60% of customers confirming their plans 3–5 weeks in advance. This is largely due to the surge in airfare costs for last-minute bookings, especially for destinations like the UK, Europe, India, and Southeast Asia.
In response to increasing travel costs, domestic staycations are also on the rise — particularly among families looking to balance Eid and upcoming summer holiday budgets. With many residents planning VFR (visiting friends and relatives) trips later in the summer, Eid becomes an ideal window for local escapes, pushing UAE hotel occupancy rates toward 100% during the holiday period.
Trending Destinations by Category:
- Luxury & Bucket-List: Switzerland, France, Japan
- Cultural & Family-Friendly: Turkey, Bali, Malaysia
- Affordable Short Breaks: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan
- Emerging Hotspots: Latvia, Morocco, Uzbekistan, AlUla (Saudi Arabia)
Travel budgets are averaging between AED 3,500 to AED 5,500 per person, with increasing interest in “affordable luxury” experiences — combining comfort, culture, and curated activities.
Most bookings are still made through musafir.com’s website or direct calls/WhatsApp, as travelers continue to seek advice and reassurance from holiday experts before locking in their plans.
“The modern UAE traveler is informed, intentional, and experience-focused,” added Babu “Whether it’s a city escape to Paris or a cultural deep-dive in AlUla, our customers are no longer just ‘going away’ — they’re crafting meaningful journeys.”