While the coming holiday to mark the Prophet Mohammed's birthday gives UAE residents a long weekend, travel agents say not everyone is rushing to the airport, with back-to-school preparations limiting family trips.
There is, however, increasing demand for travel among couples and friend groups.
The Prophet Mohammed's birthday is on the 12th day of Rabi Al Awal, which this year falls on August 25 of the Gregorian calendar.
However, the public holiday has been set for Friday, August 28, resulting in a three-day weekend for both the public and private sectors.
According to Hasa Al Harthi, head of corporate and leisure at DW Travel, travel demand from families is "limited".
"We are seeing a slightly different travel pattern for the upcoming August long weekend, as it falls just before the return to school," she said. "Family demand has been relatively limited, with more bookings coming from couples and groups of friends who have deliberately avoided the peak summer period."
Raja Mir Wasim, manager at International Travel Services (ITS), has also observed the same trend for the coming holiday, with an increasing number of couples and groups of friends taking trips.
"Although demand for travel hasn't been affected, it has been priority-driven since families have taken their holidays earlier and it is now people without children who are travelling," Mr Wasim said.
As travellers search for convenient breaks that maximise the extra day off, destinations offering easy access, competitive pricing and minimal travel hassle are proving especially popular.
Popular travel destinations
DW Travel's data showed that, for shorter trips, there was growing interest in Phuket, the Maldives, Istanbul and Montenegro, with visa access playing an increasingly important role in last-minute travel decisions.
"Montenegro recently introduced visa-free access for eligible UAE residents, making it particularly attractive for a spontaneous European break," said Ms Al Harthi.
She added that some residents were planning to use the extra day to extend their European holidays into September, taking advantage of better shoulder-season pricing and weather.
Mr Wasim said that tourists were also booking trips to Thailand, China, London, Trabzon and South Africa.
"People are now extending their three-day holidays and making them into five- to seven-day trips," he said.
Still an opportunity to secure a holiday
ITS is still receiving inquiries concerning last-minute travel bookings.
"However, most people booked packages two weeks ago when the holiday was announced," Mr Wasim said.
Ms Al Harthi said it was not too late to find a good deal, but that being flexible around destinations, airports, and flight times was key because return flights on the popular Thursday evenings and Sundays would naturally carry a premium.
She added that domestic holiday options continued to appeal to residents seeking convenient, cost-effective breaks during long weekends.
“UAE staycations remain a great option for travellers who want to make the most of the long weekend without the cost or travel time of flying overseas, making the most of the great summer staycation offers available in the market,” Ms Al Harthi said.
More and more people in the UAE are turning to destinations beyond Europe for their holidays, as visa issues, rising costs, and the desire for new experiences change how people travel. The travel experts agree that easy access to visas plays a big role when people decide on a destination.
Visa-free entry, visas on arrival, or simplified visas on arrival are available at many destinations for UAE residents, regardless of their passports.
Popular destinations with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access
- People of all nationalities who reside in the UAE can obtain a visas on arrival or enter freely for a period of up to 30 days in the Maldives
- In the case of Azerbaijan, an e-visa is available, or a visa can be obtained on arrival at the airport according to the type of passport
- Armenia lets most residents enter without a visa or obtain a visa on arrival. They can stay for up to 180 days.
- Georgia allows most residents of the UAE to stay without a visa for up to 90 days
- Most standard UAE residents are entitled to enter Seychelles and Mauritius without a visa for a period of up to 90 days
- Kenya has a no-visa policy and therefore welcomes tourists without having to obtain a visa. However, you must have an electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which has to be approved at least 72 hours before your arrival
- Until October 1, UAE residents may enter Montenegro without a visa if they meet the following conditions: they have resided in the UAE for at least three consecutive years, hold a permit for a 10-day stay, travel on a direct flight from the UAE to Montenegro, and possess a valid passport or travel document along with proof of a tourist booking or travel arrangements
- UAE residents can obtain visas on arrival for Cambodia, Jordan, Nepal, Oman, Thailand, and Mauritius, but eligibility may depend on nationality
