• 1. The Philippines is the top choice for UAE travellers this summer, with more Skyscannner flight bookings to Manila than any other destination. Photo: Cris Tagupa / Unsplash
    1. The Philippines is the top choice for UAE travellers this summer, with more Skyscannner flight bookings to Manila than any other destination. Photo: Cris Tagupa / Unsplash
  • 2. Cairo, Egypt, also ranks highly among holidaymakers. EPA
    2. Cairo, Egypt, also ranks highly among holidaymakers. EPA
  • 3. The Amman Citadel, an ancient Roman landmark in Amman, Jordan, could be a popular destination as the city has the third most bookings according to Skyscanner. Reuters
    3. The Amman Citadel, an ancient Roman landmark in Amman, Jordan, could be a popular destination as the city has the third most bookings according to Skyscanner. Reuters
  • 4. UAE travellers are also flocking to Mumbai, India. Photo: Paul Hilton
    4. UAE travellers are also flocking to Mumbai, India. Photo: Paul Hilton
  • 5. Tourists visit the waterfront in Istanbul, Turkey, the fifth most popular city according to data. Photo: Erhan Demirtas / Bloomberg
    5. Tourists visit the waterfront in Istanbul, Turkey, the fifth most popular city according to data. Photo: Erhan Demirtas / Bloomberg

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Manila, Cairo and Amman are most popular summer destinations for UAE travellers

New Skyscanner data reveals where holidaymakers are preparing to fly to

Hayley Skirka
Hayley Skirka

July 01, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

With the school year ending and Eid Al Adha holidays in sight, travellers are planning to get away this summer.

And, the most popular destination for travel from the UAE is Manila, according to the latest data from online travel agency Skyscanner.

The Eid Al Adha long weekend is scheduled to start on Friday, July 8, and end on Monday, July 11, giving travellers a four-day weekend.

Families are preparing for global travel after two years of disruption owing to Covid-19. AFP
Families are preparing for global travel after two years of disruption owing to Covid-19. AFP

In line with the coming holiday, the week beginning July 4 is the most popular for travel from the UAE.

The capital of the Philippines is the most popular destination for summer holidays, with destinations in Egypt, Jordan, India and Turkey rounding out the top five.

Top destinations for UAE travellers

1. Manila, Philippines

2. Cairo, Egypt

3. Amman, Jordan

4. Mumbai, India

5. Istanbul, Turkey

Skyscanner reveals UAE bookings in May, for July and August travel, were up by 156 per cent compared to the previous month.

It’s a similar story in Saudi Arabia where bookings increased by 325 per cent for the same period.

Travellers from the kingdom prefer Egypt over the Philippines for travel this year, with Cairo the most popular destination from Saudi Arabia on Skyscanner. London is the second most-booked destination, followed by Bangkok, Baku and Hyderabad.

“As travel restrictions have eased and traveller confidence returns, we’ve witnessed a travel revival with pent-up demand turning into millions of travellers enjoying their much longed for trips again,” said Skyscanner travel expert, Ayoub El Mamoun.

Despite the popularity of some destinations, El Mamoun says summer flights don’t have to be expensive and advised travellers to set up flight alerts to track price drops.

“Flights to popular summer destinations don’t have to cost a fortune if you know how to search for the best prices,” he added.

Thailand is top summer holiday destination

Waves break on the empty tourist beach of Patong on Phuket, southern Thailand. AP Photo
Waves break on the empty tourist beach of Patong on Phuket, southern Thailand. AP Photo

Travellers are also heading to more traditional holiday destinations this summer, according to data from dnata Travel.

The travel agency last week said Thailand is the most popular destination for holidays from the UAE this summer.

The South-East Asian country removed all Covid-19-related entry rules in June, when it scrapped the need for incoming travellers to hold a Thailand Pass.

Bangkok, Phuket and Koh Samui are the most popular destinations in Thailand for UAE travellers.

Dnata Travel also said 64 per cent of customers had booked holidays abroad, while 34 per cent had opted for UAE staycations this summer.

10 countries Sheikh Hamdan has travelled to, from Cannes to Maldives and Mongolia — in pictures

  • Sheikh Hamdan shared this picture of himself and his young son, Sheikh Rashid. Photo: Sheikh Hamdan / Instagram
    Sheikh Hamdan shared this picture of himself and his young son, Sheikh Rashid. Photo: Sheikh Hamdan / Instagram
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, playing with his grandchild on their summer holidays, shared by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. All photos: @faz3 / Instagram
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, playing with his grandchild on their summer holidays, shared by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. All photos: @faz3 / Instagram
  • Sheikh Mohammed playing with his grandson Rashid.
    Sheikh Mohammed playing with his grandson Rashid.
  • Sheikh Hamdan shared photos of himself, his family and friends shooting in Yorkshire.
    Sheikh Hamdan shared photos of himself, his family and friends shooting in Yorkshire.
  • Sheikh Hamdan rides the London Underground with close friend Badr Ateej.
    Sheikh Hamdan rides the London Underground with close friend Badr Ateej.
  • Sheikh Mohammed joined his son Sheikh Hamdan and his grandchildren on holiday this summer.
    Sheikh Mohammed joined his son Sheikh Hamdan and his grandchildren on holiday this summer.
  • Sheikh Hamdan visited the F3 Stables in the UK with his son Sheikh Rashid, 1.
    Sheikh Hamdan visited the F3 Stables in the UK with his son Sheikh Rashid, 1.
  • Sheikh Hamdan on day one of Royal Ascot in the UK.
    Sheikh Hamdan on day one of Royal Ascot in the UK.
  • An image shared to mark World Oceans Day.
    An image shared to mark World Oceans Day.
  • An image of Sheikh Hamdan scuba diving.
    An image of Sheikh Hamdan scuba diving.
  • Sheikh Hamdan preparing for the unpredictable weather during a trip to Scotland.
    Sheikh Hamdan preparing for the unpredictable weather during a trip to Scotland.
  • Sheikh Hamdan in the Maldives with the Indian Ocean in the background.
    Sheikh Hamdan in the Maldives with the Indian Ocean in the background.
  • Sheikh Hamdan takes tea on a visit to Mongolia.
    Sheikh Hamdan takes tea on a visit to Mongolia.
  • Sheikh Hamdan dressed for the cold weather during a visit to Switzerland.
    Sheikh Hamdan dressed for the cold weather during a visit to Switzerland.
  • Sheikh Hamdan cycles through the Yorkshire countryside in England.
    Sheikh Hamdan cycles through the Yorkshire countryside in England.
  • French Riviera views from a trip to Cannes.
    French Riviera views from a trip to Cannes.
  • Sheikh Hamdan makes his way through the snow in Azerbaijan.
    Sheikh Hamdan makes his way through the snow in Azerbaijan.
  • Sheikh Hamdan casts his eye over the rugged beauty in Iceland.
    Sheikh Hamdan casts his eye over the rugged beauty in Iceland.
  • Sheikh Hamdan takes a waterfall selfie in the Faroe Islands.
    Sheikh Hamdan takes a waterfall selfie in the Faroe Islands.
  • Sheikh Hamdan captures the view from the Willis Tower, once the tallest building in the world, with his uncle Saeed.
    Sheikh Hamdan captures the view from the Willis Tower, once the tallest building in the world, with his uncle Saeed.
Updated: July 02, 2022, 4:51 AM
PhilippinesEid Al Adha 2025