As Eid al-Adha launched summer travel plans earlier this month, many UAE residents took an unexpected route: staying home or choosing local getaways. According to Visa’s latest Travel Pulse: Eid Al Adha Edition, domestic trips saw a significant increase, with more residents swapping long-haul vacations for local luxury, restaurant-hopping, and short escapes within the UAE. While popular destinations like London, Paris, and Istanbul still attracted their usual crowds, the data indicates a growing trend among UAE-based travelers who are embracing staycations as a smarter, cooler alternative—both literally and financially.
Visa found that 87 percent of UAE residents preferred short getaways over extended trips during Eid (June 5–8). Whether it was a quick flight to cooler European climates or a luxury staycation within the country, this shift reflects changing priorities toward convenience, comfort, and curated experiences. Although outbound travel rose slightly by 2 percent from last year, spending habits showed that UAE travelers were not overspending. London topped the list of international destinations, accounting for 4 percent of all outbound travelers and 5 percent of total overseas spending. Paris and Istanbul followed, each offering unique travel value: Paris for luxury shopping and Istanbul for affordability and retail appeal.
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Dubai dominates local travel
The most surprising trend emerged within the UAE itself. Visa’s data revealed that domestic spending surged by 68 percent year-on-year, while spending per card increased by 20 percent, signaling a robust staycation boom. More UAE residents are choosing to re-explore Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, focusing on fine dining, shopping, and family experiences. Dubai led the way, capturing 70 percent of local spending and more than half of all domestic travelers. Abu Dhabi attracted 21 percent of staycationers, with significant spending on upscale experiences. Sharjah, known for its cultural charm, saw 33 percent of spending on food and dining among its visitors.
Salima Gutieva, Visa’s VP and country manager for the UAE, noted the findings reveal a “dual trend” in UAE travel habits: “While many UAE residents took advantage of short-haul getaways to cooler destinations like London, Paris, and Istanbul, others embraced high-quality local experiences.” Experts attribute this shift to several factors, including travel fatigue from long-haul planning and airport crowds, a desire for family-friendly, instant getaways, increased awareness of homegrown luxury and leisure options, and tailored card rewards and partnerships that enhance local travel appeal. With more merchants offering Visa-exclusive deals and banks promoting early booking rewards, the allure of a premium weekend in Ras Al Khaimah or a culinary retreat in Abu Dhabi is becoming hard to resist.
This Eid demonstrated that getting away doesn’t always mean traveling far. Whether enjoying the air-conditioned comforts of a 5-star Dubai hotel or exploring Sharjah’s vibrant food scene, staycations have evolved from a backup plan to the main attraction.
