Dubai, UAE, 19 March 2024: Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), reveals the top travel trends for Ramadan 2024 in the UAE.
Holiday season is just around the corner, and Wego has noted a spike in demand for flight and hotel reservations from the UAE in the lead up to the festive season.
International flight reservations show promising growth
According to Wego data, international flight bookings from the UAE for travel in February have surpassed the numbers during the same period last year by 70.1%.
The consecutive occurrence of Ramadan, Eid al Fitr, and spring break in 2024 is anticipated to encourage the same YoY leap in bookings for trips scheduled in the coming months.
Rise in airfares
As we enter the holy month of Ramadan, Wego data showed that airfares to some destinations may get even more expensive this year.
The average airfare to the Philippines, a favored destination for UAE travelers, is now AED 1,331.93, compared to AED 895.56 in 2023.
Meanwhile, YoY average prices for flights to the UK and Germany have risen by 23.88% and 60.42% respectively.
Wego anticipates that ticket prices for popular destinations will continue to climb, especially with more families potentially planning getaways during the holidays.
Surge in hotel occupancy and room prices
Amidst a bustling month teeming with significant events like the Gulfood trade show, Dubai Duty Free tennis championships among others, Dubai has observed an uptick in hotel occupancy rates in February 2024, with bookings on Wego surpassing last year’s figures by 23.2%. Concurrently, the average Dubai hotel room rates have experienced a YoY surge of 20.3%.
Dubai hotel occupancy and daily rates may still move in an upward trajectory through the next few months, as Wego’s data indicates that demands for staycations among UAE residents also typically grow during Ramadan weekends and Eid al Fitr holiday.
High travel interest for Eid this year
Eid al Fitr in the UAE this year is expected to witness a jump in outbound air traffic compared to last year’s Eid. Wego has observed nearly a four-fold increase in flight searches from the UAE for travel during Eid 2024 compared to Eid 2023.
Wego forecasts an even heightened interest later as more UAE travelers finalize their travel arrangements in the weeks or days leading up to the celebration.
Top destinations for UAE traveler during Eid al Fitr
Based on Wego’s data, India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan are the most sought-after destinations for travel between March to April 2024. The list of countries may hint at homecoming trips for UAE’s huge expat communities looking to capitalize on the lengthy holidays.