A growing majority of people in the UAE say they would rather receive an experience than a physical present this festive season, according to a new survey released by Platinumlist, the Middle East entertainment discovery platform.
The findings were drawn from more than 500 respondents and reflect broader shifts in consumer behaviour as the value of the UAE gifting market is projected to reach US$19.7 billion by 2033.
Platinumlist reported that 74.4 per cent of residents prefer gifting or receiving experiences, marking a decline in demand for material goods such as electronics and jewellery. The company said 64.1 per cent of respondents chose experience gifts because they create lasting memories, while 20.5 per cent felt they were more personal and unique.
UAE shifts toward experience-based gifts
The trend is reinforced by the region’s young demographic profile. People under the age of 30 make up around 55 per cent of the MENA population and studies referenced in the survey show that 65 per cent of Gen Z favour emotional or experience-based gifts over physical items.
Platinumlist said this shift is expected to expand the share of holiday spending directed towards live events and leisure activities.
Concert tickets have emerged as the most sought-after experience gift, preferred by 63 per cent of those surveyed. The UAE’s live entertainment market is forecast to reach US$22.9 billion by 2033, with music events accounting for the largest share.
Staycation vouchers were the next most popular category at 18.5 per cent, followed by luxury brunches at 7.4 per cent. Adventure activities, family attraction passes and spa vouchers each attracted 3.7 per cent of interest.
Entertainment industry sees experiential shift
Spending habits indicate a cautious but steady appetite for leisure. Just over half of respondents plan to spend between AED250 and AED500 per gift. Looking ahead to the upcoming busy season, 43.5 per cent expect to keep their monthly entertainment budget below AED500 while an equal share plan to spend between AED500 and AED1,000.
Platinumlist also reported that nearly 9 in 10 residents intend to attend a concert or live music event over their next long weekend. Interest in immersive formats is rising, with 23.1 per cent keen to try immersive theatre for the first time in the coming year and 15.4 per cent expressing interest in niche cultural or heritage tours.
Cosmin Ivan, CEO of Platinumlist, said: “We see that live and experiential formats are becoming the top priority in leisure behaviour. People now give experience-based gifts very often, up to 5 times per year. This interest in narrative-driven engagement opens up opportunities for entertainment and hospitality businesses to design more immersive, repeatable formats and to build deeper customer loyalty.”
Platinumlist said the UAE and the wider region continue to see strong momentum in experience-led entertainment, driven by a young, digitally confident and increasingly affluent population.
Follow us on
