Expedia’s Winter Travel Outlook shows UAE residents seeking diverse, value-driven experiences with clear trends around booking dates, destination preferences and travel habits
Travel
Latest in Travel
5G
Airplane mode: Do we really need it in 2025? Experts weigh in
As airlines from the world over roll out 5G services that let passengers make calls mid-flight, the question really is – does this decades-old ritual still makes sense?
Summer holidays
UAE summer 2025: September named best month for island travel in new Expedia report
Expedia data shows rising interest in specific islands amongst UAE travellers with Cyprus in the lead
Darkness retreats
The silence revolution: Phone-free retreats, silent travel gains momentum amid rising burnout, stress, digital addiction
These practices range from “phone-free” holidays to more intensive darkness retreats, and are rising in popularity around the world with significant interest also seen in the Middle East
Cruise
Cruise giant Celestyal inks three-year tourism deal with Abu Dhabi
Celestyal is set to return to the region with two ships in December this year
Burj Al Arab
Dubai’s Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab ‘more than just a resort’ says hotel boss
Dubai’s newest luxury resort, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, offers transformative wellness, cultural collaborations, and 11 dining concepts, marking a new era in high-end hospitality
Airfares
TikTok-trending destinations see over 40% search increase, Expedia reports
Expedia’s TikTok-driven travel guide reveals top 2025 destinations with insider tips and deals
Cruise
Celestyal launches new cruises for its winter Sun season in the Arabian Gulf
The itineraries mark the cruise line’s return to Egypt after a two-year break
travel destinations
UAE travel searches follow award-nominated films, says new Expedia report
The travel company has documented significant increases in interest to locations that have appeared on screen
High Net Worth Individuals
Luxury travel for the ultra-wealthy: Inside the Dubai company that curates expeditions for the rich
The Dubai-based company has been serving clients with a net worth of over $50 million, including several celebrities, legacy families, and entrepreneurs, for over 16 years
Abu Dhabi
Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat: A Mediterranean oasis between two cities
Crisp white walls and Mediterranean flair create a genuine retreat from urban life and transport guests on an exclusive Aegean escape on the Arabian Gulf
Eid Al Fitr
UAE travellers choose international destinations; Maldives tops list of Eid Al-Fitr
Vietnam, Japan, Italy, and Switzerland have recorded the highest year-on-year growth in demand among UAE travellers
airline bookings
UAE travellers face stress when booking holidays, says new YouGov report
The study found that more than two-thirds of UAE travellers experience at least one stress point during the process
Four Seasons
Revealed: The island location four hours from Dubai where the rich carry out secret business deals, meetings
With two locations in Seychelles, the Four Seasons offers exclusivity, ultra-luxury properties and world-class amenities in response to demand from high-net-worth individuals
