India has emerged as the most popular travel destination for UAE residents planning getaways during the upcoming National Day long weekend, according to new data from global travel platform Skyscanner.
The UAE government confirmed that 1 and 2 December will be public holidays to mark the 54th National Day, giving residents and citizens a four-day break including the weekend. While temperatures are cooling across the Emirates, many travellers are still looking abroad for the holiday period, with Indian cities leading the search rankings.
India tops UAE holiday searches
Skyscanner’s data, compiled from searches between July and November, shows that Kozhikode, Kochi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, New Delhi and Kannur were among the ten most-searched destinations for trips between 28 November and 4 December.
The platform attributed the popularity of these cities to their strong cultural appeal, short flight times and convenient connections from the UAE. Manila, London and Cairo also featured among the top choices.
According to Skyscanner, most residents are planning short breaks, with 79 per cent of searches focused on trips of up to one week. On average, travellers began searching around 54 days before their intended departure.
In the overall country rankings, India took the top spot ahead of Pakistan and the United Kingdom. Egypt, the Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka rounded out the top ten destinations.
Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, said: “Holidays during the UAE’s National Day celebrations have always been popular for travellers and this year is no different, as people look to make the most of the long weekend by flying overseas. Convenience and ease of accessibility are two key major factors when it comes to selecting trip locations and we are seeing that locations in Europe and Asia continue to be popular choices.
“It is no surprise that six of India’s cities featured in the top 10 list, while it is also ranked first ahead of Pakistan and the UK for destination countries. Given that flight times range between three and four hours, as well as a mix of cultural and leisure options, it’s clear why travellers are opting for India for a quick getaway.”
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