7 in 10 UAE Residents to Spend More on Travel in 2025 – Some Ready to Shell Out Dh18,000 Each. As the world slowly emerges from the effects of the pandemic, the travel sector is experiencing a significant shift, and UAE residents are at the forefront of this change. According to the latest report from global travel search engine Skyscanner, nearly seven out of 10 UAE residents, or 71%, plan to travel in 2025, reflecting a growing desire for cultural exploration, unique experiences, and memorable vacations. This surge in travel is driven by the fact that many individuals have accumulated savings post-pandemic and are eager to use their resources for enriching experiences.
Why Are UAE Residents Investing More in Travel in 2025?
As Amanpreet Singh, the global chief commercial and strategy officer at Travelwings, points out, the global political and economic climate, while uncertain, has not deterred UAE residents from investing in vacations. This is largely because the desire to escape the pressures of daily life and seek relaxation and well-being has become even more urgent in recent years.
The economic stability of the UAE, coupled with the fact that many residents are employed in high-paying jobs, means they are more financially prepared to take vacations. The country’s tourism industry has also adapted significantly to meet the demand for safety and reassurance, ensuring that people feel secure while traveling.
Types of Travel Experiences
In the past year, UAE residents seemed more focused on cultural exploration, often looking to enrich themselves through the experience of new places and different customs. However, as we look forward to 2025, Skyscanner reports a marked shift towards more collective experiences, where the emphasis will be on creating memories, bonding with friends and family, and seeking unique shared experiences. This reflects an overall trend where people are prioritizing meaningful travel over simply ticking off destinations from their bucket lists.
Wellness and Unique Travel Trends
Some of the prominent travel trends in the UAE for 2025, as highlighted in the Skyscanner report, include a strong focus on nostalgia travel, wellness retreats, and unique travel experiences. Many travelers are seeking to revisit destinations that remind them of their childhood dreams or explore new places that offer relaxation and rejuvenation.
- Sleep Tourism: This growing trend focuses on travel experiences designed to enhance rest and well-being. People are seeking destinations that offer peaceful environments, sleep-friendly amenities, and relaxing activities that promote rest and restoration.
- Wellness and Relaxation Retreats: Retreats that offer yoga, meditation, spa treatments, and holistic therapies are becoming increasingly popular among UAE residents. These wellness-focused vacations are seen as a way to disconnect from the fast-paced lifestyle and recharge both physically and mentally.
- Nostalgia Travel: A trend that involves revisiting places that hold sentimental value, whether childhood destinations or dream locations from the past, UAE residents are eager to indulge in nostalgia travel and relive the experiences that defined their early lives.
How Much Are UAE Residents Willing to Spend on Travel?
UAE residents are showing a willingness to spend significantly on vacations, with many willing to invest anywhere between Dh5,000 and Dh10,000 for family holidays. Deepika Anush, a Dubai resident, shared that allocating funds for family travel is critical for her family’s mental health.
“I don’t feel guilty about spending Dh5,000 to Dh10,000 on a trip. This is our time as a family, and I wouldn’t trade this for anything else,” Anush said.
For residents like Anush, who lead busy lives balancing work and family responsibilities, travel is an important way to reconnect and create lasting memories. As a result, many families are opting for relaxing destinations, such as Zanzibar, where they can unwind without the pressure of a fast-paced itinerary.
As Akram Adel, the general manager at Al Tayer Travel, noted, the UAE’s high-income levels and diverse range of travel options contribute significantly to the country’s stable and flourishing travel culture. With more disposable income, many residents are opting for luxury vacations, investing in high-end accommodations, and indulging in unique experiences that are worth every penny.
For younger travelers, typically aged 22-27, budgets tend to fall between Dh2,500 and Dh3,500 per person. This age group often looks for affordable travel packages that offer cultural experiences and adventure activities, reflecting a balance between cost and adventure.
Luxury Travel and High-End Experiences
On the other end of the spectrum, more affluent travelers are willing to spend as much as Dh18,000 per person for a week-long luxury vacation. These travelers are seeking the best in accommodation, exclusive activities, and premium services. This trend shows that luxury travel continues to thrive in the UAE, with travelers opting for experiences that offer the highest levels of comfort and indulgence.
Travel Preferences for 2025
According to the Skyscanner study, some of the most preferred destinations for 2025 will be long-haul locations, such as Japan, the US, and Latin America. This shift towards far-flung destinations suggests that travelers are increasingly willing to embark on longer journeys to experience new cultures and environments.
Additionally, the availability of affordable luxury accommodations and exclusive attractions is helping to make high-end vacations more accessible. With many travelers choosing to indulge in luxury cruises, exclusive resorts, and premium tours, this trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
New Travel Trends to Watch in 2025
As we move into 2025, several emerging travel trends will shape the future of travel for UAE residents:
- Astrotourism: With growing interest in celestial events and astronomy, more travelers are looking to destinations that offer prime conditions for stargazing. Whether it’s a desert in the UAE or a mountain in South America, the fascination with the night sky is fueling a new wave of travel experiences.
- Game-themed Travel: Gaming enthusiasts are increasingly seeking destinations inspired by their favorite video games. As many as 81% of UAE travelers are reportedly inspired to book vacations based on locations featured in games they play, giving rise to a new trend known as gami-vacation.
- Art-Venture: Art lovers are looking to engage with immersive art experiences, where they can interact with famous works of art in innovative ways. These immersive exhibitions are becoming a key part of cultural enrichment during travel.
- Horti-culture: For those interested in plants and gardens, horticultural tourism is on the rise. Travelers are seeking out beautiful gardens, floral festivals, and botanical wonders, such as the famous tulip fields in the Netherlands and the botanical gardens of Kew in London.
- Sports-Mode Travel: With the growing popularity of sports and behind-the-scenes shows, many travelers are eager to attend major sporting events like Formula 1 races or the Olympics, planning trips around the opportunity to witness live sporting spectacles.
- Reset Jetters: A significant shift towards health and wellness travel has led to the rise of reset jetters — travelers who seek to blend vacation with rejuvenation. These individuals prioritize activities that promote physical and mental health, from spa treatments to yoga retreats in tranquil locations.
Conclusion
UAE residents are proving that travel is no longer just about escaping the everyday grind; it’s about investing in experiences that offer personal growth, connection, and well-being. Whether it’s splurging on a luxurious vacation, revisiting childhood dreams, or embracing new wellness trends, the residents of the UAE are setting the tone for a dynamic and exciting travel culture in 2025.
