Brief
UAE staycation bookings jump 31% for October half‑term, Dubai leads
dnata Travel says domestic holiday bookings are up 31% year‑on‑year, driven by family‑friendly resorts in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.
By Felo News Desk · Published
UAE residents are opting for short domestic breaks during the October half‑term, with staycation bookings up 31% from the same period last year, dnata Travel said.
Dubai accounts for 78% of all staycation bookings, followed by Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, where beach resorts and hotels near major attractions are seeing the strongest demand. Properties on Yas Island and Palm Jumeirah are among the most popular, benefitting from entertainment, dining and leisure options.
Average family booking values rose six per cent year‑on‑year. Bookings through dnata Travel’s retail stores increased 16%, while those generated via social‑media channels tripled compared with last year.
"Hotels are seeing good occupancy for the October half‑term break, particularly family‑friendly beach resorts and properties with activities for children," said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. Meerah Ketait, head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, added that the trend reflects a broader shift toward convenience and flexibility.
Key facts
- Staycation bookings rose 31% year‑on‑year for the October half‑term. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Dubai accounted for 78% of domestic staycation bookings. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Average family booking values increased six per cent. (khaleejtimes.com)
- Bookings via social‑media channels tripled versus last year. (khaleejtimes.com)
Sources
- [1] khaleejtimes.com — originally reported as “October half-term: UAE staycation bookings rise 31% as families seek shorter breaks”
