Tourism companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are noting a significant increase in early bookings for winter holidays, exceeding 25% compared to the same period last year. Residents of the region are actively planning trips towards the end of the year, aiming to secure the best prices on flights, accommodation, and special offers.
Travelers are striving to maximize school holidays, National Day celebrations, and New Year. They are looking for both snowy destinations in Europe and Japan, as well as shorter family trips to nearby regions.
Tourism experts emphasize that more people prefer to book in advance to avoid limited availability in popular spots and missing out on advantageous package deals that sell out quickly.
Adil Tanrıverdi, CEO of Tripventura, reported a substantial increase in early winter bookings. He noted a surge in early reservations among UAE residents ranging from 25% to 30% compared to last year.
According to Tanrıverdi, strong economic confidence in the UAE is prompting travelers to move away from spontaneous planning. Over 65% of the company's clients have already confirmed their winter itineraries long before the trip to guarantee the best accommodation options and competitive airfare rates.
Demand for winter holidays is being shown through the selection of destinations outside traditional spots. Tanrıverdi added that demand for long, educational trips has increased by 35%, with strong interest shown in Japan, the Lapland region in Finland, Switzerland, and Georgia.
Meanwhile, nearly 40% of the company's package tour volume is dedicated to short, budget-friendly family trips to Oman, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. This trend suggests that travelers are balancing the desire for luxury trips with choosing more affordable options depending on budget, time, and family commitments.
Rashida Zahid, Vice President of Operations at musafir.com, reported a significant rise in interest, noting an increase in demand of approximately 43% compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. She mentioned that package booking has started because many residents are planning trips during the long weekends for National Day and New Year.
Families are using school holidays to return to their home countries and visit relatives. Among popular destinations, according to Zahid, are Switzerland, Germany, Paris, Almaty, Armenia, Baku, and Georgia. Tourists are attracted by fairs, winter gastronomic experiences, snowfall, and sports such as skiing and snowboarding.
The diversity of destinations reflects different travel priorities: families often choose longer vacations, while couples and solo travelers may prefer shorter international trips.
Since school holiday dates are known, and residents anticipate the end-of-year public holidays, travel agencies note that clients are increasingly using the calendar for advance planning. Zahid specified that about 28% of travelers book in advance to take advantage of the best offers available at the initial launch of packages.
Tanrıverdi from Tripventura also noted that early booking helps travelers save between 15% and 20% of the total trip costs, allowing families to enjoy a comfortable vacation without having to shorten the trip duration.
The shift towards early planning affects not only the overseas trips of UAE residents. The residential housing sector in Dubai is also preparing for an active winter season, with the majority of demand generated by international guests.
Shilpa Mahtani, co-founder and managing director of bnbme Holiday Homes, stated that booking activity is increasing as Dubai enters its peak tourist season. She noted encouraging signs of demand for the next three months, emphasizing that international tourists, rather than UAE residents, are showing greater interest.
Mahtani also mentioned that current rates are slightly lower than last year, which stimulates early booking and securing better deals. The resumption of airline operations has also contributed to increased confidence and demand. Accommodation operators expect further price increases as properties fill up and availability decreases.