Staycation bookings across the UAE have risen 31 percent for this October's school half-term break compared with the same period last year, according to new data from travel agencies operating in the country. Industry representatives say hotels, particularly family-oriented beach resorts, are reporting strong occupancy for the break.
"Hotels are seeing good occupancy for the October half-term break, particularly family-friendly beach resorts," said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. Meerah Ketait, head of retail and leisure UAE at dnata Travel, added that "the sustained popularity of staycations reflects broader shifts in traveller behaviour."
Dubai alone accounts for 78 percent of dnata Travel's UAE staycation bookings, the company said. Average family booking values are up 6 percent year-on-year, bookings made through retail stores climbed 16 percent, and reservations made via social media channels have tripled compared with last year.
Yas Island properties and Palm Jumeirah resorts are among the most sought-after destinations for residents opting to holiday closer to home. International travel demand has also grown alongside the domestic trend: bookings to Spain are up 65 percent year-on-year, while bookings to the United States rose 6 percent.
The figures suggest UAE families are increasingly splitting their half-term plans between short domestic breaks and international trips, with beach resorts and family-friendly amenities driving much of the local demand this season.