Early winter holiday bookings in UAE jump 25% as residents secure year-end deals

Travel companies in the UAE report a sharp rise in early winter holiday reservations, with bookings up at least 25 percent compared with the same period last year, industry executives say.

Residents are locking in their year-end getaways well ahead of time to take advantage of better airfares, accommodation rates and package deals, according to travel firms.

The surge in early planning covers a wide range of destinations, from snowy escapes in Europe and Japan to shorter family trips in nearby countries, as travellers aim to make the most of school holidays, the National Day break and the New Year period.

Early bookings surge as residents plan ahead

Adil Tanrıverdi, chief executive of Tripventura, said the company had recorded a notable increase in early winter bookings compared with the same period last year, with travellers keen to finalise their plans well in advance.

“Winter holiday bookings among UAE residents have officially picked up with remarkable strength this year. We are witnessing a 25 percent to 30 percent surge in early bookings compared to the exact same period last year,” he said.

“Driven by strong economic confidence in the UAE, travellers are moving away from last-minute planning — over 65 percent of our clients have already finalised their winter itineraries weeks in advance to secure top accommodations and competitive airfares.”

Rashida Zahid, vice-president of operations at musafir.com, said demand had risen by approximately 43 percent compared with the fourth quarter of 2025.

“We can see a lot of interest in winter holiday travel, and bookings for holiday packages have started,” she said. “Compared to Q4 2025, demand has increased by ~43% as a lot of residents are looking to travel during the National Day long weekend as well as during the New Year. Families are leveraging the school winter break to take trips back to their home country and visit friends and relatives.”

Snowy escapes and family getaways drive demand

Tanrıverdi noted that long-haul experiential travel had increased by 35 percent, with Japan, Finland’s Lapland region, Switzerland and Georgia attracting strong interest. Shorter, budget-conscious family holidays to Oman, Türkiye and Azerbaijan account for nearly 40 percent of the company’s holiday package volume this season.

“Long-haul experiential travel is up by 35 percent, with high demand for snowy escapes such as Japan, Finland (Lapland), Switzerland, and Georgia,” he said. “At the same time, short-haul, budget-conscious family getaways to destinations like Oman, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan account for nearly 40 percent of our total holiday package volume this season.”

The mix of destinations reflects differing travel priorities, with families often opting for longer holidays while couples and solo travellers may prefer shorter international breaks.

Zahid listed Switzerland, Germany, Paris, Almaty, Armenia, Baku and Georgia as popular choices among UAE residents, drawn to festive markets, winter food experiences, snowfall and activities such as skiing and snowboarding.

“Popular destinations among UAE residents include Switzerland, Germany, Paris, Almaty, Armenia, Baku and Georgia who are looking for authentic winter experiences such as festive markets, cosy streets and food trails, enjoying snowfall and some winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, etc.”

Early planning helps secure better deals

With school holiday dates already announced and residents anticipating the year-end public holiday period, travel companies say customers are increasingly using the available calendar to plan ahead.

Zahid said approximately 28 percent of travellers were booking early to take advantage of offers available when holiday packages were first launched.

“Since the school holidays have already been announced, and the UAE National Day public holiday is an educated guess, we see a lot of bookings happening earlier as travellers are using the time-off knowledge to their advantage to plan better & in advance,” she said. “Approximately 28 percent of travellers are booking early as there are better offers when holiday packages are launched versus closer to departure when most good offers have already sold out.”

Tanrıverdi said early bookings were helping travellers save between 15 and 20 percent on overall travel costs, allowing families to pursue more comfortable holidays without necessarily shortening their trips.

“UAE residents are travelling smarter rather than scaling back. By booking early, travellers are saving anywhere from 15 percent to 20 percent on overall travel costs, allowing families to enjoy premium vacations without compromising on trip length or comfort,” he said.

Dubai holiday homes prepare for peak season

The shift towards early planning is not limited to UAE residents travelling abroad. Dubai’s holiday-home sector is also gearing up for a busy winter season, driven largely by international visitors.

Shilpa Mahtani, co-founder and managing director of bnbme Holiday Homes, said booking activity was picking up as Dubai entered its peak tourism season, with demand for stays over the next three months showing encouraging signs.

“We are seeing encouraging demand for the next 90 days, with booking activity gaining momentum as we enter Dubai’s peak tourism season,” she said. “We are seeing stronger interest from international tourists rather than UAE residents. Rates are currently slightly lower than this time last year, encouraging travellers to book early and secure better deals. The resumption of airline services has also helped boost confidence and demand.”

Mahtani noted that December bookings at bnbme Holiday Homes were already tracking ahead of last year’s pace, a positive indicator for the winter season.

“Encouragingly, our December booking pace is ahead of the same time last year, which is a very positive indicator for the winter season,” she said. “As occupancy builds, we expect rates to strengthen progressively throughout the season. We expect prices to rise as availability reduces, rewarding those who book early.”