Travel experts in the UAE are witnessing a significant increase in inbound travel for Eid Al Fitr this year, largely due to favorable weather conditions. Despite a slowdown in business travel, airfares are rising by at least 20% as Eid Al Fitr holidays coincide with the school spring break. Eid is expected to fall on March 31, while schools begin their spring break on March 18. This overlap has led to heightened demand, resulting in increased travel fares.
Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com, noted a 30% surge in holiday bookings during the Eid and Spring Break period, with a notable increase in outbound travel. Popular destinations include Switzerland, Italy, Latvia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Kenya, Zanzibar, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Travel fares have increased by approximately 15-20% compared to last month due to last-minute bookings.
Additionally, there is a growing trend for inbound travel within the UAE as residents invite family and friends for Eid celebrations. Holiday bookings have increased by about 25% this month compared to last month, driven by strong interest in outbound travel. Several UAE-based, regional, and international airlines are increasing flights to meet this growing demand.
Reena Philip, General Manager Operations at Airtravel Enterprises and Tourism LLC, observed that airfares have increased by 20-30% this year during both Eid and school vacations. Many people choose to travel back to their home countries during this period, with significant inquiries for Europe, though Schengen visa appointments remain unavailable. Business travel has slowed down by about 30% due to Ramadan but is expected to pick up as the fasting period ends.
Certain destinations like China and Japan continue to perform well for business travel. Japan benefits from the ongoing Expo, while China sees good business performance. Other popular destinations include Vietnam, Bhutan, and Albania, with the latter gaining interest due to its visa-on-arrival policy for US visa holders.
The combination of Eid Al Fitr and school spring break has created a unique travel scenario in the UAE, with both inbound and outbound travel experiencing significant growth.
