Surge in UAE staycations as residents postpone overseas holidays amid global travel woes

Al Etihad

5 days ago

24 June 2025 00:15
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)With geopolitical tensions disrupting global air traffic, many UAE residents are putting travel plans on hold and turning to domestic staycations as a safer, more convenient alternative.Kawthar is among those shelving overseas holiday plans. She had initially considered a summer getaway to Europe with friends but ultimately decided against it due to the risk of flight cancellations. Instead, the 22-year-old Emirati and her friends - group of 10 - are booking a private villa with a pool in Abu Dhabi's Al Bahya area.
'There are still so many ways to enjoy summer here,' she told Aletihad . 'A day at a villa can cost between Dh700 and Dh1,000, and over Dh1,500 if we're staying overnight, but it's worth it for the privacy and peace of mind.' Kawthar also enjoys horse-riding on the beach or relaxing at Kai Beach on their women-only days.Abilash Mahtw, a ticketing staff member at a UAE-based travel agency, said there had been a noticeable uptick in domestic vacation bookings this summer.
'Because of the current situation, there's been about a 50% increase in demand for local getaways compared to last year,' he told Aletihad . 'Resorts in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and parts of the Western Region are especially popular. These areas offer resort-style hotels.'Global travel uncertainties, including visa delays and unexpected flight cancellations, have contributed to the trend, Mahtw said.'We're seeing a lot of cancellations,' he said. 'Many travellers are choosing to pause their international plans. If a flight gets cancelled, we process the refund, no problem. But many are choosing to avoid that stress entirely.'Some - like Hisham, a newlywed UAE resident - are using this time to reconnect with loved ones and unwind locally.
'My wife and I were planning to go to Georgia this summer, but with all the flight disruptions, we decided on a weekend resort in Fujairah instead,' he told Aletihad . 'It's peaceful and quiet.' Sarah Al Junaibi, another travel agent, said many UAE residents with booked international trips were hoping the situation would calm down by July or August.
'But we're seeing a definite rise in bookings for staycations and local experiences, especially for families,' she told Aletihad . For Egyptian expat Mariam, a mother of two, this summer was meant to be their first family vacation abroad since relocating to the UAE earlier this year.
'We had planned to visit Turkey in late July, but with all the uncertainty, we're staying put,' she said. 'It's our first summer here, and there's still so much to explore indoors anyway, like museums and aquariums.'