Fresh travel data from global booking platform Skyscanner reveals a strong preference among UAE residents for short-haul trips to nearby Gulf destinations during the upcoming Eid Al-Adha holiday.

Based on search data from January to April 2025, Dubai topped the list of most searched destinations for the travel period between June 5 and 9, coinciding with Eid. It was followed by Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Muscat. Notably, the week starting April 21 recorded a 48% spike in travel searches, highlighting a continued shift toward short, regional vacations.

Skyscanner’s April 2025 data shows that approximately 80% of all travel searches were for trips lasting no more than one week-further reinforcing the trend toward quick getaways. This mirrors behavior seen during Eid 2024, when 96% of bookings were to Gulf destinations and under seven days in duration.

The platform also highlighted Dubai’s growing global appeal, ranking third worldwide for hotel bookings in April 2025-behind only Mumbai and London-and fourth in May, surpassing Osaka. These rankings affirm Dubai’s status as a top global destination during peak seasons.

Skyscanner travel expert Ayoub Al Mamoun commented: “Our data indicates a clear preference among UAE residents for short Gulf-based trips during Eid Al-Adha, especially since the school year is still ongoing and summer holidays haven’t started yet.”