China Turkey United Arab Emirates

About 92% of UAE residents surveyed expect to holiday abroad at least as much in 2027 as they did in 2026, according to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report, with many also setting aside more money for flights and accommodation.

The travel search company said 49% of respondents had budgeted to increase spending on air tickets next year, while 39% planned to allocate more to accommodation. The findings draw on Skyscanner proprietary data and insights from 28,000 travellers.

Turkey was identified as the destination with the largest year-on-year fall in average airfare, at 46%. Shanghai in China followed with a 44% decrease, while average fares were down 26% for Sydney, Australia, and 24% for Krabi, Thailand.

Search activity also pointed to growing interest in several destinations. Van, in eastern Turkey, recorded the largest year-on-year increase in searches, rising 2,607%. Bishkek followed at 137%, ahead of Krabi at 88% and Da Nang at 77%.

Travel preferences highlighted in the report

Skyscanner said some UAE travellers are looking for breaks from their digital routines. Among Generation Z respondents, 18% said they intended to disconnect from digital devices during their next holiday. Interest in nature-oriented locations was also reflected in search increases for Aktau, up 189% year on year, and Bishkek, up 137%.

Shopping is also influencing where people travel. The report found that 76% of UAE travellers surveyed had gone to a particular destination or store over the previous 12 months to buy an item available exclusively there.

For honeymoon travel, 41% of UAE respondents said they preferred celebrating through multiple trips, or so-called mini-moons, rather than a single holiday.

Classical stories, myths and historical events are another influence on holiday planning. Of UAE respondents whose travel plans had been inspired by these themes, 43% cited films and television programmes including Gladiator and The Odyssey.

Hotel amenities linked to wellbeing were also among the preferences identified in the survey. Eighty-eight per cent of UAE Millennials said they would definitely or likely book a hotel offering a breakfast geared towards nutritional performance. Among Gen Z travellers, 49% said they looked for fitness facilities at their accommodation.

Music and carnival experiences featured as potential travel attractions for 36% of Gen Z respondents and 31% of Millennials. Currency value remained a factor in destination choices as well: 59% of UAE travellers who take exchange rates into account said they had changed their destination because another location was more affordable due to currency differences.