As the highly anticipated Eid Al Etihad break approaches, dnata Travel is revealing the most popular international destinations for UAE travellers in 2025. In order of popularity, the top five most booked locations this year are the Maldives, Thailand, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Sri Lanka.
The private island resorts of the Maldives are dominating traveller bookings, up more than 100% compared to the same period last year. The team at dnata Travel attribute this upswing in demand to an impressive range of offers currently available during a sought-after time to travel to the islands, with between 30 to 50% savings on a travellers’ stay remaining available at popular resorts.
Winter sun in Thailand also continues to prove popular during early December, with direct flights to the islands of Phuket and Krabi taking centre stage, with increased connectivity from the UAE.
Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “With the expectation of a longer school holiday this December, we are seeing travellers combining their Eid Al Etihad break with the wider winter period for extended stays, or multiple trips. Bookings are up this year by 53% overall, including local and international stays.
“December marks the best time of year to travel to the islands of the Maldives and Thailand for weather and swimming conditions. In contrast, the UK is popular for its festive atmosphere and winter markets as the weather cools and evenings get darker. Umrah travel demand is up for Saudi, while Sri Lanka is popular for more extensive itineraries for exploration, and excellent value for money.
“For travellers staying closer to home, a trend we’re witnessing is a focus on resort properties away from the city, in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman, and on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island.”
Across the wider winter months for 2025, other destinations rising in popularity for UAE traveller bookings include the Seychelles islands, alongside South Korea, the Netherlands, USA, and Finland. Traditional winter destinations in Europe are starting to gain traction for festive markets and ski seasons, alongside bookings for unique winter experiences in Finnish Lapland.
Travellers can explore dnata Travel’s winter offers at dnataTravel.com or speak to a travel expert in-store across its 14 retail outlets, including popular locations in Dubai Mall, Dubai Hills Mall, and further across the UAE. Savings and added extras can be discovered across trending winter sun, ski, and festive-market-themed breaks. Gulf cruises, rising in popularity during the winter months, are also available with sailings across Eid Al Etihad, the festive period, and New Year’s Eve.
Top offers for Eid Al Etihad 2025 include a stay in the trending destination of the Maldives at the 5-star Kurumba Maldives with dnata Travel in a Deluxe Bungalow on all-inclusive, with return speedboat transfers, from AED 6,635 per person. In ever-popular Sri Lanka, travellers can stay at Avani Kalutara Resort with dnata Travel for three nights in a Superior Courtyard View Room with breakfast daily, and return flights, from AED 3,199 per person. Conveniently departing from Dubai on 29th November 2025, a seven-night cruise on Full Board on-board the MSC Euribia can take travellers to Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Sir Bani Yas Island, and back to Dubai, from AED 3,500 per person.
To explore trending holiday destinations from the UAE with dnata Travel, visit www.dnataTravel.com. For more travel advice and inspiration, contact the dnata Travel experts via call or WhatsApp on 800 DNATA (36282), on social media @dnataTravel, email holidays@dnatatravel.com, or visit a dnata Travel retail outlet, with stores located across the UAE.
