More travellers in the UAE are opting for longer breaks and travelling to exotic countries over the Ramadan and Eid period, according to UAE travel management company musafir.com. The company has reported a significant surge in travel bookings ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com, stated that approximately 25 – 28 per cent of the bookings made by customers are for longer holiday packages. This trend is attributed to the alignment of Eid Al Fitr holidays with school spring breaks, allowing many families to take longer time off.

Emily Jenkins, Senior Manager at DW Travel, also confirmed the trend towards a longer length of stay when booking holidays. Factors contributing to this trend include the rising cost of airline tickets, likely due to increased demand and capacity restraints, as well as delays and difficulties in attaining visas.

Furthermore, more companies are offering flexible working options, allowing employees to work abroad at the start or end of their annual leave.

Eid al Fitr is expected to fall on Wednesday, April 10, providing residents with a six-day break extending from Tuesday, April 9 to Saturday, April 13. The sixth day of the holiday will be on a Sunday, which is a weekend. Most schools across the UAE have a term break beginning by mid-March.

The most popular destinations for this long vacation trend are mainly in Europe, with countries like Greece, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy being top choices. Additionally, CIS countries like Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are sought-after destinations due to hassle-free visa processes, affordability, and immersive cultural experiences. Uzbekistan is also gaining popularity for its accessibility and affordability.

Other popular locations for this trend include Maldives, Sri Lanka, the UK, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Zanzibar, Poland, Kenya, South Korea, and Bali. Due to longer waiting times for visas, there is an increased demand for travel to Asia due to easier visa processes.