As Eid Al Adha kicked off summer travel plans earlier this month, many UAE residents made a surprising travel choice — they stayed home, or opted for nearby getaways instead.

According to Visa’s latest Travel Pulse: Eid Al Adha Edition, domestic getaways saw a major boost, with more residents trading long-haul trips for local luxury, restaurant-hopping, and short escapes within the UAE.

While popular cities like London, Paris, and Istanbul still drew their usual crowds, the data shows a growing number of UAE-based travellers are embracing staycations as the smarter, cooler alternative — literally and financially.

Visa found that 87% of UAE residents preferred short getaways over extended trips this Eid (June 5–8). Whether that meant a quick flight to Europe’s cooler climates or a luxury stay within the country, the shift reflects changing priorities — convenience, comfort, and curated experiences.

Though outbound travel rose slightly by 2% from last year, spending habits revealed UAE travellers weren’t splurging indiscriminately. London topped the list of international destinations, accounting for 4% of all outbound travellers and 5% of total overseas spend. Paris and Istanbul followed, both offering distinct travel value: Paris for luxury shopping, and Istanbul for affordability and retail appeal.

Visa’s data shows that domestic spending jumped 68% year-on-year, while spend per card rose 20%, signaling a strong staycation boom.

More UAE residents are choosing to re-explore Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, with stays centered around fine dining, shopping, and family experiences.

• Dubai led the way, claiming 70% of local spend and more than half of all domestic travellers.
• Abu Dhabi captured 21% of staycationers, with major spending on upscale experiences.
• Sharjah, known for its cultural charm, saw a 33% share of spending on food and dining among its visitors.

Salima Gutieva, Visa’s VP and Country Manager for the UAE, said the findings reveal a “dual trend” in UAE travel habits: “While many UAE residents took advantage of short-haul getaways to cooler destinations like London, Paris, and Istanbul, others embraced high-quality local experiences.”

Experts point to several factors:

• Travel fatigue from long-haul planning and airport crowds
• Desire for family-friendly, instant getaways
• Rising awareness of homegrown luxury and leisure offerings
• Tailored card rewards and partnerships that make local travel more appealing

With more merchants now offering Visa-exclusive deals, and banks promoting early booking rewards, the appeal of a premium weekend in Ras Al Khaimah or a food-focused retreat in Abu Dhabi is becoming hard to ignore.

This Eid showed that getting away doesn’t always mean going far. Whether it’s the air-conditioned comforts of a 5-star Dubai hotel or exploring Sharjah’s food scene, staycations are no longer the backup plan — they’re the main attraction.