Travel demand from the UAE is set to remain strong in 2027,
with 92% of travellers planning to holiday abroad as much or more than this
year, according to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report.
The study highlights seven emerging trends, while showing
travellers becoming more focused on value, experiences and smarter spending.
The global travel app said 49% of UAE travellers have
budgeted to spend more on flights next year, while 39% expect to increase
accommodation spending.
The findings are based on Skyscanner’s proprietary data, a
survey of more than 28,000 travellers and insights from partners including
TikTok, ClassPass, Wise, Universal Music Group for Brands and AllTrails.
Bryan Batista, CEO of Skyscanner comments on the emerging
travel trends: “Travel is entering a new era. As people become more intentional
about how they spend their time and money, they're making different choices
about where they go, how they book and what creates lasting value. They're
prioritising meaningful experiences over material possessions, seeking
confidence in every booking decision, and, in some cases, using AI during the
planning process. At the same time, geopolitical instability is making travellers
more conscious of risk, increasing the importance of trusted information,
flexibility and transparency.”
The first trend, “Signal Severance”, reflects growing demand
for digital disconnection, with 18% of UAE Gen Z travellers planning to get
offline or disconnect as much as possible on their next holiday. Search
interest is also rising for nature-focused destinations such as Aktau and
Bishkek.
“Pilgra-merch” highlights the growing appeal of
destination-exclusive purchases. Some 76% of UAE travellers surveyed said they
had visited a specific destination or store in the past year to buy a
location-exclusive item. TikTok recorded a 1,928% year-on-year surge in views
for #TraderJoesTote content.
“Multi-Mooning” reflects a shift in honeymoon behaviour,
with 41% of UAE travellers preferring multiple holidays or “mini-moons” rather
than a single honeymoon trip.
“Grand Odysseys” points to growing interest in
history-inspired travel. Among UAE respondents influenced by classical stories,
myths or historic events, 43% cited films and television, including Gladiator
and The Odyssey, as inspiration.
Health and fitness are also shaping travel through the
“Gym-cation” trend. Some 88% of UAE Millennials said they would definitely or
likely book a hotel offering nutritionally focused breakfasts, while 49% of Gen
Z prioritise on-site fitness facilities.
“Sound Bound” highlights music and local culture as
destination drivers, with 32% of UAE travellers preferring music-based
experiences in unusual venues such as volcanoes, pyramids and caves.
Meanwhile, “Currency Chasers” reflects travellers’ efforts
to maximise purchasing power. Among UAE travellers who consider exchange rates,
59% said they had changed destinations because currency movements made another
option cheaper.
Skyscanner identified Türkiye’s Van as the fastest-growing
destination among UAE travellers, with searches up 2,607% year-on-year,
followed by Bishkek (+137%), Krabi (+88%) and Da Nang (+77%).
For value, Izmir led destinations where average airfares
have fallen, down 46%, followed by Shanghai (-44%), Sydney (-26%) and Krabi
(-24%).
Looking ahead, price remains central to travel decisions,
with “cheap flights” the most popular global prompt on Skyscanner’s Explore
with AI tool over the past six months.
UAE travellers also rely heavily on social media for
inspiration, led by YouTube (63%), Instagram (59%) and TikTok (51%).
Among future adult travellers, safety, budget accommodation
and affordable airfares were the top priorities identified by surveyed
17-year-olds in the UAE. -TradeArabia News Service
