As the summer vacations approach their conclusion, UAE residents are seizing the opportunity to capitalize on last-minute travel deals. Travel experts report a surge in demand for affordable packages to countries offering visa on arrival for residents. "All our sought-after August last-minute deals to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kenya have been fully booked," stated Safeer Mahamood, general manager at Smart Travels. "Residents are eager to maximize their holidays before schools resume." With just over two weeks remaining in the summer vacation for UAE school students, most schools are set to reopen on August 26.
Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, noted an increase in bookings. "EaseMyTrip has experienced a 20-30% rise in bookings compared to last year, particularly to destinations near the UAE like Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia," he said. "There has also been a noticeable trend among UAE travelers opting for cooler climates. Additionally, August is the most economical month for booking round-trip flights."
Many residents are choosing to visit Salalah to enjoy its weather. "The Khareef season is ending soon, so people are rushing to experience the rainy weather and greenery," explained Safeer. "Our packages start at Dh999 and are in high demand. Other popular options include Langkawi, Penang, and Thailand, starting at Dh3999."
Kunaal Nanik, Director of Marcopolo Holidays, mentioned that other last-minute destinations in August include Sri Lanka, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Balkans. "Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan offer rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural beauty," he said. "All-inclusive 4-5 day trips range from Dh4,000 to Dh4,500 per person, with combined trips of two countries costing between Dh5,500 and Dh6,500. Sri Lanka provides diverse landscapes ideal for couples and families, with a five-day trip costing between Dh3,500 and Dh4,000 per person."
Easymytrip has introduced special last-minute deals on flights and hotels. "We are providing up to Dh500 off on one-way and round-trip flights," said Rikant. "Our holiday packages to popular destinations like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Singapore start at just Dh999."
Several factors influence UAE residents' choice of last-minute holiday destinations. "Most of these destinations are short-haul flights from the UAE, ideal for spontaneous travel," said Kunaal. "Combining neighboring countries for a 7 to 10 day trip enriches the experience and saves on flight costs by allowing travelers to depart from a different country, avoiding future return trips. This method efficiently explores multiple cultures and attractions in one journey, maximizing the travel itinerary."
Rikant noted that the platform sees numerous customers booking last-minute deals. "These deals are primarily for our holiday packages where customers bundle services to accommodate their last-minute travel plans, while advance bookings are more typical for flights," he said. "Our top five destinations include India, Singapore, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia."
