Travel trends 2025: Where UAE residents are heading for holidays – and why
Younger travellers increasingly drawn to Caribbean and Central America escapes
DUBAI: Outbound travel from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is soaring with confidence in 2025, as nearly all residents prepare to pack their bags.
According to the latest Allianz Partners Travel Index 2025, a remarkable 98% of surveyed UAE residents have travel plans for the year ahead – driven by a desire for relaxation, cultural exploration and, increasingly, online inspiration.
The study, conducted between 11 and 19 February 2025 by Kantar Consumer Link, surveyed 500 UAE adults and revealed key insights into where they’re heading, how much they’re spending, and what’s on their minds while planning.
Top destinations
The Middle East and North Africa region has emerged as the top travel choice, followed by the UK and Europe, then Asia. North America and Canada also remain firm favourites, while Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and other Pacific islands round off the top five international picks.
Interestingly, younger travellers aged 18–29 are breaking the mould. While the general population showed only 5% interest in the Caribbean and Central America, that figure more than doubles among this younger demographic, with 11% naming these regions as their go-to destinations for 2025.
Trip patterns
When it comes to frequency and length of travel, 34% of respondents travel at least twice a year. Households with higher income levels tend to travel more frequently, with some taking five or more trips annually. The sweet spot for holiday duration lies between 9 and 15 days, while travelling with family remains the most preferred arrangement, cited by 45% of respondents.
Travel motivators
Planning and inspiration for holidays are also undergoing a shift. While 56% travel primarily for rest and relaxation, nearly half (46%) are motivated by cultural experiences. Planning typically spans up to three months before departure.
As for where ideas are coming from, family and friends remain key influencers for 58% of travellers. However, digital inspiration is catching up rapidly – 55% look to social media, with YouTube leading the trust rankings at 74%, ahead of Facebook (72%) and Instagram (69%).
Budgets and barriers
Spending habits among UAE travellers are bold. Around 34% plan to spend over $3,000 (approximately Dh11,000) on their next holiday. In contrast, only 3% will budget less than $500 (around Dh1,800). Travel frequency and spend are directly influenced by income: while high-income households spread budgets across multiple trips, lower-income families tend to plan one annual holiday with a tighter budget and prefer regional, shorter breaks.
Despite strong travel intent, several concerns linger. Personal safety is the top worry for 44% of respondents, closely followed by extreme weather events at 41%. Financial anxieties, flight disruptions and scams also made the list. Among younger travellers, 32% are particularly concerned about losing travel documents, whereas those with higher incomes cited geopolitical tensions as a major issue.
Rising insurance uptake
Another key trend is the growing interest in travel insurance. A significant 76% of UAE travellers now plan to purchase insurance before heading abroad, primarily for peace of mind. The uptake is even more pronounced among those booking trips through online travel platforms.
Allianz Partners’ Regional Managing Director for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Vinay Surana, remarked on the findings: “The Middle East, Europe and Asia continue to top the wish lists for UAE travellers in 2025. It’s fantastic to see travellers not only prioritising meaningful travel experiences but also actively seeking protection through travel insurance.”