Abu Dhabi tops UK Christmas holiday demand for 2025
Dubai holds third spot as festive search demand stays strong
DUBAI – Abu Dhabi has been named the UK’s most in-demand holiday destination for the Christmas season, as new data shows a sharp rise in festive travel searches in 2025.
According to analysis combining Google search trends and booking data, interest in spending Christmas in the UAE capital has surged over recent months, reflecting a broader shift among British travellers towards long-haul winter sun escapes. The findings highlight how festive travel preferences are evolving as UK travellers plan further ahead for seasonal breaks.
Long-haul travel specialist Travelbag analysed its internal booking data from 2024 alongside UK Google search volumes recorded over the past three months. The study identified both the most popular festive destinations last year and the locations attracting the strongest interest for Christmas 2025. Abu Dhabi emerged at the top of the rankings for future demand, while destinations such as Dubai, Vietnam and Mauritius also recorded strong growth.
Search surge
Abu Dhabi ranked first among festive destinations based on UK search growth, recording a 91% increase in Google searches over the past three months. The rise places it ahead of Vietnam, which ranked second with an 86% increase, and Dubai, which took third place with search demand up by 82%. Mauritius followed with a 56% increase, while Costa Rica recorded a 55% rise. The Maldives, South Africa and Bali also featured among the top ten, underlining sustained UK interest in long-haul destinations during the festive season.
| Rank | Destination | Three month change in UK Google search volume |
| 1 | Abu Dhabi | 91% |
| 2 | Vietnam | 86% |
| 3 | Dubai | 82% |
| 4 | Mauritius | 56% |
| 5 | Costa Rica | 55% |
| 6 | Maldives | 50% |
| 7 | South Africa/Sri Lanka | 24% |
| 8 | Bali | 23% |
| 9 | Canada/Caribbean/Mexico | 22% |
| 10 | Thailand | 14% |
The data suggests Abu Dhabi is increasingly being viewed as a premium Christmas escape, combining warm winter weather with large-scale festive events and luxury hospitality. Vietnam’s strong performance reflects growing interest in Southeast Asia, while Dubai’s third-place ranking confirms its continued appeal as a winter sun destination for UK travellers.
2024 favourites
While Abu Dhabi leads future demand, the data also sheds light on where Britons travelled for Christmas in 2024. New Zealand was the UK’s most popular festive destination last year, with bookings during the Christmas period increasing by 105% compared with the rest of the year. The destination’s shared cultural traditions with the UK, alongside summer weather in December, helped drive its popularity.
| Rank | Long-haul destinations | Average festive period room bookings vs 2024 |
| 1 | New Zealand | 105% |
| 2 | Costa Rica | 79% |
| 3 | Australia | 66% |
| 4 | Thailand | 63% |
| 5 | Dubai | 20% |
Costa Rica ranked second for festive bookings, with Christmas travel up 79% and a significant 600% increase in bookings year on year from 2023 to 2024. Average December temperatures in the mid-20s°C and strong eco-tourism appeal contributed to its rise. Australia placed third, recording a 66% increase in festive bookings, followed by Thailand in fourth place with bookings up 63%.
Dubai completed the top five most popular festive destinations in 2024, with Christmas-period bookings rising by 20%. The emirate’s consistent performance highlights its established position in the UK holiday market, particularly during the winter months when demand for warm-weather destinations peaks.
Dubai demand
Dubai’s presence across both datasets underlines its resilience as a festive travel choice. While it ranked third for Christmas 2025 search demand, it also featured among the most-booked destinations during the 2024 festive season. The emirate’s combination of beach resorts, large-scale retail events and winter festivals continues to attract UK travellers seeking a balance of relaxation and entertainment.
The 82% increase in UK searches for Dubai-related Christmas travel places it narrowly behind Vietnam and confirms that demand remains strong despite increasing competition from emerging long-haul destinations. Dubai’s consistent booking growth also reflects its accessibility from the UK and its reputation as a reliable winter holiday option.
Looking ahead
The study indicates that festive travel planning among UK travellers is becoming more forward-looking, with search interest for Christmas 2025 already showing sharp increases across multiple destinations. Abu Dhabi’s leading position suggests growing confidence in the destination as a festive holiday choice, while Dubai’s continued popularity points to sustained demand for established winter sun hubs.
Other notable trends include strong growth in interest for Vietnam and Mauritius, alongside continued appeal for destinations such as the Maldives and Costa Rica.