UAE residents plan higher travel spending in 2027 as 92% maintain or increase budgets

92 per cent of UAE residents surveyed plan to travel abroad as much or more in 2027 compared with 2026, according to Skyscanner's Travel Trends 2027 report published in October 2026. The report drew on data from 28,000 travellers and proprietary search records. 49 per cent of respondents have budgeted to spend more on flights in the coming year, while 39 per cent plan to increase accommodation spending.

Destination search patterns and fare movements#

Van, a city in eastern Turkey, recorded a 2,607 per cent year-on-year increase in searches on the Skyscanner platform, followed by Bishkek at 137 per cent, Krabi at 88 per cent and Da Nang at 77 per cent. Turkey emerged as the destination with the largest average airfare decline, down 46 per cent year-on-year. Shanghai followed with a 44 per cent drop, Sydney with 26 per cent and Krabi with 24 per cent. Interest in nature-focused destinations rose, with searches for Aktau up 189 per cent year-on-year.

Travel motivations and purchasing behaviour#

76 per cent of UAE travellers surveyed said they had visited a specific destination or store in the past 12 months to purchase a location-exclusive item. Films and television shows such as Gladiator and The Odyssey influenced 43 per cent of UAE respondents whose travel plans drew on classical stories, myths or historic events. 59 per cent of UAE travellers who consider exchange rates said they had switched destinations because currency movements made another location cheaper. Carnival experiences appeal to 36 per cent of Gen Z and 31 per cent of Millennials surveyed, with music acting as a travel driver.

Accommodation preferences and honeymoon trends#

88 per cent of UAE Millennials surveyed said they would book or likely consider booking a hotel that offers breakfast designed for nutritional performance, while 49 per cent of Gen Z respondents look for fitness facilities on site. 41 per cent of UAE travellers surveyed prefer multiple holidays or mini-moons to celebrate a honeymoon rather than a single extended trip. Among Gen Z travellers surveyed in the UAE, 18 per cent plan to switch off digital devices during their next holiday.

Digital detox and wellness focus#

Health and fitness considerations are shaping hotel selection criteria among UAE residents. The survey recorded rising interest in wellness-oriented accommodation features and nature-based destinations. The report identified shifting patterns in how different age groups approach travel planning and destination selection, with Gen Z and Millennial cohorts showing distinct preferences in accommodation amenities and trip structure.