Residents of the United Arab Emirates planning trips to popular tourist spots during the five-day UAE National Day holidays are strongly advised to book flights in advance, as demand and high oil prices could lead to an almost twofold increase in travel costs.
According to tourism industry leaders, informed travelers have already managed to find favorable offers and make bookings to take advantage of available hotel and flight prices, which have been rising over the last six months due to high oil prices.
Some UAE employees will receive a five-day leave from Wednesday, December 2, 2026, to Sunday, December 6, 2026, in celebration of the country's 55th National Day.
Rashida Zahid, Vice President of Operations at musafir.com, noted that the cost of flights to destinations popular for visiting friends and relatives (VFR) is likely to increase by 25–35 percent, while tickets to high-demand leisure destinations could potentially double.
She emphasized: 'Since residents can enjoy an extended five-day holiday, we expect a significant rise in travel demand during the UAE National Day holidays.' Rashida added that the scale of this increase will depend on the destination, airline capacity, and how early travelers make their bookings.
She stated that on these routes, prices could rise by another 12–25 percent during the National Day period, depending on availability and booking dates, and urged travelers to book early to avoid sharper price increases closer to the holidays.
Since the start of the war in the Middle East on February 28, 2026, aviation fuel prices have nearly doubled due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Rashida also reported that booking patterns have changed amid the overall regional situation: residents are now booking trips closer to departure dates, although long-haul flights and visa-requiring trips are still planned well in advance.
'The strongest signal is that demand is returning in the fourth quarter,' she said, adding that bookings are expected to grow steadily during school holidays, Diwali, National Day, as well as during Christmas and New Year.
Despite the regional background and rising oil prices, she does not forecast a drop in prices compared to last year.
'We expect that airfares during the UAE National Day holidays will remain around last year's levels or may increase, driven by higher fuel costs and persistent capacity constraints on certain routes,' stated a musafir official.
She also mentioned that the return of several European carriers to the region is a positive development, as increased flight availability can help stabilize prices. Nevertheless, she cautioned travelers against expecting last-minute discounts due to the anticipated surge in demand.
Mira Ketait, Head of Retail Sales and Leisure for the UAE at dnata Travel, stated that the UAE remains a market where many bookings are made at the last minute, with most trips being reserved three to eighteen days before departure.
Based on current bookings, the Maldives are the most popular international destination, followed by Thailand, Switzerland, and South Africa.
'Since National Day is expected to be a relatively short holiday, UAE residents prefer destinations that are easily accessible but offer a completely different experience,' she noted.
The Maldives remain a favorite due to the four-hour flight time, visa-free entry, and dry season weather in early December.
Thailand continues to attract visitors looking for diversity and good value for money, allowing tourists to combine beach relaxation, city tours, and wellness treatments in one trip, while Switzerland attracts those seeking winter holidays, offering a contrast to life in the UAE through its ski season and Christmas markets.
A representative from Emirates Holidays confirmed that island destinations are the most popular: the Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles together account for half of all Emirates Holidays bookings during the holidays, with an average stay of five nights. Half of all island trip bookings are made by couples.
Thailand also remains a strong favorite with an average stay of six nights, and Helsinki is emerging as an unexpected contender ahead of new Emirates flights launching on October 1.
Ketait added that interest is growing in new destinations such as New Zealand, Portugal, and Tunisia.
South Africa is showing the sharpest growth, increasing sales by 58 percent year-on-year, while domestic bookings within the UAE also rose by 23 percent.
An Emirates Holidays representative reported that half of all bookings for this period were made earlier in the summer, as customers sought to secure their preferred hotels and travel dates.
Families now account for 48 percent of bookings, higher than in previous years, as many combine public holidays with several days of annual leave to extend the trip, saving remaining leave for the holiday season. Couples make up 45 percent of bookings, and solo travel is also gaining popularity, the representative reported.
Mira Ketait also noted that hotel sales for departure dates during National Day have increased by 23 percent compared to the same period last year.
'Demand for the long-awaited UAE National Day holiday is very high among travelers from the UAE this year,' she concluded, pointing to the continued interest in international travel following a similar trend in the summer.
