Wego has shared some fascinating insights into the travel patterns of Saudi and UAE residents during Eid al-Fitr and Ramadan.
The study revealed that travellers from both countries exhibited a strong appetite for travel during these significant periods, with a notable surge in demand for international destinations, strategic booking patterns, and a renewed interest in staycations.
Increased travel duration and diverse destinations
Saudi travellers, in particular, are opting for longer holidays, with the average Eid trip duration increasing by two days compared to 2024. This trend is driven by a desire to maximise holiday time and explore new destinations. While traditional favourites such as Egypt, India, Pakistan, Turkey, and the UAE remain popular, Saudi travellers are also venturing further afield to Europe, Asia, and other parts of the Middle East.
In contrast, UAE residents displayed a strong preference for international travel during Ramadan, with a 32.45% year-over-year increase in flight searches. The top destinations for UAE travellers during Ramadan include Egypt, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Philippines, Lebanon, Morocco, and Nepal.
Staycations on the up
Interestingly, the study also highlighted a significant surge in domestic travel searches by Saudi residents, with a 15.57% YoY increase. The most popular domestic destinations for Eid 2025 include Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Madinah, and Abha.
Strategic booking patterns and rising airfares
Both Saudi and UAE travellers exhibited strategic booking patterns, with many opting to book their travels well in advance. This trend is particularly pronounced among UAE residents, who tend to plan their Ramadan trips over a month in advance.
Wego also shared that airfares have been on the rise, with significant increases observed in flight prices to popular destinations, such as Egypt and Lebanon where steep hikes of 42.29% and 40.94% respectively have been observed.
Affordable luxury staycations
Despite the rise in airfares, the OTA shared that travellers can still find value in staycations. Average Dubai hotel rates during Ramadan have plummeted by 54.04% YoY, driving a 3% increase in local staycation searches. UAE residents are opting for affordable luxury, with 4-star hotels dominating preferences and accounting for 40.15% of bookings.
Founded in 2005, Wego is dual headquartered in Dubai and Singapore with regional operations in Bangalore, Riyadh, Cairo, Lahore, and Kuala Lumpur. Providing unbiased comparison of travel products and prices the OTA enables travel shoppers to secure the best deals avaiable.
