Expedia reveals top holiday searches...

London and Ras Al Khaimah among destinations seeing growth

The UK capital is in the sights of travellers from the UAE region, with searches for London deals doubling compared to the same period last year, according to data released by Expedia.

On the domestic front, the online travel agency’s data which is based on the most popular and trending destinations lodging searches for travel from September 2022 to 21 December 2024, compared to 20 June to 21 September 2024, said residents are increasingly headed to the Northern Emirates, drawn by cooler temperatures and an escape from the familiar emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Ras Al Khaimah recorded an 85% increase in searches compared to last season, which is attributed in part to its high-profile Guinness World Record celebration during New Year.

Expedia credited the emirate’s appeal to new offerings such as the Maldives-inspired Anantara Mina Al Arab, set against the Hajar Mountains backdrop and within 1.5km of mangrove lagoons.

The appeal of destinations offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry was noted, with Baku seeing a 105% increase in searches compared to last year.

In addition to London, the report also recorded an increase in searches for Paris (20%), New York (35%) and Singapore (60%).

Islands across the Mediterranean Sea including Ibiza and Mykonos are expected to have a higher influx of UAE residents too, according to Expedia’s Fall Report.

“Summer sun escapes are a firm fixture on UAE calendars, but shoulder season should be about spontaneity if you want to save hundreds on your trip,” said Expedia Group Brands spokesperson Melanie Fish.

For more information, visit www.expedia.com

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