Gulf city tops UK travel wishlist for Christmas 2025

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Abu Dhabi counts the UK in its top five source markets

Abu Dhabi has been named the UK’s most in-demand Christmas destination for 2025, while Dubai has placed third, according to new data from long-haul travel specialist Travelbag.

The study, which analyses UK Google search volumes, shows searches for ‘Christmas in Abu Dhabi’ rising 91% over the past three months, the highest increase among all destinations globally.

Vietnam ranked second with an 86% rise, followed by Dubai with an 82% lift in festive search demand. The two UAE cities are the only Middle Eastern locations featured in the top 10, joining long-haul winter-sun favourites including Mauritius, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bali.

The top 10 most in-demand holiday destinations for Christmas 2025, based on an increase in UK Google search volume, are:

Abu Dhabi (+91%)
Vietnam (+86%)
Dubai (+82%)
Mauritius (+56%)
Costa Rica (+55%)
Maldives (+50%)
South Africa / Sri Lanka (+24%)
Bali (+23%)
Canada / Caribbean / Mexico (+22%)
Thailand (+14%)

Taken together, the figures point to strong appetite for winter sun, and Dubai’s recent performance underlines the scale of regional demand. The city ranked as the UK’s fifth most-booked overseas destination for Christmas 2024, with festive bookings up 20% year on year, setting a high bar as Abu Dhabi’s profile accelerates.

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Louvre Abu Dhabi is one of a growing lineup of world-class museums in the UAE capital

Growing interest in Abu Dhabi supported by record performance

Traditionally strong with UK travellers, Abu Dhabi is posting record tourism growth in 2025, mirroring the surge in festive searches. Between January and June, the emirate’s cultural and heritage sites welcomed more than four million visitors – up 47% year on year – while 2.9 million hotel guests drove a 20% increase in revenues and pushed occupancy to 80%.

Even during the traditionally quieter summer months, Abu Dhabi performed strongly. From May to August, hotels hosted a record 2.04 million guests, a 10% year-on-year increase, while Yas Island and Saadiyat Island recorded their strongest summer on record with international visitor arrivals up 50%.

50% rise in visitors to Abu Dhabi’s Yas and Saadiyat Islands

Abu Dhabi’s cultural attractions draw 47% more visitors in H1 2025

Looking ahead, Abu Dhabi is doubling down on its appeal with a packed end-of-year calendar. Taking place just ahead of the peak festive getaway window, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025 at Yas Marina Circuit, running from 4 to 7 December, anchors the winter season with a high-spend influx of international fans.

A wave of cultural expansion, including two major museums scheduled to open in Abu Dhabi before year-end, shows how the emirate is continuing to build out its cultural and leisure offering, reinforcing its growing pull for international – including UK – visitors.

For more information, visit travelbag.co.uk