Eid activities and air traffic activity enhance the momentum of the tourism sector in the country during the Eid al-Adha holiday

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Abu Dhabi, 25 May / WAM / The tourism sector in the UAE is witnessing great momentum during the Eid Al Adha holiday, supported by the diversity of events, entertainment and promotional offers in the various emirates of the country on the one hand, and the strong activity of air traffic and flights on the other hand.

The extended vacation until the end of this month contributes to raising hotel occupancy rates and commercial and entertainment activity.

The tourism scene in Abu Dhabi is diversified during Eid through a variety of family events and offers, as Yas Island continues to attract visitors from inside and outside the country through “accommodation and entertainment” packages and special offers at international theme parks, in addition to live concerts. The entertainment destinations on the island, including “Ferrari World Abu Dhabi,” “Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi,” and “Sea World Abu Dhabi,” also offer promotional offers and integrated entertainment experiences.

Louvre Abu Dhabi offers cultural programs and artistic experiences for families and visitors, and commercial centers and hotels in the emirate offer promotions and discounts on accommodation, restaurants and entertainment activities, in conjunction with organizing community events and live shows during the Eid holiday.

In Dubai, events and offers vary between entertainment destinations, tourist attractions and shopping centres. The emirate welcomes Eid Al-Adha with a full program of events, entertainment offers and special accommodation packages within the “Walfa” season and in celebration of the Year of the Family 2026. The offers include discounts and exclusive packages in hotels, beach and desert resorts and city hotels, with benefits such as a free night, discounts of up to 45%, and free accommodation for children, in addition to cultural and entertainment events. Dining experiences, shopping offers, and live artistic activities will take place throughout the emirate, enhancing Dubai’s attractiveness as an integrated destination during the Eid holiday.

Prominent destinations such as Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall, and the Museum of the Future attract large numbers of visitors during the Eid holiday, supported by entertainment offers, family experiences, and extensive shopping campaigns.

Global Village continues to welcome visitors with artistic performances, shopping experiences and various restaurants, after it announced the extension of its 30th season until the end of this month.

The promotional offers extend to resorts and tourism projects in Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah, with accommodation packages and special offers for Eid, in addition to family events and activities, which enhances the country’s attractiveness as a comprehensive destination for spending the Eid holiday.

This activity coincides with the growing air traffic at the country’s airports and the return of momentum to flights, in light of the high demand for regional and international travel, which supports the movement of visitors and inbound tourism in addition to domestic tourism, and enhances the performance of the hospitality and aviation sectors during the season.

Those working in the hospitality sector confirm that the Eid al-Adha holiday represents one of the most important seasonal periods for tourism activity in the country, with hotels and resorts offering special offers that include accommodation, recreational activities and restaurant services, which contributes to enhancing hotel occupancy rates and stimulating tourism and economic activity during the holiday.

Vincent Mikulis, General Manager of Ascott Hospitality and Hotels in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, said: “We have witnessed an increase in the pace of bookings during the final days leading up to Eid, with travelers completing their arrangements and plans closer to the travel date.

He added that local and regional travel plays a more important role during Eid Al Adha this year, especially in the UAE, where many travelers prefer nearby destinations and more flexible travel options. Under the current circumstances, guests give greater priority to comfort, shorter travel periods, and destinations that allow them easy access and transportation, which continues to support demand for the hospitality sector during the Eid period.

For his part, Thomas Kurian, Director of LEVA Hotels & Suites – Dubai, said that the hospitality sector in the UAE is witnessing, with the approaching Eid Al Adha, a tangible recovery in demand for short-term stays, driven by the concerted domestic tourism movement and the increasing flow of travelers from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries towards Dubai and the Emirates, as these seasons and holidays remain a major driver in increasing occupancy rates.

He pointed out that early booking indicators herald that the peak occupancy at their hotel would reach about 80%, supported by the increased demand for leisure travel and the widespread demand for “domestic tourism” during the Eid period.

He expected sharp jumps in reservations during the main days of Eid, followed by a rapid stabilization in the period immediately following the holiday, pointing out that occupancy rates remain good within the category of long-term stays.

He explained that the country’s population constitutes a fixed base for domestic tourism, while travelers from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries contribute to an increasing share of those coming to Dubai on short-term trips, and this reaffirms Dubai’s position as a preferred and ideal destination for short holidays in the region.

In turn, Julia Santana, General Manager of Barcelo Al Jaddaf Hotel, pointed to the strong demand and high occupancy rates during the Eid Al Adha period, mainly driven by last-minute bookings from local and regional markets.

She said that domestic tourism plays a pivotal role during the Eid holiday, as UAE residents are expected to constitute more than half of occupancy rates, both citizens and residents alike.

She added that the recovery in travel contributes to supporting tourism during the Eid holiday, especially from the markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which continue to maintain a strong presence in the demand for travel and tourism.