Families in the United Arab Emirates preparing for the October 2026 school break are increasingly favoring shorter-haul destinations over long-haul international trips, according to travel industry officials. The half-term holiday, which runs from Monday, October 12 to Friday, October 16, with schools reopening on Monday, October 19, has prompted many to consider destinations closer to home such as Georgia, Azerbaijan, and the Maldives. Economy airfares for these routes are currently ranging from approximately Dh1,400 to over Dh4,500.
Mehar Sawlani, director of sales at Richmond Gulf Tourism, noted a clear preference among UAE travelers for trips of shorter duration and reduced transit time. Destinations including Georgia and Baku in Azerbaijan, along with the Maldives, are attracting notable attention. Sawlani also highlighted that travelers are starting to look ahead to the upcoming winter season, with Seychelles, Maldives, and Almaty expected to be popular choices. She attributed the continued elevated fare levels in part to limited airline capacity but predicted lower rates as more carriers, including Indian airlines, expand their services in the region.
Demand extends beyond short-haul trips, with Sapna Aidasani, marketing director at Pluto Travels, pointing to growing interest in Finland among UAE tourists eager to witness the Northern Lights. Despite European airlines not having fully restored their pre-pandemic schedules, Emirates has launched flights to Finland, contributing to increased bookings. Aidasani also reported sustained strength in travel to Far East destinations, with significant corporate and group travel, including company retreats, supporting this segment.
T.P. Sudheesh, general manager of Deira Travels, observed that some travelers who postponed summer trips are now shifting their plans to the winter season, further increasing demand across various routes. This trend, compounded by the upcoming UAE National Day holiday, is maintaining upward pressure on fares, particularly for flights connecting the UAE with the Indian subcontinent and Far East. Sudheesh anticipates that fares, which remain elevated through December, may gradually normalize as airlines adjust capacity and pricing in response to clearer demand forecasts. However, persistent factors such as rising fuel costs may limit the extent of fare reductions.
These developments come amid a broader regional tourism outlook that forecasts sustained growth despite disruptions observed in 2026. According to recent tourism trend analyses, international visitor spending in the Middle East is projected to reach $116 billion by 2030, representing a 57 percent increase from 2025 levels. Travel across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region is expected to grow 17 percent in 2027, outpacing the global growth forecast of 8 percent. Analysts emphasize that while current geopolitical and economic uncertainties have introduced some volatility, consumer demand for travel remains resilient.
The rebound in travel activity is reflected in booking data, with average family trip expenditures rising by 6 percent year-on-year. Additionally, bookings through retail travel outlets have increased by 16 percent, while social media-driven bookings have tripled, underscoring the expanding influence of digital channels on consumer travel decisions. For families traveling during the October break, these shifts highlight a trade-off between paying higher prices for longer-haul vacations and opting for more accessible, affordable short-haul destinations.