UAE travelers flock to Thailand, Maldives, and Mauritius this summer

dnata Travel, the UAE’s longest-serving travel provider, has reported a 35% rise in international travel bookings for July and August 2024 compared to the same period last year. As one of the busiest travel weekends approaches, dnata Travel is assisting thousands of travelers with pre-booked itineraries and last-minute requests through its multiple channels, including 14 retail outlets across the country.

For July and August, the most popular international destinations for dnata Travel customers from the UAE are Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius, Turkey, and the UK. Notably, Mauritius has surged into the top three most-booked holiday spots, showing significant growth alongside Germany and Malaysia.

This summer, international trips dominate the travel agenda, making up 90% of overall bookings, while UAE staycations account for just 10%. In contrast, during the Eid al-Adha break in 2024, the split was 65% international travel and 35% staycations, indicating a marked increase in demand for outbound travel.

Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, noted, “International travel is in high demand this summer. Destinations like Mauritius, Malaysia, and Germany are experiencing some of the strongest growth. Mauritius and Malaysia offer world-class beaches and resorts at affordable prices, while Kuala Lumpur is popular for its skyline, shopping, and dining. Germany’s vibrant cities are also attracting many visitors this month, especially with the UEFA European Football Championship taking place.”

dnata Travel experts continue to monitor travel trends and collaborate with international partners to provide exclusive rates and added perks for the local market. Their summer campaign features last-minute bookings for trending beach and city breaks worldwide.

Highlighted offers include holidays in top summer destinations such as Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius, and Turkey. One standout offer is a three-night stay at the 5-star Pimalai Resort and Spa in Krabi, Thailand, on a Full Board basis with extras like an excursion, a spa treatment for adults, and an activity for kids, along with return flights and airport transfers, starting from AED 4,000 per person.