UAE Holidays: Schengen Visa Delays Prompt Residents To Pick Staycations Over Europe Travel

The expected visa delays for European countries are leading families in the UAE to postpone their travel plans and instead opt for booking staycations at local hotels, despite an increase in outbound travel this year.

According to travel experts, due to the lengthy delays in obtaining interview slots for Schengen visa applications, some residents are altering their holiday plans for the upcoming Eid Al Adha break.

In the last week of June, UAE residents are expected to get four days off to mark the Islamic festival. The break is likely to extend to a six-day weekend.

Thomas Kurian, Hotel Manager, Leva Hotels, said, “Public holidays, when combined with long weekends, always facilitate positive hotel occupancy. Demand for staycations increases during these long holidays, and we expect similar trends in the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday. While outbound travel was on the rise this year, the visa delays to European countries are likely to drive people to push their travel plans for later in the year and encourage them to book for a staycation in local hotels.”

He added, “Beach properties and resorts located in the northern emirates will be a preferred choice for staycations followed by centrally located hotels which provide convenient access to malls and other key attractions in the city.”

Experts from the hospitality industry underline they are also “anticipating increased booking from visitors from neighbouring GCC countries,” who prefer strategically located hotels, making commuting easier and more convenient.

“We expect to see a higher demand for one or two-night stays from residents residing in other emirates. Based on the prevailing trend, we anticipate bookings will pick up closer to the dates of the celebrations. This pattern aligns with the general behaviour observed in the hospitality industry during festive seasons. Overall, we remain optimistic about the potential for increased bookings and engagement during Eid,” adds Kurian.