92% of UAE travelers plan to travel abroad as much or more in 2027

Most UAE residents plan to travel more in 2027, with 92% of surveyed travelers saying they expect to travel abroad as much as or more than they did in the previous year, according to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends report.

The report draws on a survey of 1,000 UAE travellers, Skyscanner’s proprietary search data, insights from more than 28,000 travellers worldwide, and contributions from industry partners.

The report points out seven new travel trends that show how travellers’ priorities are changing, such as signal severance, which refers to trips that are planned with the aim of disconnecting from screens and constant connectivity. There is also pilgra-merch, which centres on travel based around exclusive regional products and merchandise, and multi-moonings, in which couples celebrate their marriage by taking a number of romantic trips rather than just one honeymoon.

There are grand odysseys whose destinations are drawn from history, mythology, and epic tales. Gym-cation, in which fitness and nutrition play a part in determining travel choices along with sound bound, where tourists explore destinations through the medium of music and local sounds and currency chasers, in which the availability of favourable exchange rates affects the destinations selected.

The report also highlights destinations gaining traction among UAE travellers. Van in Türkiye tops the trending destinations list, with search interest increasing by 2,607% year on year, followed by Bishkek, Krabi and Da Nang.

For travellers prioritising value, Izmir leads Skyscanner’s best-value destinations ranking, with average airfares down 46%. Shanghai, Sydney and Krabi follow.

The findings point to a shift in how travelers approach their trips, their decisions shaped by personal interests, cultural experiences and the value destinations offer.

Greater route availability and a wider range of accommodation options are also helping make more destinations accessible, while contributing to lower prices in some markets.

The report also highlights the activities UAE travellers plan to prioritise. Some 34% expect to visit historical attractions, while 33% plan to explore a museum or gallery. Meanwhile, 30% intend to bring home a souvenir, 20% plan to attend music festivals or carnivals, and 16% expect to unplug and disconnect during their travel.

“Travel is entering a new era,” said Bryan Batista, CEO of Skyscanner, noting that travelers are now becoming more intentional, prioritizing meaningful experiences over material possessions.

“At the same time, geopolitical instability is making travelers more conscious of risk, increasing the importance of trusted information, flexibility and transparency,” Batista added.

He notes that this year’s report reveals a more deliberate, discerning traveller.

“For the travel industry, that presents a clear opportunity: combine intelligent technology with reliable guidance, transparent pricing and exceptional experiences to help people get more from every journey.”