UAE Three-Day Weekend: Families Stay Home as Couples Travel
The upcoming UAE three-day weekend is shaping up to be different from the usual summer travel rush. With the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday public holiday falling on Friday, August 28, residents will have a three-day break from August 28 to 30.
However, travel companies say families are showing limited interest in overseas trips this time. The timing of the holiday, just before schools return, means many parents are staying home and preparing for the new academic year.
Instead, couples and groups of friends are driving demand for short international breaks. Travel companies have reported interest in destinations including Phuket, the Maldives, Istanbul and Montenegro, with easy visa access playing an important role in last-minute decisions.
Thailand, China, London, Trabzon and South Africa are also among destinations being booked. Some travellers are also extending the three-day break into longer holidays.
Travel agents said residents are turning the public holiday into five- to seven-day trips, particularly where flight schedules and prices make longer stays practical.
For families who are not travelling abroad, local staycations remain an attractive alternative. UAE hotels and leisure destinations offer residents a way to enjoy the long weekend without the cost, airport queues and travel time associated with international trips.
The trend also highlights how visa accessibility is increasingly influencing travel decisions among UAE residents. Montenegro, for example, is offering visa-free entry until October 1 to eligible UAE residents who meet specific conditions.
With schools preparing to reopen, the August long weekend could therefore see a split in travel behaviour: families staying closer to home while couples and friends use the extra day for short getaways.
