Hotel preferences steer UAE travellers' holiday bookings in 2026

Hotels are turning into destinations in their own right, while multi-generational trips are on the rise across the UAE, according to the Skyscanner Travel Trends report for 2026.​

 

The report, which identifies seven key trends, highlights a shift towards more personal travel, with holidays shaped by individual passions and priorities.

 

More than three quarters (76%) of UAE travellers are selecting destinations based on standout accommodation, placing exceptional hotels and resorts at the heart of trip planning. 

 

Multi-generational holidays are also gaining momentum, with 41% intending to travel with family over the next year and 31% having travelled with parents or grandparents in the past two years.

 

Both trends are good news for the region’s burgeoning cruise sector, with the ships being the stars and itineraries and facilities suited to families.

 

Adding to this shift, advances in AI are enabling more personalised itineraries, with recent data from Tourism Economics showing that 60% of UAE travellers rely on AI to organise their trips, making artificial intelligence integral at every stage, from planning to payment.

 

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5 more travel shifts in 2026

Among the year’s other standout shifts, according to Skyscanner, travellers are seeking new connections, with 82% considering international trips specifically to meet new people. 

 

This signals greater interest in hotels that curate community-driven events and experiences.

 

Literary inspiration is another rising trend, with 78% of respondents having considered destinations inspired by books – a timely trend as Visit Britain celebrates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen – and hotel searches using Skyscanner’s ‘library’ filter up 70%.​

 

Beauty continues to play a central role in travel planning for 2026, with 55% of UAE residents buying beauty products while abroad and 45% planning to shop or get treatments on holiday next year. MOre than a third (37%) say products and services are more affordable overseas.

 

Exploring local supermarkets has also become a key highlight for travellers, with 83% browsing the aisles on their trips, and 57% saying they learn about local culture by doing so. 

 

Finally, a global trend but one with extra resonance in this region is the desire to visit cooler mountain destinations, with Skyscanner’s data showing strong demand for summer next year.

 

“From shopping for beauty products, reading a book or enjoying time with your family, there are different ways that travellers in the UAE are enjoying holidays, and they can now plan their trips with greater purpose,” said Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner.

 

For more information, visit skyscanner.net/travel-trends