Wego’s latest travel data shows growing interest among UAE travellers in October city breaks, with Istanbul, Munich and Krakow recording year-on-year increases in searches as demand evolves beyond the peak summer season.
According to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) travel
marketplace, searches for Istanbul increased by 14% compared with October 2025,
while Munich and Krakow recorded rises of 9% and 7%, respectively.
The figures highlight continued interest in international
destinations, particularly across Europe and Türkiye, as travellers plan autumn
holidays.
Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said:
“October gives us a useful view of how travel demand from the UAE evolves
beyond the peak summer period. What matters is not only which destinations are
attracting attention, but how prices are moving and when travellers are
choosing to book. Looking at these signals together gives us a clearer picture
of how UAE travellers are navigating choice, cost and timing as they plan their
next trip.”
Travel costs are also shaping decisions, with Wego’s booking
data showing higher average return flight prices for UAE travellers heading to
Istanbul.
The average return flight booking value from the UAE to
Istanbul stands at approximately AED2,171 ($591), compared with AED1,954 in
October 2025, marking an 11% year-on-year increase. Average hotel rates in the
Turkish city are approximately AED572 per night.
The figures provide an indication of the costs travellers
are facing when planning autumn getaways, alongside the destinations attracting
the strongest interest.
Booking patterns have remained broadly consistent with last
year, although UAE travellers are reserving flights slightly earlier.
Wego data shows that flights for October departures are
being booked an average of 25 days before travel, compared with 23 days for
October 2025 departures.
For overseas accommodation, the average booking window
stands at 17 days, indicating that travellers are also planning hotel stays in
advance, though closer to their departure dates than flights.
The data offers a snapshot of how UAE travel demand is
developing beyond the summer peak, with destination preferences, airfare
changes and booking lead times providing insights into consumer behaviour.
As the final months of the year approach, Wego’s findings suggest that international city breaks remain an important part of the UAE autumn travel market, while rising fares on some routes highlight the importance of considering costs and booking timing when planning trips. -TradeArabia News Service