By Justin Varghese
Dubai: As Eid Al Adha kicked off summer travel plans earlier this month, many UAE residents made a surprising travel choice 鈥 they stayed home, or opted for nearby getaways instead.According to Visa鈥檚 latest Travel Pulse: Eid Al Adha Edition, domestic getaways saw a major boost, with more residents trading long-haul trips for local luxury, restaurant-hopping, and short escapes within the UAE. While popular cities like London, Paris, and Istanbul still drew their usual crowds, the data shows a growing number of UAE-based travellers are embracing staycations as the smarter, cooler alternative 鈥 literally and financially..Will UAE residents turn to staycations as Iran-Israel conflict disrupts summer travel plans?.New break trend: short and nearbyVisa found that 87% of UAE residents preferred short getaways over extended trips this Eid (June 5鈥8). Whether that meant a quick flight to Europe鈥檚 cooler climates or a luxury stay within the country, the shift reflects changing priorities 鈥 convenience, comfort, and curated experiences.Though outbound travel rose slightly by 2% from last year, spending habits revealed UAE travellers weren鈥檛 splurging indiscriminately. London topped the list of international destinations, accounting for 4% of all outbound travellers and 5% of total overseas spend. Paris and Istanbul followed, both offering distinct travel value: Paris for luxury shopping, and Istanbul for affordability and retail appeal.Yet, the biggest surprise came from within the UAE itself.Staycations saw a surgeVisa鈥檚 data shows that domestic spending jumped 68% year-on-year, while spend per card rose 20%, signaling a strong staycation boom.More UAE residents are choosing to re-explore Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, with stays centered around fine dining, shopping, and family experiences.Dubai led the way, claiming 70% of local spend and more than half of all domestic travellers.Abu Dhabi captured 21% of staycationers, with major spending on upscale experiences.Sharjah, known for its cultural charm, saw a 33% share of spending on food and dining among its visitors.Salima Gutieva, Visa鈥檚 VP and Country Manager for the UAE, said the findings reveal a 鈥渄ual trend鈥 in UAE travel habits: 鈥淲hile many UAE residents took advantage of short-haul getaways to cooler destinations like London, Paris, and Istanbul, others embraced high-quality local experiences.鈥漌hat鈥檚 behind the staycation shift?Experts point to several factors:Travel fatigue from long-haul planning and airport crowdsDesire for family-friendly, instant getawaysRising awareness of homegrown luxury and leisure offeringsTailored card rewards and partnerships that make local travel more appealingWith more merchants now offering Visa-exclusive deals, and banks promoting early booking rewards, the appeal of a premium weekend in Ras Al Khaimah or a food-focused retreat in Abu Dhabi is becoming hard to ignore.Bottom line for UAE travellers?This Eid showed that getting away doesn鈥檛 always mean going far. Whether it鈥檚 the air-conditioned comforts of a 5-star Dubai hotel or exploring Sharjah鈥檚 food scene, staycations are no longer the backup plan 鈥 they鈥檙e the main attraction.