- Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah ranked top choices across key global markets
- Hotel experiences influenced destination decisions for over three quarters of travellers
- Sharjah searches surged among German and Swiss travellers seeking cultural depth
- Longer stays signaled deeper engagement with UAE hospitality offerings
Hotel-first travel shaped how the world planned its holidays in 2026, and the UAE emerged as a clear winner. Fresh insights from Skyscanner revealed that Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah ranked among the most sought-after destinations for travellers from Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and South Korea. Rather than chasing landmarks alone, travellers increasingly based their decisions on where they would stay and how those spaces made them feel.
Skyscanner’s Travel Trends Report 2026 highlighted a noticeable shift toward destinations that balanced accessibility with character. Sharjah stood out strongly in European markets, recording a 101 percent rise in searches from Germany compared to 2024, and a 99 percent increase among Swiss travellers in 2025. Cultural heritage, beaches, and affordable flight options positioned the emirate as an appealing alternative to more familiar city breaks.
Dubai continued to benefit from its seamless connectivity and visa-free access for Canadian travellers, alongside a notable 16 percent drop in average flight prices compared to 2024. Abu Dhabi also gained momentum, particularly among South Korean travellers, driven by a 27 percent decrease in prices in 2025. Together, these trends reinforced the UAE’s appeal as both a practical and aspirational destination.
Accommodation emerged as the defining factor behind these choices. According to the report, 76 percent of travellers selected destinations based purely on hotel experiences, with Gen Z and Millennials leading this shift. For younger travellers, hotels were no longer just places to sleep, but central to the holiday itself, offering relaxation, design-led spaces, and curated experiences that shaped the overall trip.
Supporting this, separate Skyscanner data showed Dubai recorded an 89.7 percent increase in advance hotel redirect searches compared to 2024. Travellers also planned to stay longer, averaging six days per visit in 2026, up from four days the previous year. This pointed to a desire for slower, more immersive holidays anchored by comfort and quality.
The UAE’s diverse hotel landscape played a major role in sustaining this momentum. From beachfront resorts with private access to urban properties close to theme parks and shopping districts, accommodation options catered to a wide range of travel styles. Luxury, innovation, and convenience blended to create environments that felt like destinations in their own right.
Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, noted that hotels had been central to the UAE’s growing appeal. As travellers increasingly chose destinations through the lens of accommodation, the country’s hospitality sector continued to evolve with family-focused facilities, service-led experiences, and thoughtful design.
As 2026 travel plans took shape, the data made one thing clear. The UAE’s cities were no longer just places to visit, but places to stay, unwind, and build an entire holiday around!
