Hotels in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are preparing for a bustling Eid Al Adha as occupancy rates rise sharply, with reports indicating that over 50% of hotel rooms are already booked.

Industry analysts predict that this figure could reach full occupancy as the holiday approaches, driven primarily by an uptick in staycations and an influx of visitors from neighboring Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

The timing of the holiday, which does not coincide with school breaks, has also encouraged families to make the most of the extended weekend.

In Dubai, Saturday is projected to be the peak day of occupancy, with 55.6% of rooms booked according to data from the CoStar Group, while Abu Dhabi anticipates Friday to be its busiest, showing 51.6% booking levels.

Kostas Nikolaidis, a senior account manager at STR, highlighted the sustained demand for accommodations between Friday and Tuesday leading into the holiday.

Nikolaidis noted, "Demand for accommodation will continue to rise as we get closer to the dates and people finalize their plans," attributing this surge to both local residents seeking staycations and international visitors.

The statistics reflect booking information up to May 26, with expectations that reservations have increased significantly as the holiday nears.

Paul Bridger, the chief operating officer of Rove Hotels, forecasts almost full occupancy across his hotels, stating that there is notably high demand at beachfront properties and those near shopping and entertainment areas.

Current nightly rates range between Dh399 and Dh899, and Rove Hotels are offering special promotions, including complimentary breakfasts and room upgrades.

Jan Hanak, managing director for Radisson Hotel Group's operations in the UAE and other GCC countries, reported an increase in bookings compared to last year, particularly in Dubai, driven by robust interest from other GCC nations.

He anticipates notable growth in both average room rates and occupancy levels as the holiday approaches.

The UAE's travel market appears to be flourishing, with Dubai recording a 3% annual increase in international visitors, reaching 5.31 million during the first quarter of the year.

Overall, 2024 saw Dubai attracting 18.7 million international tourists—an increase of 9% from the previous year.

In contrast, Abu Dhabi welcomed 1.4 million overnight guests during the same period, generating hotel revenues of Dh2.3 billion ($626.2 million), which represents an 18% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Ras Al Khaimah, another emirate focusing on tourism growth, reported 1.28 million overnight visitors last year and is aiming for 3.5 million by 2030, with the upcoming $5.1 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort expected to reshape the local hospitality landscape upon its 2027 opening.

Godly Babukutty, managing director of UAE-based Epic Travel, observed a balanced combination of staycations and outbound travel among residents, particularly to destinations in the Caucasus and Central Asia, where visa processes are less stringent.

Babukutty noted that many travel packages were sold out as of last week, underlining the ongoing demand for travel post-COVID.

He mentioned that shorter flights, particularly to cooler regions, have garnered popularity due to the oppressive heat experienced in the UAE during spring months.

Moreover, the timing of Eid Al Adha has encouraged more residents to conserve resources for travel during the summer months.