All-inclusive ski holidays and Arctic adventures are emerging as major winter travel trends among UAE residents, according to booking data from dnata Travel.
Demand for snow-based and cooler-climate destinations is
rising across Europe and Asia, with Japan entering the company’s top five
most-booked international destinations for winter 2026/27.
Finland, France, Switzerland and Georgia are also recording
strong year-on-year booking growth and climbing dnata Travel’s top 20 winter
destinations.
The trend reflects growing demand for experience-led
holidays, including skiing, snowboarding, Arctic activities and nature-focused
escapes.
All-inclusive ski
packages are proving particularly popular by combining accommodation, meals,
lift passes and lessons.
Finnish Lapland is attracting travellers with Northern
Lights experiences, husky and reindeer safaris, while Japan combines renowned
powder snow and extensive ski terrain with culinary experiences and traditional
hot springs.
France and Switzerland continue to appeal to premium
travellers seeking alpine resorts, while Georgia is gaining popularity as a
more affordable ski destination.
Improved connectivity is also supporting demand, with Emirates’ new Dubai-Helsinki service due to launch next month, offering easier access to Finland and Northern Europe.
Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata
Travel, said: “We're seeing a clear shift towards experience-led winter travel.
More UAE travellers are choosing holidays that offer memorable outdoor
experiences, whether that's skiing some of the world's best slopes, exploring
the Arctic wilderness, or witnessing the Northern Lights in Lapland. These
trips offer a complete contrast to the region's warmer climate, which is a
major part of their appeal.
She added: “At the same time, we're seeing growing demand
for all-inclusive ski holidays among families, couples, and groups. Travellers
value the simplicity and certainty of having key elements of their trip
included in one package, allowing them to focus on the experience and make the
most of their time away.” -TradeArabia News Service
