By TMEEX 
As the weather cools, travel executives in the UAE report a rise in seacation bookings alongside the usual increase in holiday travel. Last-minute vacationers, however, often face higher costs, with prices increasing by 15 to 20 percent due to factors such as destination, accommodation, flights, hotels, and visa availability.
The winter months, especially from mid-December to early January, see higher travel costs as schools close and many residents travel abroad for Christmas and New Year. Despite these higher prices, travel agents note that many residents continue to opt for last-minute trips during this holiday season.
Rashida Zahid, VP of operations at musafir.com, highlighted the premium associated with last-minute winter vacations. She explained that airfares, hotel rates, and activity costs typically rise as demand peaks. “As demand increases closer to the travel dates, airfares, hotel rates, and activity prices generally go up. Last-minute travelers can expect to pay 15 to 20 percent more on average than those who book in advance, depending on the destination and time constraints. Nevertheless, there are still many who choose last-minute winter vacations.”