22-04-2025
Some UAE tourists spend over Dh7,000 on luxury experiences; here's why they choose the Emirates
Many tourists are influenced by targeted ads when planning their trips across the UAE, a report by Yango Ads revealed.
This statistic highlights a growing importance of data-driven advertising strategies in the tourism sector.
Yango Ads, which has released its 2025 Tourism Industry Guide, also stated in its report that the UAE continues to rise as a preferred destination, with over 20 per cent of CIS travellers choosing it in 2024 and many spending over Dh7,000 per trip on premium accommodations and experiences.
The top influencing factors for destination choice include pleasant climate which accounts for 58.6 per cent, cost of travel, visa convenience and rich cultural experiences.
Dubai's luxury experiences
Hotels, airbnbs and travel agents emphasise how they leverage user data to craft personalised advertising campaigns that highlight Dubai's luxury experiences.
David Ganji, managing director, The Holidave Travel, said, 'We study booking patterns, reviews and seasonal trends to understand what travellers are looking for.' This helps businesses suggest the right destination, hotels, and experiences to their clients at the right time.
'We personalise travel experiences for UAE-bound tourists by using Google analytics and social media that help us understand what travellers really want. For example, when people search online for luxury hotels, shopping, or family activities in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, we see these trends through targeted ads and customer feedback. This allows us to suggest the perfect holiday based on their interests and budget,' added Ganji.
Similarly, if a traveller is interested in a premium experience, agencies make sure to offer luxury hotels.
'This would include offerings like Atlantis The Palm, Armani Hotel at Burj Khalifa, or The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, along with private airport transfers and VIP-style city tours.
'For adventure lovers, we suggest activities like sky diving, hot air balloon rides, or zip-lining at Jebel Jais — the UAE's highest mountain. Our team follows the latest trends, season offers, and guest reviews to ensure that every traveller gets a trip that matches their preferences — whether it's luxury, adventure, shopping or relaxation. This way, the holiday is not 'one size fits all', but instead feels unique and memorable for each visitor," said the managing director.
Smarter campaigns
The study also revealed that 41.7 per cent of users use search engines, 21 per cent engage with Telegram ads, and nearly 20 per cent rely on social media — making timing, placement, and content more critical than ever.
Evgenii Pavlov, General Manager at Yango Ads MEA, said, 'With data-backed insights like these, UAE tourism operators, hotels, and resorts can run smarter campaigns to attract the right tourists, at the right time, with the right message.'
Meanwhile, as travel preferences evolve, even owners of holiday homes are leveraging data-driven insights to craft personalised experiences that cater to the growing demand for luxury, privacy and exclusivity.
Shilpa Mahtani, co-founder and managing director of bnbme holiday homes by Hoteliers said, 'We harness user data — including search history, location and demographics — to create highly tailored advertising campaigns showcasing Dubai's luxury offerings. Our personalisation strategies include premium preferences-based personalisation."
"High demand for privacy and exclusivity drives us to promote villa-style accommodations, beachfront apartments, and residences with panoramic views of landmarks like the Burj Khalifa. Guests also seek bespoke concierge services, including private chefs, chauffeur-driven cars, yacht charters and desert safaris," she added.
After premium preferences-based personalisation, the group focuses on experience-based personalisation. "We curate customised itineraries based on guest profiles — whether solo travellers, corporate visitors, honeymooners, or families — ensuring every aspect of their stay is aligned with their preferences and expectations,' added Mahtani.
