DUBAI: Dubai’s travel sector is expecting a sharp increase in flight and hotel bookings as the India-Pakistan clash in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaches on February 23. With only weeks remaining, travel companies are reporting a steady rise in demand, with expectations of a booking frenzy as the match draws near.
Experts predict a surge in bookings, particularly from cricket fans in India, Pakistan, and other nations with strong cricket followings. Airfares are expected to increase by 20% to 50%, with last-minute bookings potentially seeing prices double.
Rikant Pittie, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, shared with Khaleej Times that demand for flights and hotels spikes significantly before an India-Pakistan match. He cited the 1,550% surge in accommodation searches in Ahmedabad during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup as an example, anticipating similar patterns in Dubai.
Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, added that while bookings are rising steadily, the real surge will occur in the final two weeks. He advised travelers to secure bookings early, as waiting for last-minute deals could result in limited availability and higher prices.
Key departure cities for the match include Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad in India, as well as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad in Pakistan. Hotels in popular Dubai areas like Deira, Downtown, and Dubai Marina are already seeing high occupancy rates, with demand expected to peak as the match day nears.
In previous tournaments, hotel prices surged by 25 to 50 percent, with some instances seeing prices rise by up to tenfold. Travel agencies are offering packages combining flights, hotel stays, and match tickets. For the 2025 match, similar package prices are expected, with costs for luxury hospitality options offering exclusive match-day screenings and themed dining experiences.
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Travel experts urge fans to book early to secure the best rates and availability, warning that delaying could result in significantly higher prices and fewer options.
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