{
  "id": 13058720,
  "title": "Eight family-friendly half-term staycations in the UAE",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/eight-family-friendly-half-term-staycations-in-the-uae-13058720",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T07:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/travel/2026/10/09/eight-family-friendly-half-term-staycations-in-the-uae/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During the half-term holiday, UAE residents have found solace in staying close to home, with a 31% surge in domestic vacation bookings this year. Dubai leads the way, accounting for 78% of these staycations, but other Emirates offer their own unique family-friendly options.\n\nDubai Parks and Resorts, now reopened, provides thrilling theme park experiences, while Yas Island in Abu Dhabi boasts a diverse range of activities. Hotels such as Rove At The Park and Yas Plaza Circuit offer convenient access to theme parks, with included breakfast and tickets. Yas Plaza Circuit even provides complimentary meals and stays for children under 11.\n\nFor beach lovers, Fujairah's east coast provides a more relaxed atmosphere. Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort offers a deluxe sea view room with breakfast, while Centara Mirage Beach Resort marks its fifth anniversary with family-friendly activities.\n\nFamilies who prefer city living can explore Palm Jumeirah or Sharjah's Aljada district. Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah offers a package including breakfast and complimentary stays for children under 11, while Vida Aljada in Sharjah provides a 20% discount and early check-in for direct bookings.\n\nFor those seeking spacious accommodations, Elara Villas in Dubai Creek Resort offer four-bedroom villas with pool views and golf course access. Alzorah Beach Resort in Ajman, located just an hour from Dubai, offers a secluded mangrove environment with direct beach access, daily breakfast, and a variety of family activities.",
  "summary": "You might not be jetting off with the family for cooler pastures this half-term holiday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a change of scenery. Research shows the demand for staycations in the UAE is booming, with dnata Travel reporting a 31 per cent increase in bookings compared with the same period last year, with Dubai accounting for 78 per cent of that. Thankfully, options for domestic…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Eight family-friendly half-term staycations in the UAE",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/eight-family-friendly-half-term-staycations-in-the-uae",
        "published": "2026-10-09T07:30:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}