As the holiday season begins, approximately 74.4% of UAE residents are opting for experiences like staycations or concerts over traditional gifts.
New insights from Platinumlist, the Middle East’s entertainment discovery platform, highlight this trend towards shared experiences rather than material goods.
Electronics, fashion, and jewelry are no longer the default presents. Only 25.6% of participants still prefer tangible gifts.
The majority seek connection: 64.1% cite “lasting memories” as the main reason for choosing experiences, while 20.5% feel these gifts are “more personal and unique.”
Stay updated with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
With under-30s comprising about 55% of the MENA population, this trend is expected to grow.
Studies reveal that 65% of Gen Z favor emotional gifts over material ones.
“I’d choose a concert ticket with friends over another gadget — those are the moments you truly remember,” said 23-year-old Aisha Hakim, reflecting a generation that values shared experiences.
“An immersive experience feels more personal than unwrapping a gift. It’s something you feel, not just put on a shelf,” added 27-year-old Omar Abdulla.
Concerts Take Center Stage
Live entertainment is emerging as the ultimate holiday gift, with 63% selecting concert tickets as their top choice. The UAE’s music scene is thriving, poised to significantly boost a live entertainment market projected to reach $22.9 billion by 2033.
“Last month I attended a concert at Coca-Cola Arena for the ‘Why Not! Mazzika Festival’, and it was unforgettable. That’s the kind of gift I want to give — an experience, not another thing,” shared 21-year-old Leila Kiwan.
“Dubai’s live music scene offers it all — big concerts, intimate gigs, and pop-ups. Giving a ticket is like giving a memory to relive,” added Neil Varghese.
Other popular experience gifts include local staycation vouchers (18.5%), luxury brunches (7.4%), adventure activities like desert safaris and skydiving (3.7%), family attraction passes (3.7%), and spa vouchers (3.7%). Consumers are also spending strategically, with 53.3% planning to spend between Dh250–500 per gift. As the festive season nears, 43.5% aim to keep their monthly leisure budget under Dh500, while another 43.5% plan to spend slightly more, within the Dh500–1,000 range.
Experience-Led Leisure
Nearly 90% of residents plan to attend concerts or live music events during their next long weekend. Interest in interactive storytelling is rising, with 23.1% eager to try ‘Immersive Theatre’ for the first time next year. Another 15.4% are drawn to “niche cultural or heritage tours,” seeking deeper connections with their surroundings.
Cosmin Ivan, CEO of Platinumlist, stated, “Live and experiential formats are becoming a top leisure priority. People now give experience-based gifts frequently, up to five times a year. This interest in narrative-driven engagement opens opportunities for entertainment and hospitality businesses to create immersive, repeatable formats and build deeper customer loyalty.”
