EXCLUSIVE: LEVA Hotels on Flexible Travel Trends Across the UAE and GCC

DUBAI, UAE – Travel and hospitality patterns across the UAE and wider GCC are continuing to evolve, with shorter booking windows, more flexible itineraries and a growing blend of business and leisure shaping guest behaviour across the region. As operators adapt to a more fluid travel environment, flexibility, convenience and value are becoming increasingly important in how hotels position their offerings and respond to changing expectations.

In this Expert Insight interview with Property News International, JS Anand, Founder & CEO of LEVA Hotels, shares his perspective on the latest shifts influencing the regional hospitality sector, from the rise of bleisure travel and longer stays to how guest priorities around safety, convenience and booking flexibility are affecting hotel operations.

Interview: JS Anand, Founder & CEO, LEVA Hotels

What key travel and hospitality trends have you observed across the UAE and GCC over the past month?

Over the past month, travel patterns across the UAE and GCC have continued to shift towards shorter booking windows and more flexible plans. Travellers are still active, but they are making decisions closer to their travel dates and adjusting plans more often based on changing priorities.

How is the rise of “bleisure” travel influencing guest behaviour in the region?

Bleisure travel is becoming more common in the region. Guests are increasingly combining work and leisure in the same trip, especially in the UAE, where connectivity and infrastructure make this easy. This is leading to longer stays in some cases, as travellers extend business trips to include personal time.

Are you seeing more travellers extending business trips into leisure stays, and how is this affecting booking patterns and length of stay?

Yes, we are seeing more travellers extend business trips into leisure stays. This is having a direct impact on length of stay, with some guests adding a few extra nights either before or after work-related travel. Booking behaviour is also becoming more flexible, with changes made closer to arrival depending on work schedules.

How are guest expectations shifting in terms of value, safety, and convenience, and how are hotels responding?

Guests are focusing more on flexibility, ease, and overall value. They expect a smooth experience from booking to check-out, with simple processes and reliable service. Safety and comfort remain important, but convenience and the ease of managing the stay are also key factors in decision-making.

At LEVA Hotels, we are responding to this by focusing on flexible stay options, straightforward booking and extension processes, and services that make it easier for guests to manage their stays. We are also placing more emphasis on creating a comfortable environment where guests can easily balance work and rest, whether they are staying for a few nights or for a longer period.

In what ways are hospitality operators adapting their products and services to remain resilient in a more fluid travel environment?

Hotels are adapting by offering more flexible stay options and improving how easily guests can book, extend, or modify their stays. There is also more focus on creating spaces that support both work and relaxation, along with services that cater to short stays as well as longer visits.

Do you expect the demand for longer and more flexible stays to continue growing across the UAE and wider GCC?

Yes, we expect demand for flexible stays to continue growing. The way people work and travel is changing, and this is supporting more blended and adaptable travel patterns. Guests are looking for options that allow them to adjust their plans easily while still maintaining comfort and consistency.

Over the coming months, how do you expect regional travel patterns to evolve?

In the coming months, we expect travel patterns to remain flexible and demand-driven. Short trips, regional travel, and blended business-leisure stays will continue to be common. Hotels that can respond quickly to changing guest needs will be better positioned to stay relevant in this environment.