What happened? Alfred Holdings launched CreditMarket.ae and HolidayMarket.ae on September 24, 2026, expanding its portfolio into financial services and travel.
Who is behind the launch? Alfred Holdings, the UAE-based investment group behind InsuranceMarket.ae, owns both businesses.
Why does it matter? CreditMarket.ae brings banking and financial products together in one marketplace, while HolidayMarket.ae offers holidays, staycations, visa services and other travel solutions for customers in the UAE.
- Location: UAE
- Organisation: Alfred Holdings
- Launch: September 24, 2026
- Financial platform: CreditMarket.ae
- Travel platform: HolidayMarket.ae
- Portfolio scale: More than 700 employees and over 200,000 active customers across Alfred Holdings businesses
- Digital access: Both platforms are available through their individual websites and the myAlfred app
- What’s next: Alfred Holdings plans to continue investing across consumer categories and GCC markets
What are CreditMarket.ae and HolidayMarket.ae?
Alfred Holdings has launched CreditMarket.ae and HolidayMarket.ae, two wholly owned businesses serving different consumer categories in the UAE.
The announcement was made on September 24, 2026, with CreditMarket.ae focused on financial services and HolidayMarket.ae focused on travel.
The launch builds on Alfred Holdings’ existing portfolio, which includes InsuranceMarket.ae. The group said businesses across its portfolio now employ more than 700 people and serve over 200,000 active customers.
Founder and Chairman Avinash Babur said the growth of InsuranceMarket.ae gave the group confidence to expand into other large consumer categories.
The two new companies have separate leadership teams and market propositions but operate under Alfred Holdings’ broader portfolio strategy.
What financial products are available on CreditMarket.ae?
CreditMarket.ae is a financial marketplace where UAE customers can explore banking and financial products from a network of banks, financial institutions and fintech companies.
The platform covers:
- Credit cards
- Personal loans
- Car loans
- Mortgages
- Bank accounts
- Business banking products
The marketplace includes both conventional and Islamic finance options.
CreditMarket.ae is led by General Manager Shadab Ahamed, who said the platform has focused on building relationships with financial institutions and developing technology to make product discovery and navigation easier.
Customers can also access financial advisors when human assistance is useful.
Importantly, CreditMarket.ae does not itself make lending decisions. The platform’s published information states that participating banks and financial institutions independently assess applications and decide whether to approve financial products.
This distinction is important for customers comparing financial services through the platform.
How does CreditMarket.ae fit into the UAE’s digital finance sector?
The launch comes as the UAE continues developing its digital financial-services ecosystem.
The Central Bank of the UAE has introduced an Open Finance framework designed to allow customers to securely share financial data and access services through regulated third-party providers, subject to customer consent and the relevant regulatory requirements.
The Central Bank’s wider fintech programme also supports the development of technology-driven financial services in the UAE.
For CreditMarket.ae, the focus is on using technology to help customers discover financial products, understand eligibility and navigate different options. Alfred Holdings said artificial intelligence is expected to play an increasing role in financial services, particularly in areas such as discovery and eligibility.
The company has not disclosed specific AI tools or features that will be introduced on CreditMarket.ae as part of the September 2026 launch.
What services does HolidayMarket.ae offer?
HolidayMarket.ae is Alfred Holdings’ new travel business, offering holiday packages, staycations, visa services, travel-agent services, MICE and group bookings.
The platform is led by General Manager Rajesh Khare and has relationships across the travel industry.
Customers can access options involving:
- Holiday packages
- UAE staycations
- Visa services
- Travel-agent services
- MICE and group bookings
- Hotels
- Airlines
- Destinations
- Travel experiences
Khare said technology will be used to support travel discovery and personalisation, while experienced Travel Advisors will remain available for customers who want human assistance.
HolidayMarket.ae’s website also identifies the business as a Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism-licensed travel agent.
Why is the launch relevant to Dubai’s travel market?
HolidayMarket.ae is entering a UAE travel market supported by continued growth in Dubai tourism.
According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai welcomed around 6.97 million international overnight visitors between January and August 2026. The emirate recorded around 869,000 international visitors in August, while hotel occupancy stood at 66%.
Dubai also recorded 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, according to Dubai’s tourism authority.
These figures provide context for HolidayMarket.ae’s entry into the market, although Alfred Holdings has not attributed its investment directly to Dubai’s visitor growth.
The new platform is designed to serve both individual travellers and customers looking for services such as staycations, visas and group travel.
How does the myAlfred app connect the businesses?
The myAlfred app acts as a separate consumer technology and rewards business within the Alfred Holdings portfolio.
Customers can use the app to discover and access Alfred Holdings’ businesses and earn or redeem AlfredCoins™.
However, CreditMarket.ae and HolidayMarket.ae remain separate businesses. Alfred Holdings said each company has its own leadership, customers and market proposition.
The group therefore describes myAlfred as an access point across the portfolio rather than a replacement for the individual businesses.
Why It Matters
For UAE consumers, the launch brings new digital options into two everyday categories: financial services and travel.
CreditMarket.ae gives customers a marketplace for exploring banking products from participating financial institutions, while HolidayMarket.ae brings several travel services together, including holidays, staycations and visa assistance.
For Alfred Holdings, the launch represents an expansion beyond its established insurance business.
The group has also indicated that its investment strategy will continue beyond these two launches, with plans to invest across additional consumer categories and markets in the GCC.
FAQs
When did Alfred Holdings launch CreditMarket.ae and HolidayMarket.ae?
Alfred Holdings announced the launch of both businesses on September 24, 2026. Both are wholly owned businesses within the group’s portfolio.
What can customers find on CreditMarket.ae?
Customers can explore credit cards, personal loans, car loans, mortgages, bank accounts and business banking products from participating banks, financial institutions and fintech companies.
Does CreditMarket.ae approve loans?
No. CreditMarket.ae is a financial marketplace. Participating banks and financial institutions independently assess applications and make their own lending decisions.
What does HolidayMarket.ae offer?
HolidayMarket.ae offers holiday packages, staycations, visa services, travel-agent services, MICE and group bookings, along with access to hotels, airlines, destinations and travel experiences.
Can customers use both businesses through myAlfred?
Yes. Alfred Holdings says CreditMarket.ae and HolidayMarket.ae are accessible through their individual websites and the myAlfred app.
The launch of CreditMarket.ae and HolidayMarket.ae marks Alfred Holdings’ expansion from insurance into financial services and travel. The two businesses will operate separately while sharing the group’s wider consumer-focused strategy, with Alfred Holdings planning further investment across the UAE and GCC.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news and things to do in Dubai and across the UAE.
