New data from Emirates shows a strong global appetite for travel this summer, with growing interest in lesser-known destinations and cultural experiences.
The airline has reported a 7% increase in summer flight searches compared to last year.
Popular destinations
Vietnam has emerged as the most in-demand destination on Emirates’ network, with a 61% surge in interest. Emirates now operates 25 weekly flights to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and, since June, Da Nang via Bangkok.
Mauritius follows with a 41% increase in flight searches. Emirates operates two daily A380 services to the island nation. Sri Lanka also saw a 32% rise, drawing travellers to its cultural landmarks, tea plantations, and coastline.
Japan remains a top draw, with searches up 28%. Emirates serves Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Osaka with 21 weekly flights. France, another popular choice, recorded a 25% boost.
Emirates meets this demand with 21 weekly flights to Paris, a daily A380 to Nice, and a daily A350 to Lyon.
UAE travel patterns
In the UAE, Emirates recorded a 13% rise in outbound flight searches. Travellers are particularly interested in destinations such as Sri Lanka, France, India, Jordan, Lebanon, and Morocco.
The airline noted a 12% increase in UK-based users searching for long-haul getaways like Japan, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. US travellers showed growing interest in African destinations, including Egypt and Kenya, while German travellers focused more on Asia, especially Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea.
Booking behaviour shifts
According to Emirates, longer holidays are common among travellers from the UK, Germany, Australia, and India, with nearly one-third planning stays longer than a month. In contrast, most US travellers are opting for trips lasting two to three weeks.
Indian travellers are searching for flights to Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, while Australian users are planning European summer getaways, particularly to France and the UK.
Summer traffic to Dubai
Emirates expects strong inbound traffic to Dubai during the summer months, with solo travellers making up nearly half of US, Indian, and Australian visitors.
These travellers are typically combining business with leisure and staying for about a week.
Family travel shows varied patterns: one-third of US and Indian visitors travel with family, but while Indian families prefer shorter trips, Americans tend to stay one to two weeks.
Most UK visitors travel as families, often extending their stay beyond two weeks.
Young couples from Australia and Germany are also travelling more, often staying in Dubai for up to a month.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
