UAE travel trends: Emirates unveils top summer 2025 destinations
France, Japan, Mauritius among most searched getaways
DUBAI: As the summer travel season approaches its peak, Emirates has revealed the most in-demand destinations for July and August 2025 based on global booking data and search trends.
The airline reports a 7% increase in summer flight searches compared to last year, highlighting a significant appetite for international escapes, particularly among travellers seeking cultural depth and lesser-known experiences.
France leads the global surge in outbound travel interest with a notable 35% year-on-year increase in search volume, followed by Ireland, Canada and Saudi Arabia. Strong momentum has also been recorded in Germany and the UAE, pointing to widespread travel intent across multiple regions.
Among the standout trends, destinations in the Far East, Indian Ocean, and Europe dominate the charts. Travellers are clearly moving beyond traditional hotspots, gravitating towards destinations that offer natural beauty, rich history and culinary diversity.
Breakout destinations
Vietnam has emerged as this summer’s top destination, with searches soaring by 61%. Emirates now flies to three Vietnamese cities – Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and, as of June this year, Da Nang via Bangkok – with 25 weekly flights. Da Nang in particular provides access to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 3,000km of pristine coastline. Vietnamese cuisine, ranging from bustling street markets to hidden dining gems, further enhances the country's appeal.
Mauritius takes the second spot with a 41% surge in searches. Emirates operates two daily A380 services to the Indian Ocean island, a consistent favourite among travellers. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has seen a 32% rise in interest, attracting visitors with its rich cultural heritage, scenic beaches, lush tea plantations, and affordable luxury offerings.
Japan continues to captivate global travellers, with searches increasing 28% compared to last year. Emirates serves three destinations—Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Osaka—with 21 weekly flights. The country’s appeal lies in its seamless blend of tradition and modernity, from serene temples to cutting-edge cityscapes, all underscored by its globally admired cuisine.
France completes the top five with a 25% increase in summer travel interest. Emirates caters to this demand with 21 weekly flights to Paris, including three daily A380 services; a daily A380 flight to Nice; and a daily A350 service to Lyon.
Travel insights by market
In the UAE, summer flight searches are up 13%. Popular destinations among residents include Sri Lanka, Jordan, France, India, Lebanon, and Morocco. From the US, travellers have shown increased interest in African countries such as Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa.
British travellers are 12% more active on emirates.com compared to last year, with rising demand for long-haul destinations including New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius. Indian holidaymakers are also looking to explore further, with interest in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland climbing in 2025.
Australian travellers are focused on their European summer plans, showing a preference for France and the UK. Meanwhile, Germany has seen a shift eastward, with more searches directed at Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and the Seychelles.
When it comes to the length of summer breaks, nearly a third of Emirates travellers from India, Australia, the UK and Germany opt for holidays extending beyond a month. In contrast, US travellers generally take 2–3 week trips.
Dubai travel patterns
Emirates anticipates strong inbound traffic to Dubai throughout the summer, reinforcing the emirate’s global reputation as a year-round destination.
Solo travellers account for nearly half of inbound traffic from the US, India, and Australia, often blending business and leisure during stays that typically last just over a week.
Family travel trends differ by nationality. Approximately one-third of US and Indian visitors travel as families. However, while Indian families tend to book shorter getaways, American families favour trips lasting one to two weeks. British families comprise the bulk of UK visitors, frequently opting for extended stays in Dubai of more than two weeks.
Couples also represent a significant travel segment. Younger Australian and German couples are more inclined to plan longer visits, ranging from two weeks to a full month, allowing ample time to explore the city’s diverse offerings.