Emirates reveals flight searches for summer travel increased by 7% compared to last year
Vietnam's vibrant third metropolis is a gateway to a trio of UNESCO World Heritage treasures and over 3,000km of untouched coastline. For culinary adventurers, Vietnamese cuisine is a story in every bite. From bustling street food markets to hidden local gems, the country's dining scene promises an unforgettable experience.
Close behind, the island nation of Mauritius continues to charm travellers, with searches for flights rising 41% as the second most in-demand destination on the Emirates network this summer. The airline offers two convenient daily flights on its iconic A380s; while Sri Lanka has seen a 32% increase as a clear favourite for its rich cultural tapestry, pristine beaches, 'tea country' and affordable luxury experiences.
Japan continues its magnetic pull on global explorers, growing 28% in flight searches compared to last year, with its unique culture, stunning landscapes, modern cities, and delectable cuisine blending balance and artistry. Emirates operates 21 weekly flights to three Japanese points – Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Osaka.
The timeless allure of France rounds out the top five with a solid 25% boost, and Emirates is helping meet traveller demand this summer, serving Paris with 21 weekly flights, including 3 daily A380 flights; a daily A380 service to Nice; and a daily A350 flight to Lyon.
The science of wanderlust: booking data and travel choices
In the UAE, Emirates has seen a 13% rise in flight searches overall, and airline has witnessed a year-on-year increase for searches to destinations like Sri Lanka, Jordan, France, India, Lebanon, and Morrocco. Travellers from the US flying Emirates have been increasingly focusing their searches on African points like Egypt, Kenya and South Africa, while UK travellers are searching 12% more than last year on emirates.com, with increasing interest to far flung destinations like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka and Mauritius.
Indian travellers seek more opportunities to venture out to Australia, New Zealand and Ireland in 2025, while the airline notes that Australian travellers are focusing on their European summer plans, with a rise in searches to France and the UK. Over the past year, German travellers are drawn eastbound with higher search levels to Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and the Seychelles.
Summer traditionally skews for longer breaks, particularly for Emirates travellers from India, Australia, the UK and Germany who stretch their getaways into extended escapes – close to a third of them travel for more than a month, while those from the US opt for 2-3 week stays for their summer getaways. Emirates forecasts healthy inbound passenger traffic to Dubai during the summer months this year, demonstrating the ongoing global appeal of the city as a 'must visit' destination year-round. Solo Travellers dominate nearly half of all US, Indian, and Australian visitors, mixing business with leisure during stays averaging just over one week.
Family Travel tells different stories by nationality. About one-third of US and Indian visitors travel as families, though preferences diverge—Indian families favour shorter getaways while American families typically explore Dubai for 1-2 weeks. UK families represent the majority of British visitors, often extending their Dubai experience beyond two weeks.
Couples form another significant segment. Younger Australian and German couples embrace extended stays ranging from two weeks to an entire month, maximising their time to discover Dubai.
*Data reflects searches and website bookings on emirates.com for flights between 1 July -30 August 2025, in addition to year-over-year comparisons.
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