Vietnam. Photo: Shutterstock High Demand for Unique Experiences
As the summer season approaches, breaking records in flight demand, Emirates Airline publishes a new analysis of global search and booking data from its website, revealing the hottest summer destinations among travelers worldwide.
The trend is clear: more travelers are choosing to steer away from typical destinations and seek unique cultural experiences, untouched nature, and less traveled paths.
Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKVietnam: The Season's Star
With a 61% surge in flight searches compared to last year, Vietnam earns the title "Summer's Hot Destination."
Emirates operates 25 weekly flights worldwide to three destinations in the country: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and this season, Da Nang (via Bangkok) - offering access to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a pristine 3,000 km coastline.
Vietnam. Photo: ShutterstockMauritius, Sri Lanka, and Japan Continue to Stronghold
Coming in second is Mauritius, with a 41% rise in flight searches.
The airline operates two daily flights globally using wide-body A380 aircraft. Sri Lanka, offering a winning combination of beaches, green nature, and a local "tea experience," records a 32% increase.
Japan - a longstanding favorite destination - continues to climb with a 28% demand increase: between Tokyo and Osaka, travelers seek a mix of tradition, technology, and refined culinary culture. Emirates operates 21 weekly flights to three major hubs.
Sri Lanka. Photo: ShutterstockFrance Remains a Classic Choice
Despite the focus on exotic destinations, France maintains its status with a 25% demand increase.
Emirates is increasing flight offerings to Paris (3 daily flights with A380), Nice (daily flight), and Lyon (daily A350).
Paris, France. Photo: shutterstockProminent Trends by Country
In the UAE, there is a 13% rise in flight searches, mainly to destinations like Sri Lanka, India, Lebanon, Morocco, and France.
Travelers from the USA are focusing on Africa, particularly Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa. Meanwhile, in the UK, there is a 12% increase in searches, with growing interest in New Zealand, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius.
Residents of India show growing interest in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland; while in Australia, the focus is on planning European summer, mainly to France and the UK.
Finally, travelers from Germany choose the East: Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Seychelles.
Fukuoka, Japan. Photo: ShutterstockDuration of Stay?
Summer continues to be a season for long vacations: One-third of travelers from India, Australia, Germany, and the UK fly for over a month. Americans, on the other hand, maintain an average holiday of 2-3 weeks.
Dubai. Photo: ShutterstockDubai Continues to Attract Tourists
This summer as well, Emirates anticipates significant incoming movement to Dubai - a destination attracting tourists from all over the world. The company analysis reveals that about half of the visitors from the USA, India, and Australia are single travelers, many combining business with leisure.
British and American families usually come for vacations of two weeks or more, while couples from Germany and Australia tend to extend their stay up to a whole month.
And in Israel? The company has not yet resumed its flights on the Tel Aviv-Dubai route since the onset of the conflict.