As UAE temperatures climb to around 50°C, residents are opting to escape to cooler destinations like Iceland’s waterfalls and Canada’s alpine lakes. According to Expedia’s latest travel data, searches for Iceland have skyrocketed by over 160% compared to last year, while Alberta, Canada, experienced a 90% increase. Other popular destinations include Scotland, Switzerland, and South Tyrol in Italy, all celebrated for their cool climates and nature-filled experiences.
Global air and travel service provider dnata reports similar trends. Matthew Vlemmiks, dnata’s travel leisure manager, shared with Khaleej Times that recent sales data reveal “a strong desire for destinations offering cooler climates and nature-based experiences.”
“Since May, Japan, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, South Africa, Iceland, and New Zealand have consistently ranked among our top 20 destinations for growth,” Vlemmiks noted. While Canada aligns with this trend, it hasn’t made dnata’s top five yet.
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“UAE travelers are increasingly looking for immersive seasonal experiences, dramatic landscapes, and the chance to relax and enjoy the outdoors,” he added.
Accessible for All Budgets
Historically, long-haul cool destinations like Iceland, Canada, and New Zealand attracted mid- to high-budget travelers due to longer flights and higher costs. However, Vlemmiks believes affordability is improving.
“There are ways to make these trips more affordable: flight deals, competitive packages, and multi-destination itineraries,” he explained. “For instance, travelers might combine a few days in Iceland or Switzerland with a stay in a nearby, more budget-friendly city.”
A Personal Retreat
For some, the allure is more than just escaping the heat. Firas Al Msaddi, a Dubai-based entrepreneur, traveled to Iceland this summer with his family; not to cool off, but to reconnect.
“Dubai’s summer doesn’t bother me. It’s a blessing to live in such a sophisticated and comfortable city,” he said. “But if I travel in summer, I will never choose another hot destination.”
Firas Al Msaddi
Al Msaddi described Iceland’s 5°C to 15°C weather as perfect for a spiritual and physical reset. “We chose it for its slow, clean, safe environment where we could be fully present — running, hiking, horse riding, praying together five times a day.”
“Iceland is a premium destination, comparable with Europe’s best in terms of cost, but offers so much more value,” he said. “Instead of hotels and shopping, we immerse ourselves in experiences: untouched landscapes, Icelandic horses, towering waterfalls.”
For his family, the routine is now set. “Our winters are in the Dubai desert with the kids; our summers are in Scandinavia, Norway and now Iceland. We’ll keep returning for the same reason; it’s the best investment in our family.”
