Emirates is going to market with Dubai summer stopover deals to entice Australians travelling to or through Dubai this Northern Hemisphere summer even as US-Iran tensions in the Middle East escalate and DFAT warns Aussies to reconsider travel to the region.
The Emirates’ offer comes as the US launches strikes against Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating hostilities between the two countries and affecting global oil prices again.
The Australian Government currently advises travellers to reconsider their need to travel to the UAE, including Dubai, due to the unpredictable security situation in the Middle East region; however, carriers continue flying.
Emirates operates two daily flights from Melbourne and Sydney, plus daily or weekly services from Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, totalling 49 weekly flights to Dubai. From there the carrier connects to more than 138 destinations, including key European cities and gateways.
In the latest campaign, Aussie travellers booking a return Emirates fare can turn a Dubai stopover into a city break with a free hotel stay for those travelling between 25 June and 30 September and staying more than 24 hours.
Eligible Emirates bookings from 22 June – 12 July 2026 will qualify for the deal. First Class and Business Class passengers receive a free two-night stay at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, while Premium Economy and Economy passengers receive one complimentary night.
The stopover push comes as the carrier continues to invest heavily in the passenger experience, including a next-generation lounge concept rolling out across its global network in 2026.
The offer applies to all return tickets to Dubai, or those stopping over in the city, giving advisors a clear value add for clients heading on to Europe and beyond.
The My Emirates Pass also returns for summer 2026 with more than 600 offers across spas, restaurants, retailers and leisure venues across Dubai and the UAE. Travellers can show a physical or digital boarding pass with a valid ID at participating venues to access the discounts.
The deals run alongside Dubai Summer Surprises from 2 July to 30 August, which includes the Beat the Heat DXB concert series, cultural events, and retail savings across the city’s malls and lifestyle areas.
Emirates Deputy President & CCO Adnan Kazim said: “Whether visitors are seeking relaxation, adventure, entertainment or a combination of all three, Dubai is the ideal start to any summer vacation.”
“We’re inviting passengers to enjoy even more of the city with a complimentary hotel stay to take advantage of the exceptional range of shopping, entertainment, dining and family-friendly experiences that define the Dubai summer experience, when stopping over as part of your journey or visiting Dubai as your final destination.”
Emirates’ Dubai Experience platform offers tailored 24- and 48-hour itineraries for advisors and travellers looking to fill a short stopover.
Bookings made after 2 April 2026 include one complimentary date change across all cabin classes, while the Hold My Fare option lets travellers lock in a price while finalising the rest of their plans.
KARRYON UNPACKS: Dubai remains a major connecting point for Australians heading to Europe, and a free hotel night gives advisors an easy reason to sell the stopover rather than a straight-through transit. Middle East carriers continue to fly even though tensions in the Middle East continue, and DFAT advises Australians to reconsider their need to travel – one for advisors to monitor for clients.
