The British public has returned to pre-pandemic levels of holiday-taking, with a notable shift towards city breaks and shorter trips. Despite ongoing concerns such as the rising cost of living, disruption in the Middle East, and the implementation of a new European border system, travel demand has remained strong over the past year.
A report by Abta, the UK’s largest travel association, found that 88 percent of Britons took at least one holiday in the last 12 months, the highest participation rate since 2019. On average, each person took nearly four holidays during this period, with domestic trips within the UK continuing to be more popular than overseas travel. City breaks have notably grown in popularity and have overtaken traditional fly-and-flop beach holidays as the preferred vacation type for younger adults under 45, particularly those without children. By contrast, families with young children still favor beach destinations, while countryside holidays remain a choice mainly for older travelers aged over 55.
Among age groups, 25- to 34-year-olds led in the proportion traveling abroad, with 72 percent taking international holidays in the past year—a four-percentage-point increase from the previous year. Spain remained the top international destination, visited by 36 percent of British travelers, followed by France (24 percent), Italy (15 percent), and the United States (14 percent). Other popular destinations showing growth included Portugal and Cyprus. However, Europe overall saw a slight two-percent dip in British visitors, attributed in part to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East diverting some travel preferences.
In addition to city breaks, there is emerging interest in “wellbeing breaks” such as yoga retreats, safaris, adventure travel, and wellbeing-focused cruises, which have experienced a notable boost in bookings. Mark Tanzer, Abta’s chief executive, highlighted that despite economic challenges, many consumers continue to prioritize travel spending, although they tend to book holidays closer to departure dates to maintain flexibility.
Further trends indicate that British travelers are increasingly opting for shorter trips. Data from the Advantage Travel Partnership, representing British travel agents, shows that classic city destinations like Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam, as well as eastern European cities including Krakow, Budapest, and Prague, remain popular due to their affordability. Popular international city break locations also include New York, Marrakesh, and Reykjavik, the latter offering opportunities for adventure and viewing the northern lights.
Shorter city breaks have become even more common. The Expedia Unpack travel trends report found a 15 percent rise in one-night international trips since the previous year, a trend referred to as “trip snacking.” These quick getaways to cities such as Oslo, Gdansk, and Valencia provide brief bursts of leisure between longer vacations.
Looking ahead, holidaymakers appear to be spreading their travel throughout the year. May is projected to be the most popular month for overseas trips in the coming year, while August remains the favored holiday month for families. Officials involved in the travel sector emphasize the persistent importance of holidays to the British public, suggesting that many are willing to adjust destinations or timing rather than forgo travel altogether amid global uncertainties.