Key facts
- 70% of UK adults plan to travel abroad in the next 12 months.
- 53% of UK travelers chose city breaks as their most popular holiday type.
- 49% of UK travelers opted for beach breaks.
- 48% of package holiday bookers cited value for money as the primary reason.
- 17% of people plan to take a cruise next year, up from 13% in 2026.
- 52% of cruise bookers cited value for money as a reason for their choice.
Holidays remain a significant priority for UK adults, with a majority planning international travel in the coming year, according to ABTA's Holiday Habits report 2026/27. The research, based on polling over 2,000 adults, indicates a growing trend towards 'cost-conscious' travel, where individuals opt for more budget-friendly choices rather than forgo vacations entirely.
While only 7% of respondents stated the cost of living crisis would prevent them from taking a holiday, a substantial 21% plan to book cheaper accommodation, and 19% intend to reduce spending on eating out while abroad. Package holidays are gaining traction, with 48% of bookers seeing them as the best value option, an increase from 43% last year.
Cruise bookings are also on the rise, with 17% of people planning a cruise next year compared to 13% in 2026. This increase is attributed to the perceived value for money (52%) and the ability to pay upfront (40%).
Mark Tanzer, chief executive of ABTA, noted that the desire to travel remains strong despite geopolitical and economic challenges, emphasizing that ABTA members provide confidence and value for money in uncertain times. City breaks have surpassed beach escapes as the most popular holiday type, with 53% of UK travelers choosing them in the past 12 months, compared to 49% for beach holidays. Other popular choices include countryside breaks (23%) and multi-destination trips (16%).
Spain was the most visited country by UK travelers, with 36% visiting, followed by France (24%) and Italy (15%). Portugal has overtaken Germany as the sixth most visited destination.