The Association of British Travel Agents revealed that its members recorded an 18pc increase in bookings for summer 2026 holidays compared with the same period last year.
Demand for destinations in Europe and further afield rose strongly with Spain Italy and the United States proving particularly popular. The trend indicates continued recovery and confidence in England’s outbound market.
Travel industry reports for early 2026 indicate a significant shift toward advanced bookings, with ABTA and other major travel bodies noting that many holidaymakers are securing trips for summer 2026 and even into 2027 much earlier than in previous years.
Agents say consumers are increasingly using the “post-Christmas lull” to deliberately plan and secure high-quality summer stays early.
“Travel Trendsetters”: Younger adults (ages 25–34) are leading the early booking trend, with 84pc planning to travel overseas in the next 12 months and nearly half intending to spend more on their holidays than last year.
While traditional peak summer months remain dominant, September has become the fastest-growing travel month. One in four travellers now plans to go abroad in September to take advantage of better value and fewer crowds.
Current summer sales for 2026 are already reported to be 7pc higher than the previous year, with traveler numbers up by 4pc.
High demand from international tourists is putting pressure on hotel and flight availability, prompting earlier commitments to avoid disappointment. There is a rising preference for booking with ABTA members to ensure financial protection and professional support during potential travel disruptions.
According to the ABTA 2026 Destinations to Watch report, several regions are seeing sharp rises in early interest:
- Malta (Gozo): Fastest-rising destination for 2026, with a 1,900pc search increase.
- Traditional Hotspots: Tenerife, Egypt, and Dubai continue to climb sharply in rankings.
- Emerging Favorites: Colombia, Serbia, and the Gulf of Naples (Italy) are highlighted for their authentic and experiential travel offerings.
