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15 journey tendencies that may affect Brits’ summer time vacation selections in 2026

These are the highest 15 tendencies set to dominate summer time holidays this yr.

Spain is about to be a hotspot for watching the eclipse (Picture: Getty)

Darkish skies tourism is about to be one of many prime journey tendencies this summer time, pushed by a rising fascination with astronomy and astrophotography, based on The Nice British Vacation Audit by easyJet and easyJet Holidays.

The development is particularly well-liked amongst Gen Z and has been amplified by TikTok, following a wave of curiosity sparked by the Northern Lights visibility within the UK in 2025.

Past astronomical occasions, longer short-haul flights of 5 to 6 hours have gotten the “new norm”. For instance, Tunisia is experiencing important development, with a 12% enhance in easyJet flights, significantly to the island of Djerba. In the meantime, Tbilisi, Georgia is gaining traction as a well-liked city-break vacation spot. And journey to longer-leisure hotspots comparable to Morocco, Turkey, and Cyprus has seen a 21% rise.

Journey author Nigel Thompson, who co-authored the report, mentioned: “We’re seeing travellers plan round passions and objective – whether or not that’s spirituality, tradition, sport or nature.

“It appears like 2026 is about that means as a lot as mobility, however worth stays a key issue.”

‘Gen P’ travellers (these of their formative instructional years through the pandemic) are embracing European pilgrimage routes like Santiago de Compostela and Lourdes.

Additionally, the return of hit TV exhibits like The White Lotus to Europe is anticipated to drive curiosity in locations throughout the south of France as a part of a ‘screen-led’ journey.

Many are eager to stroll the Camino de Santiago for a ‘non secular’ expertise (Picture: Getty)

Equally, ‘canon nation tourism’—visiting places made well-known in literature and fashionable retellings, comparable to Verona (Shakespeare) and Pamplona (Hemingway)—is on the rise, with 28% of holidaymakers selecting a vacation spot primarily based on TV, books, or movie.

What’s extra, the padel phenomenon is fuelling sports-focused holidays, significantly in Spain, the place the game has surpassed tennis in recognition. Moreover, many followers are opting to journey to European fan zones to absorb the ambiance of occasions just like the World Cup, saving money and time in comparison with travelling throughout the Atlantic. The analysis discovered 10% of holidaymakers are actually attempting padel or pickleball whereas on vacation.

Travellers are additionally adapting their reserving and vacation habits. Holidaymakers are more and more utilizing vlogs and VR to discover locations earlier than making a reserving. 

As for fogeys with pre-school youngsters, they’re maximising flexibility and travelling extra earlier than term-time restrictions start. Whereas on the opposite finish of the spectrum ‘Dwelling Alone’ Mother and father (these with out grownup youngsters or pets) are rediscovering the liberty to journey.

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Garry Wilson, CEO at easyJet Holidays, summarised the findings: “In 2026, there’s a transparent need to make holidays rely… individuals are prioritising connection, wellbeing and recollections that final, not simply time away.”

  1. Longer quick haul – Bringing locations that mix distance with comfort into simple attain
  2. Strive earlier than you fly – Utilising immersive expertise like VR, or short-form video platforms to expertise the vacation spot first by means of another person’s eyes
  3. Translation Exploration – Embracing journey and veering off the overwhelmed observe with the arrogance of robust language translators together with AI on the spot translate
  4. Pre-Faculty’s Out – Mother and father with youthful youngsters cram holidays in earlier than time period time constraints take their toll
  5. Darkish sky tourism – European darkish sky spots to take pleasure in their day within the solar as Gen Zer’s journey to pursue newfound pursuits in astronomy and astrophotography
  6. Take your pickle… or padel – Reserving vacation locations primarily based on new sporting actions on provide, together with pickleball, padel or paddleboarding.
  7. Wardrobe wanderlust – promoting garments on websites comparable to eBay, Vinted or Depop to place in direction of journey budgets, decluttering on the similar time
  8. The White Lotus impact – set to return to Europe in 2026, travellers will look to duplicate the luxurious seen on the silver display screen
  9. Canon nation tourism – Visiting historic cities and landscapes rediscovered by means of basic literature or their fashionable retelling, from Shakespeare’s Verona to Hemingway’s Pamplona.
  10. Solar – with out – display screen – Exploring ingenious or basic methods to scale back screentime while on vacation, however prioritising an analogue lifestyle
  11. Neighborhood affect – Taking the web journey group off-line by becoming a member of on group journey journeys organised by journey content material creators, specialists in their very own rights
  12. Wealth of expertise – Prioritising experiences inside journey, tradition and private enrichment over property
  13. Dwelling alone – Taking extra holidays as a guardian of grownup youngsters with a live-in home or pet-sitter (your grownup youngsters)
  14. Gen-P – Exploring historic non secular pilgrimages as a purpose to journey, from Santiago de Compostela to Lourdes
  15. Placing the world in cup – Utilizing main tournaments just like the 2026 World Cup as a purpose to journey to groups’ dwelling nations, watching iconic matches surrounded by native followers.

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