UK holiday demand may have peaked amid cost of living squeeze, says travel industry
Source: The Guardian ·
Spain remains most popular destination as Britons book later in hope of better deals, Abta report findsBusiness live – latest updatesThe UK’s cost of living squeeze means fewer people plan to ringfence money for holiday abroad next year, the travel industry warned on Tuesday.Despite war, wildfires and EES border checks, the numbers of Britons taking holidays climbed back to pre-pandemic levels…
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The UK’s cost of living squeeze means fewer people plan to ringfence money for holiday abroad next year, the travel industry warned on Tuesday. Despite war, wildfires and EES border checks, the numbers of Britons taking holidays climbed back to pre-pandemic levels this year – but rising costs may mean the numbers have peaked, according to an annual travel industry report. Numbers taking holidays both at home and abroad continued to rise, although late bookings and shorter city breaks have been an increasing feature of holidays through 2026. Confidence in travel dropped slightly year on year but rebounded as fears over jet fuel shortages and flight disruption faded since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran in February, according to research from the industry body Abta. Overall, 88% of Brits took a holiday this year, matching the 2019 pre-pandemic peak, with a new high of 74% in the UK and 62% abroad. However, Abta’s report found that almost one in three people were planning to…