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Report
en_GB
Holiday demand remains robust and has even strengthened slightly year-on-year, with 85% of Brits intending to travel in the next 12 months. This includes notable increases in those planning to…
UK
Holidays and Vacations
simple
UK Package vs Independent Holidays Report 2026
"Package holidays are set to outperform in the near term as uncertainty and rising costs drive demand for reassurance. Operators must prioritise ease of booking and flexibility to encourage and capture demand."
Holiday demand remains robust and has even strengthened slightly year-on-year, with 85% of Brits intending to travel in the next 12 months. This includes notable increases in those planning to take their main holiday in Europe (+3pp) and the UK (+5pp), underlining continued appetite for short-haul travel despite wider pressures.
Booking methods have shifted slightly in favour of package holidays, as Brits lean into safe, convenient and familiar trips. With more consumers focussing on nearby getaways, brands marketing overseas packages should highlight trips to both well-loved hubs and secondary cities in Western Europe.
At the same time, 25% of consumers who plan to book their main overseas holiday independently this year are expected to make their purchase between July and the end of September 2026. Operators should ensure they are positioned to absorb last-minute demand. The trend could intensify further depending on geopolitical shifts, highlighting the importance of supporting consumers who are delaying decisions.
Brands looking to absorb this last-minute demand should ensure that they are well positioned to support consumers who book close to the departure date, by leveraging technology to speed up the inspiration to purchase phase and providing guarantees of price and support for consumers worried about the wider context.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
Changes in share of package vs independent bookings, including opportunities in domestic packages and last-minute overseas trips
Profile of package vs independent customers, including package interest among affluent consumers and interest in independent holidays from families
Reasons for booking package holidays, including the increasing importance of value for money and security, as well as a frictionless booking process
Reasons for booking independently, including perceptions around flexibility and personalisation
Report Scope
This Report examines the habits and attitudes of UK adults towards package and independent holidays. Mintel defined a holiday as a stay of at least one night that is primarily for leisure purposes. Business trips and visiting friends or relatives are not included.
Market size and forecasts refer specifically to the overseas holiday market. Mintel’s consumer research also includes data on the domestic holiday market, but the main focus of this Report is holidays abroad.
For the purposes of this Report, Mintel asked a number of questions to UK adults about the ‘main holiday’ they are planning to take in the next 12 months. This was defined as the holiday on which they plan to spend the most in terms of travel and/or accommodation.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for package vs independent holidays
Opportunities
Reframing all-inclusives for the luxury consumer
Close the support gap for independent bookings
Reinvent the domestic package
THE MARKET
Snapshot – market size and forecast
Packages gain value share against independent holidays
Graph 1: value share, independent vs package, 2019-25
Package holidays: market size and forecast
Overseas package volumes rise year-on-year
Graph 2: volume of overseas package holidays taken by UK residents, 2019-25
Package value continues to grow strongly
Graph 3: value of overseas package holidays taken by UK residents, 2019-25
Package volumes set for steady rise
Graph 4: market volume forecast for overseas package holidays, 2019-30
Package value set to moderate
Graph 5: market value forecast for overseas package holidays, 2019-30
Independent holidays: market size and forecast
Volume of overseas independent holidays increases
Graph 6: volume of overseas independent holidays taken by UK residents, 2019-25
Strong value increase in independently booked holidays
Graph 7: value of overseas independent holidays taken by UK residents, 2019-25
Consumer caution sees volume growth slow
Graph 8: market volume forecast for overseas independent holidays, 2019-30
Average prices continue to grow
Graph 9: market value forecast for overseas independent holidays, 2019-30
Market factors
Consumers are increasingly worried about the geopolitical situation…
Graph 10: select consumer concerns – macro, by share of “very concerned” consumers, 2026
…but holidaying intentions remain stable
Graph 11: holidaying intentions in the next 12 months, 2021-26
Jet2 tops ATOL holders
Graph 12: passengers licensed under ATOL protection, by top 10 ATOL holders, 2024-26
THE CONSUMER
Package vs independent bookings
The UK is an increasingly attractive destination
Target younger demographics with UK packages
Graph 13: expected booking method for main holiday in the UK in the next 12 months, 2021-26
UK holidaymakers want increasingly diverse experiences
Packages continue to appeal to overseas travellers
Graph 14: expected booking method for main holiday abroad in the next 12 months, 2021-26
Capture last-minute demand for overseas independent trips
Graph 15: booking lead time, by expected booking method and main destination of holiday in the next 12 months, 2026
Profile of package vs independent customers
Craft luxe packages with unique experiences for top earners
Graph 16: expected booking method for main holiday in the next 12 months, by household income, 2026
Redefine packages for the luxury market
Independent holidays continue to rise in popularity among those with children
Graph 17: share of those with with children aged 18 and under for independent holidays, by destination, 2025-26
Reasons for booking package holidays
Value for money and security drive package bookings
Graph 18: reasons for booking package holidays, 2021-26
A frictionless booking process appeals, especially to older consumers
Graph 19: perceptions of package vs independent holidays, 2026
Ready-made packages grow in popularity
Graph 20: preferences when booking a package holiday, 2025-26
Consumers are most concerned with flexible dates
Dynamic packages with a variety of transport/premium options will appeal
Reasons for booking independently
Flexibility is increasingly a reason to go independent
Highlight support in independent bookings
Graph 21: reasons for booking independent holidays, by household income, 2026
Independent holidays win for personalisation
Graph 22: perceptions of package vs independent holidays, 2026
APPENDIX
Market definition
The market
Forecast methodology
Forecast methodology – fan chart
Market size package vs independent – volume
Market size package vs independent – value
Market forecast and prediction intervals package holidays – volume
Market forecast and prediction intervals package holidays – value
Market forecast and prediction intervals independent holidays – volume
Market forecast and prediction intervals independent holidays – value
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
UK generation groups
Other data source methodologies
Snoop SpendMapper methodology
Abbreviations
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