77% of UK consumers are looking to travel over the summer period (April-September), the highest figure for three years. Brits also show growing interest in international travel, with plans for overseas holidays (50%) outpacing domestic trips (39%). Despite prevailing economic and political headwinds, demand for travel continues to grow.
However, consumers show a slightly more cautious attitude in their spending. 46% of holidaymakers plan to spend more money on holidays this summer, but this is a drop of 6 percentage points from 2024. This echoes generally flat consumer confidence and ongoing worries about future inflationary pressures. However, there are still significant opportunities in premium offerings for those with healthier financial situations, as well as value-for-money options for those looking to make their money go further.
Demand for luxury European holidays among affluent consumers is flourishing. UK holidaymakers earning £75K+ are significantly more likely to be planning a European trip this summer compared to other demographics. They are also planning to spend more on their trips this year, signalling an opportunity for brands to appeal to this demographic with value-driven luxury experiences.
This report looks at the following areas:
- Destinations consumers visited between October 2024-March 2025
- Types of holidays taken between October 2024-March 2025
- Destinations consumers plan to visit between October 2024-March 2025
- Types of holidays consumers plan to take between October 2024-March 2025
- The role of social media in influencing upcoming trips, especially for parents of young children
- Opportunities in wellness holidays for 16-34s
Holidaymakers are looking for both their trips and their budgets to go further this summer, while younger consumers are increasingly interested in a range of holiday types.
Sinead O’Connor, Travel Analyst
Market Definitions
This report examines the habits and attitudes of British adults aged 16 or over towards holiday-taking in the UK and abroad. For the purposes of this Report, 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.
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KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Opportunities for the travel industry
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HOLIDAYS TAKEN IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS
- Winter escapes are becoming more popular
- Graph 1: destinations visited in the last six months, 2022/23 – 2024/25
- International travel continues to recover
- Graph 2: destinations visited in the last six months, 2022/23 – 2024-25
- Long-haul takes flight
- Brits embrace off-season cruises
- Graph 3: types of holiday taken in the last six months, 2022/23 – 2024/25
- Gen Z seek a range of holiday experiences
- Graph 4: select types of holiday taken in the last six months, Gen Z vs overall, 2025
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HOLIDAYS PLANNED FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS
- A challenging summer ahead for the staycation market
- Graph 5: future destinations in the next six months, 2023-25
- Domestic tourism still struggling post-pandemic
- European and long-haul destinations expected to perform well
- Graph 6: future destinations in the next six months, 2023-25
- Healthy summer demand
- Rising interest in beach holidays, city breaks and cruises
- Graph 7: types of holidays in the next six months, 2023-25
- Tap into set-jetting demand
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HOLIDAYING BEHAVIOURS AND INTENTIONS
- Value for money is key
- Graph 8: holidaying behaviours and intentions, 2025
- Target men aged 35-54 with short breaks
- Graph 9: holidaying behaviours and intentions – “I plan to take a short break between April 2025 and September 2025”, by gender and age, 2025
- Higher earners favour European getaways
- Parents of young children turn to social media for inspiration
- Bring online trips to life
- 16-34s want wellness on the go
- Graph 10: holidaying behaviours and intentions – “I plan to take a holiday with a wellness element between April 2025 and September 2025”, by age, 2025
- Provide tailored wellness solutions
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APPENDIX
- Market definition
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
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