More than eight in ten adults (86%) plan a holiday abroad this year – a significant rise compared with early 2024, when seven in ten were planning a trip overseas – according to new data from AllClear Travel Insurance.
By comparing attitudes now with the same point two years ago, the data highlights how confidence in overseas travel rebounded since the height of the cost-of-living crisis.
AllClear’s new travel data gives an early indication of holiday trends for the year ahead. The nationally representative poll asked 2,000 adults which types of holiday they would like to have during 2026. While beach holidays remain the most popular choice (44%), there are significant rises across a range of other holiday types.
For example, the popularity of city breaks, which dipped during the immediate years after the pandemic, have rocketed back from 18% to 38% over the last two years. Romance is also colouring holiday decisions during Q1, with a significant uptick in the percentage of couples heading off for an overseas break (22%, up from 9% two years ago). Cruise holidays (20%), private villa breaks (23%) and relaxing pool holidays (32%) also see significant upturns for 2026.
Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs comments: “These trends we track every two-years allow us to observe significant changes over time. Our new figures show upturns in the percentage of Brits planning a holiday abroad for the year ahead. There is a greater breadth of holidays people are choosing this year, and some people are planning multiple holidays.
Overseas holidays people would like to have in 2026
|
|
UK average
Q1 2026
|
UK average
Q1 2024
|
|
Beach holiday
|
44%
|
31%
|
|
City break
|
38%
|
18%
|
|
Hotel/pool holiday
|
32%
|
17%
|
|
Cruise
|
20%
|
9%
|
|
Villa/ private house
|
23%
|
10%
|
|
Romantic break
|
22%
|
9%
|
|
Walking/ hiking
|
20%
|
7%
|
|
Air BnB
|
18%
|
7%
|
|
Music festival
|
15%
|
6%
|
|
Camping/caravan
|
12%
|
8%
|
|
Sports holiday
|
7%
|
4%
|
|
Winter sports
|
5%
|
3%
|
|
Activity / extreme sports
|
5%
|
3%
|
|
Visiting second home/time-share
|
4%
|
4%
|
|
Sailing
|
4%
|
3%
|
Greater confidence in overseas travel among people with medical conditions
One of the groups that has reported the greatest upturn in holiday plans for 2026 are people with medical conditions – with the percentage looking forward to an overseas holiday rising 60% to 82% over the last two-years. The biggest rises by type of holiday included: beach holidays (up from 26% to 40%), city breaks (up from 13% to 33%), cruises (from 8% to 17%), and villa breaks (6% to 24%).
Garry Nelson adds: “It’s encouraging those with medical conditions feel confident about travel abroad. As specialists in this market, we have always championed the importance of people with medical conditions being able to travel with peace of mind.
That said, our research also reveals that many people with medical conditions are opting for basic travel cover or planning to travel with no cover at all. At this time of year, we encourage everyone with medical conditions to put safety first when buying travel insurance before travelling abroad, and make sure they have comprehensive, quality cover.