UK Travellers Plan Earlier

UK holiday-makers are already thinking ahead to 2026 - not just “where” but “when” and “how often”. From longer trips to earlier bookings, the landscape of travel is shifting.

Recent data from Marriott Bonvoy reveals that 77% of UK travellers intend to take the same number or more holidays in 2026, and almost 80% plan them earlier than ever before.

Meanwhile, Explore Worldwide’s trend report forecasts that 2026 will bring more travellers opting for longer stays, off-peak timing, and destinations less influenced by social media hype.

THE FEELING

It’s a subtle shift: the excitement isn’t just about the destination any more - it’s about choice, time, intent. The feeling is of one more trip, one more day, one more escape that’s planned not in haste but in hope.

NEED TO KNOW

Book early: With more travellers planning ahead, “late deals” may be less abundant.

Consider off-peak: As 2026 bookings rise, shoulder seasons and quieter months become smarter value.

Prioritise experience: Longer stays or multi-destination trips are gaining ground.

Travel differently: Reports suggest growth in rail journeys, lesser-known destinations and immersive wellness escapes in 2026.

The future of travel isn’t just further-flung, it’s more deliberate. For UK travellers, 2026 may be less about “where next?” and more about “when and how often?”. And in that shift, the feeling is simple: more moments, more memories.