British holidaymakers planning 2026 breaks are widening their horizons, with current booking data showing non-EU destinations taking a far more prominent place among this year's top travel choices. According to a fresh analysis by travel specialists at Ski Vertigo, which compared disclosed package-booking and search figures with destination trends recorded a decade ago, holidaymakers are increasingly swapping traditional European hotspots for warmer weather, longer-haul options and better value.
The comparison reveals a stark transformation in how and where Brits are choosing to spend their time off. A decade ago, the top five destinations were exclusively inside the EU: Spain's Tenerife, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Majorca, as well as the Algarve in Portugal. Fast-forward to 2026, and the landscape looks radically different. Egypt’s Red Sea has soared to the number one spot, replacing European staples at the top of the leaderboards. Meanwhile, Antalya, Turkey, has also broken into the top five.
While traditional favourites in Spain remain vital to the UK travel market, the sudden rise of North Africa highlights a clear shift in consumer tastes.
A separate 2026 holiday audit points to a 12% surge in bookings to Tunisia, alongside a 21% jump in the broader leisure group, including Morocco, Turkey and Cyprus. Holidaymakers are increasingly willing to trade a five- or six-hour journey for guaranteed heat, expansive luxury resorts and better value, with Egypt’s Red Sea leading the pack for low-risk, all-inclusive reef breaks. Meanwhile, Antalya serves up ancient ruins and sprawling beach resorts just 4.5 hours from London, while Djerba, Tunisia, is driving a North African comeback with direct summer flights from London and Manchester to its Mediterranean shores.
It's not just where Brits travel that is evolving, but how and when they book. Luxury travel is on the rise, with five-star holiday packages now accounting for 24% of bookings, up significantly from 14% a decade ago. All-inclusive stays remain the top choice, capturing 46% of total bookings.
Holidaymakers are also booking closer to their departure dates. Roughly 36% of bookings in the 2026 snapshot were set to depart within 90 days, compared to 28% at the exact same stage in 2016 - a sign that late-deal hunting and spontaneous trip planning are becoming more popular.
Reflecting on the shifting trends, Alex Dyer, Managing Director at Ski Vertigo, said: "The appeal is clear. A slightly longer flight can open up warmer weather and a wider choice of all-inclusive resorts.
"Travellers still need to compare the whole trip, not only the hotel price. Passport validity, visa rules, insurance exclusions, and the latest regional advice should be checked before payment and again before departure."
Before booking a non-EU getaway, travellers must keep essential entry rules in mind. Turkey offers visa-free access for up to 90 days if your passport is valid for at least 150 days and has one blank page. Egypt requires a visa and six months of passport validity - though short Sinai stays offer exceptions - while Tunisia permits visa-free trips for up to 90 days with a passport valid for your stay, provided you budget for local hotel taxes and verify FCDO advice to keep travel insurance valid.
