Longer short-haul flights, dark sky tourism, AI translation tools and screen-free sun are among 15 trends reshaping how Brits travel in 2026, according to Easyjet's Great British Holiday Audit 2026. Olivia Palamountain reports

The latest travel trend report from Easyjet and Easyjet Holidays reveals the drivers shaping where UK holidaymakers plan to go this year, with trends driven by culture, sport, nature and generational differences.

In a survey of 2,000 British holidaymakers, the Great British Holiday Audit 2026 found more than half (52%) are planning to visit a new country in 2026, with the same proportion planning two or more holidays and 6% hoping to take more than five trips.

Rather than choosing destinations by price and proximity alone, travellers are planning trips around defining moments: watching a solar eclipse (subscribe to VOLT to read up on the Dark Sky Tourism trend, as predicted in 2024), following historic pilgrimage routes, travelling in the footsteps of favourite TV shows or novels – think set-jetting – or flying to play or watch sport.

In fact, the report signals that more than a quarter of us (28%) would pick a destination based on TV, books or film, while 1 in 10 surveyed are giving padel or pickleball a go while on holiday.

The opportunity to "try before you fly" is gaining traction, such as planning trips via vlogs and VR experiences of destinations before booking. Technology is also removing language barriers, giving travellers the confidence to explore new destinations. Nearly a quarter of Brits (22%) now embracing translation technology abroad and over half (52%) are planning to visit a new destination in 2026.

Longer short-haul flights of five to six hours are becoming the norm, unlocking destinations that blend adventure with value. Tunisia and its lesser-known island of Djerba continue to grow in popularity, with Easyjet seeing a 12% increase in flights to the country in 2026. The Georgian capital of Tbilisi is gaining traction for city breaks thanks to new direct routes from the UK. This year the airline is seeing a 21% increase in flights to longer-leisure destinations like Morocco, Turkey and Cyprus compared to last year.

The report, featuring contributions from travel writer Nigel Thompson, points to holidays now being shaped more by what people care about, not just where they go.

Thompson says, “We’re seeing travellers plan around passions and purpose – whether that’s spirituality, culture, sport or nature. It looks like 2026 is about meaning as much as mobility, but value remains a key factor.”

The 15 trends defining British travel in 2026:

1. Longer short haul - destinations that blend distance with convenience
2. Try before you fly - using VR and video platforms to experience destinations first
3. Translation exploration - using AI instant translate to venture off the beaten track
4. Pre-school's out - parents cramming holidays in before term-time constraints
5. Dark sky tourism - Gen Z pursuing astronomy and astrophotography
6. Take your pickle... or padel - booking destinations based on sporting activities including pickleball and padel
7. Wardrobe wanderlust - selling clothes on Vinted or Depop to fund travel
8. The White Lotus effect - replicating luxury seen on screen
9. Canon country tourism - visiting towns from classic literature
10. Sun-without-screen - reducing screentime on holiday
11. Community influence - joining group trips organised by travel content creators
12. Wealth of experience - prioritising cultural enrichment over assets
13. Home alone - parents of adult children taking more holidays
14. Gen-P - exploring historic religious pilgrimages
15. Putting the world in cup - travelling to teams' home countries during major tournaments

Kenton Jarvis, Easyjet CEO sys: “We’re always looking at ways our customers plan book and holiday and can already see some shifts in customer behaviour, like longer short-haul routes growing in popularity and technology playing a greater role both in making unfamiliar destinations feel accessible and helping us operate efficiently to keep fares low and journeys seamless.

“It is great to see more people exploring new destinations, using new technology in innovative ways and seeking out alternative experiences and I am proud of the part easyJet continues to play in helping to shape how each generation travels, while always aiming to make travel easy and accessible for all.”

“In 2026, there’s a clear desire to make holidays count,” Garry Wilson, CEO at Easyjet Holidays, adds: “We’re seeing customers become far more intentional about how and when they travel, whether that’s getting away before everyday routines take over, switching off from screens, or planning trips around meaningful moments you simply can’t recreate at home.

“From community organised trips to experience-led breaks, people are prioritising connection, wellbeing and memories that last, not just time away. At easyJet Holidays, we’re focused on supporting customers with flexible options and a wide choice of destinations, helping them plan holidays that fit around what matters most to them.”