Summer Travel Trend Forecast: Where Brits are really going this summer
Airbnb’s latest data shows how British holidaymakers are reshaping their summer travel habits in 2026 — with staycations, city-fringe escapes, and short-haul European trips dominating the landscape. UK Trends - Staycations up 11% YoY: Brits are favoring flexible, closer-to-home breaks. - Rural Retreats: Searches for destinations near National Parks are booming — Herefordshire (+76%), Staffordshire (+50%), Worcestershire (+48%). - City-Fringe Summers: Affordable outskirts of major cities are trending — Richmond upon Thames (+140%), Milton Keynes (+96%), Stirling (+79%). Short-Haul Abroad - Average distance: Just 317 miles from home, well below Europe’s 419-mile average. - Emerging hotspots: Novalja, Croatia (+273%) and Himarë, Albania (+92%). - Outdoor escapes: Portimão (+173%), Cortina D’Ampezzo (+115%), Estepona (+105%). What’s New with Airbnb - Summer Release 2026: Car rentals, luggage storage, grocery delivery, airport pickups, boutique hotels now integrated. - Boutique Hotels: Thousands added, including The Portobello Hotel (London), Monsieur Aristide (Paris), Hotel City – Palazzo Dei Cardinali (Italy). This paints a picture of Brits opting for slower, nature-driven breaks at home and short, accessible adventures abroad, while Airbnb evolves into a one-stop travel ecosystem.
Follow us on Insta
