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UK Summer Travel & Holiday Trends 2025

UK summer holiday travel insights and trends 2025.

How UK Travellers Are Shaping Summer 2025: Data, Destinations, and New Experiences

Travel Insights Podcast summary

In this episode of the Travel Insights Podcast, we provide an in-depth look at summer travel and holiday trends for the UK market, specifically examining the May to August period. Using a combination of internal battleface policy data and supplementary industry research, podcast host, Clay Coomer, spotlights major destinations for UK travelers, including Spain, Greece, and the United States. The analysis reveals that most policyholders are millennials, trips are trending shorter and more affordable than in previous years, and there’s an increase in solo journeys. The podcast also highlights a notable rise in demand for single trip insurance policies among UK travellers.

Broadening the discussion, we explore emerging trends and the tourism outlook for the UK. Visit Britain is forecasting record international arrivals for 2025, with spending—especially from American visitors—expected to surge. New and quirky travel trends are gaining steam, such as noctourism (nighttime experiences), comcations (getaways focused on wellness and mental health), cool-cations (seeking relief in cooler climates), and set-jetting (travel inspired by film and TV). The growing role of technology in travel is also emphasized, with AI-driven personalisation and smart tourism apps reshaping how UK travellers search and book their journeys.

The episode rounds out with a focus on sustainability and domestic destinations, noting that UK travellers are increasingly seeking greener options like sustainable accommodations and train travel. Wales is featured as an up-and-coming domestic hotspot, supported by government investment. Affordability remains the top concern for UK holidaymakers, and “booking burnout” is emerging as a real challenge. Finally, the expansion of new flight routes through airlines such as Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic is opening up even more options for both popular and off-the-beaten-path travel. Clay’s engaging presentation combines fresh data with actionable insights, making this episode a valuable listen for anyone interested in the future of UK travel.

Watch the latest episode right here via YouTube

Chapters

00:00 Exploring UK Summer Travel Trends

03:10 UK’s Sustainable Travel Evolution

08:21 Impact of Shorter Trips on Costs

11:16 Record 2025 UK Tourism Forecast

16:33 Emerging Travel Trends 2025

20:20 Sustainable Travel Practices in the UK

24:10 Travel Costs, Burnout, and AI Impact

26:45 Expanding UK Flight Routes

28:54 Expanding Global Connectivity with Direct Flights

Travel Insights Pod on YouTube 

Follow the podcast and get updated when new episodes drop by subscribing below.

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Listen to the latest episode right here via Spotify

Travel Insights Pod on Spotify 

Follow the podcast and get updated when new episodes drop by subscribing below.

Subscribe on Spotify

UK Summer Travel Trends 2025: Data Insights and Emerging Journeys

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Exploring where, how, and why UK residents are travelling this summer, plus the trends and transformations shaping the future of travel and holidays.

The sun is (hopefully) shining, the suitcases are packed, and UK travelers are embarking on their 2025 summer adventures. In the latest episode of the Travel Insights Podcast, Clay Coomer — Head of Marketing at battleface — digs into rich data and industry research to analyze key summer travel trends in the UK this year. From the rising appeal of domestic destinations like Wales to new buzzwords such as “noctourism” and the ever-growing role of technology, this season’s travel story is dynamic, diverse, and deeply data-driven.

Where are UK Travellers Going This Summer?

European Escapes Take the Lead

Using comprehensive policy data from battleface — supplemented by partner channels — a clear trend emerges: Europe remains the top choice for summer getaways. Spain and Greece lead the continent as the most popular destinations, echoing findings from British Airways’ 2025 Holiday Report and Visit Britain’s forecasts. Notably, trips to the United States follow closely, accounting for over 5% of all insured journeys.

Shorter, More Affordable Trips

Travellers are not just choosing where to go with care — they’re being mindful of how to go, too. Compared to last year, the average trip length has shortened from about 14 days to just 8-9 days, with insurance policy premiums reflecting that dip (down 19% year-over-year). The battleface data reveals most travellers this summer are millennials (average age 36), though Gen Z is also increasingly active, often opting for longer, adventure-filled trips.

Solo Adventures on the Rise

Another emerging detail? Many are taking to the skies solo. The average number of insureds per order is just 1.3, indicating a notable increase in solo travel or small group adventures.

Broader Trends Reshaping UK Summer Travel and Holidays

Sustainable & Green Travel

British travellers are placing sustainability at the heart of their plans — from seeking eco-friendly lodgings to choosing greener transportation like trains over flights. Reports by the BBC and The Guardian highlight growing interest in carbon reduction, thoughtful accommodations, indigenous-led tours, and carbon offsetting. Travel companies are responding with more green options and transparent eco-credentials, shaping a more conscious and responsible tourism landscape.

Noteworthy New Travel Trends

A few 2025 buzzwords you’ll want to remember:

  • Noctourism: Night-centric travel experiences, like stargazing and nocturnal wildlife safaris, are capturing the imaginations of British travelers, with over half expressing an interest in after-dark adventures.
  • Calm-cation: Prioritizing mental wellness and slow travel over packed itineraries.
  • Cool-cation: Escaping to chillier climates as a response to rising global temperatures.
  • Set-Jetting: Travelling to locations featured in books, movies or TV shows.
  • Off the Beaten Track: Exploring lesser-known destinations becomes mainstream.
  • Holiday Romance: Reviving the classic adventure of romance on the road.

Artificial intelligence and personalization are also front and center, powering smarter recommendations, immersive previews, and easier route-planning, as discussed at length via podcast insights and industry conferences.

The UK Itself: A Hotspot at Home

Wales Rises in Popularity

While international escapes abound, domestic tourism is surging in popularity. Wales, in particular, is being celebrated by sources such as BBC Travel and the Welsh government as a top UK destination for 2025, underpinned by new funding and a focus on authentic cultural experiences. This signals a shift towards discovering local treasures alongside global adventures.

Affordability, Economic Realities, and Travel Tech

Affordability is shaping every decision, with 64% of UK adults citing it as the key factor for booking holidays in 2025 (YouGov Business). Economic headwinds are prompting shorter, more budget-friendly trips — a trend mirrored in the battleface insurance data.

The intersection of technology and travel is further transforming the space. AI-driven platforms offer hyper-personalized, time-saving, and cost-effective recommendations, from itinerary planning to immersive destination previews and real-time connectivity enhancements (hello, Wi-Fi 7!).

Looking Forward: New Routes, New Horizons

With over 50 new routes launching from UK airports this year (from Ryanair to Virgin Atlantic and expanding to smaller airports and far-flung locales), the world is becoming even more accessible for British travelers. The push to connect previously underserved or niche markets means the adventure never stops evolving.

Final thoughts

The summer of 2025 is shaping up to be a season of discovery, adaptability, and meaningful change for the UK travel market. Whether it’s embracing sustainability, exploring new types of trips, or leveraging cutting-edge technology, UK travellers are carving out innovative pathways at home and abroad. As Clay Coomer and battleface remind us, the power of data-driven insights will continue to steer both the travel industry — and our journeys — toward a smarter, more connected, and eco-aware tomorrow.

Have some travel insights of your own? We want to hear from you!

Join us as a featured guest on the Travel Insights Podcast. Have a topic idea you’d like us to cover? Or just have general feedback about the podcast? We’d love to hear from you. Click below to send an email directly to the host of the Travel Insights Podcast.

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