United Kingdom Turns to Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Portugal as Middle East Conflict Drives Demand for European Holidays and Travel Experts

Written By: Subhadip Dey

Subhadip Dey

I'm Subhadip Dey, a passionate traveler, wanderer, and travel journalist dedicated to bringing you the latest updates from popular destinations around the world. I love exploring new places, discovering unique experiences, and sharing insightful travel guides, tourism news, and destination stories. Follow me to stay informed about the latest travel trends, must-visit destinations, and everything happening in the world of travel.

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July 16, 2026 9:42 PM

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British holidaymakers are increasingly looking towards Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Portugal as geopolitical uncertainty reshapes international travel decisions. Recent ABTA travel research suggests that the Middle East conflict, changing flight availability and concerns about financial protection are encouraging more UK travellers to consider short-haul European holidays, professional travel advisers and package bookings.

Europe’s popularity is not simply a retreat from long-haul travel. It reflects a wider reassessment of convenience, cost, flexibility and security. Destinations with frequent direct flights from the United Kingdom are gaining particular attention as consumers seek holidays that appear easier to organise and less exposed to complicated transit arrangements. At the same time, many people are delaying reservations until closer to departure, creating a summer market shaped by late decisions and rapidly changing demand.

Middle East uncertainty changes UK holiday planning

Geopolitical tension can affect tourism long before a destination becomes directly inaccessible. Airspace restrictions, altered flight paths, airline cancellations and changing government advice can influence travellers whose planned holidays are hundreds or thousands of miles from the affected area.

The latest research commissioned by ABTA provides evidence of this changing mindset. Its nationally representative survey covered 2,000 UK adults and was conducted by The Nursery Research and Planning between 8 and 19 May 2026.

Among respondents considering a holiday during the following 12 months, 31 per cent said the conflict had made them more likely to book through a travel professional. This should not be interpreted as a 31 per cent increase in completed agency bookings. Instead, it reveals a significant rise in consumers’ stated interest in expert assistance.

The reasons are instructive. Knowledge was cited by 53 per cent of those showing greater interest in professional booking support, while 44 per cent identified expertise. A further 41 per cent valued the security associated with arranging a package holiday.

These findings suggest that uncertainty is changing what travellers expect from the booking process. Price remains important, but access to reliable information, practical support and clearly defined consumer rights is becoming more valuable. The full methodology and findings appear in ABTA’s summer holiday research.

Why Spain leads European holiday demand

Spain remains the most prominent destination in the survey, with 38 per cent of relevant overseas holidaymakers intending to visit the country. Its position reflects a combination of accessibility, established tourism infrastructure and extensive connections from British airports.

For UK travellers choosing Europe, Spain provides a wide range of experiences within a relatively short flight. The Canary Islands and Balearic Islands serve leisure markets throughout much of the year, while mainland destinations such as Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, Alicante and Seville attract city-break, beach and cultural visitors.

The scale of air connectivity also helps Spain appeal to travellers making last-minute summer holiday bookings. Multiple airlines operate between the United Kingdom and major Spanish destinations, giving consumers more departure choices than are usually available on specialist long-haul routes.

Spain’s familiarity can also reduce the perceived complexity of travelling during uncertain periods. Many British visitors already understand its resorts, transport systems and accommodation market, making it easier to compare prices and organise a holiday relatively quickly.

Italy attracts cultural and experiential travellers

Italy ranked second in ABTA’s destination findings, attracting interest from 23 per cent of surveyed overseas holidaymakers. Its continued popularity demonstrates that UK European holidays are not limited to traditional beach packages.

Rome, Florence and Venice remain major cultural destinations, while Milan appeals to fashion, design and business travellers. The Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia and the Italian lakes expand the country’s relevance to luxury, culinary and coastal tourism.

Italy holidays from the UK also benefit from a broad mix of full-service, low-cost and seasonal flights. This supports both advance reservations and spontaneous breaks.

For travellers concerned about distant airspace disruption, a direct journey to Italy can feel more manageable than an itinerary involving a long-haul connection. That perception may be particularly influential for families, older travellers and people taking shorter holidays.

France benefits from proximity and transport choice

France was selected by 19 per cent of relevant respondents, placing it third in ABTA’s ranking. Its advantage lies not only in geographical proximity but also in the variety of ways British travellers can reach it.

Flights, ferries, Eurostar services and private vehicles provide alternatives that few other international destinations can match. This transport diversity makes France holidays from the UK comparatively resilient when one mode of travel becomes expensive or disrupted.

Paris remains central to the country’s international appeal, but demand extends to Provence, Normandy, Brittany, the Loire Valley, the French Riviera and the Alpine regions. France can accommodate weekend breaks, family holidays, food tourism, ski travel and longer countryside itineraries.

For risk-conscious consumers, the ability to travel without relying exclusively on air transport may be particularly attractive. It also allows holidaymakers to adjust their plans when fares rise or flight availability changes.

Greece remains central to Mediterranean tourism

Greece captured 18 per cent of intended destination choices. Its islands and mainland resorts remain strongly associated with the European summer holiday market, particularly among British travellers seeking sunshine, beaches and culturally rich experiences.

Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Kos, Santorini and Mykonos serve different market segments, while Athens and Thessaloniki strengthen the country’s city and heritage tourism offering.

Greece holidays from the UK frequently operate through packages and seasonal charter programmes. This structure can appeal during uncertain periods because flights, accommodation and transfers may be organised under one contract.

Nevertheless, travellers should still examine booking terms carefully. Package protection does not eliminate every risk, and insurance remains essential for medical costs, cancellation circumstances and other events not covered by the organiser.

Portugal gains from accessibility and year-round appeal

Portugal was chosen by 15 per cent of relevant respondents, completing the five leading European destinations in the survey. Lisbon and Porto support urban and cultural tourism, while the Algarve remains a major leisure destination for British families, golfers and winter-sun visitors.

Madeira and the Azores broaden Portugal’s appeal to nature, wellness and adventure travellers. The country’s compact size and established tourism sector make it well suited to independent holidays as well as organised packages.

Portugal holidays from the UK are supported by direct services from numerous regional airports. This reduces the need for complicated connections and helps make the country accessible to travellers outside London.

European holidays dominate—but long-haul demand continues

ABTA found that 84 per cent of people planning an overseas holiday intended to visit at least one European destination. This indicates the strength of Europe within UK travel trends, but it does not mean that 84 per cent of confirmed bookings were European.

The data measures intentions rather than completed sales. Respondents could also select more than one destination, meaning the individual percentages cannot be added together to calculate market share.

Long-haul travel has not disappeared. The United States was selected by 13 per cent of respondents, while Australia and Japan each attracted 6 per cent. These results indicate that distinctive long-haul destinations remain attractive despite heightened uncertainty.

The wider shift is therefore better understood as a preference for flexibility rather than a rejection of long-distance travel. Consumers who feel confident about costs, insurance and flight arrangements continue to plan ambitious international journeys. Those seeking simplicity are more likely to choose familiar European destinations with frequent direct connections.

Travel experts gain relevance during disruption

The growing interest in travel experts highlights an important change in the digital booking era. Travellers have become accustomed to comparing flights and hotels independently, but complicated disruption can expose the limitations of organising every component separately.

A professional adviser may help a customer understand airline schedules, package conditions, alternative routes and destination requirements. If a trip is affected, the traveller has a defined point of contact rather than several unrelated suppliers.

This service becomes more valuable when travel advice changes quickly. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency maintains conflict-zone information for airlines and aviation operators. Its 2026 Middle East advisories have reflected changing risk levels affecting Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and parts of the Gulf region. The current position is available through EASA’s conflict-zone advisory register.

These aviation notices are primarily designed for operators rather than individual holidaymakers. However, the resulting airspace restrictions can affect passengers through longer routes, revised schedules and cancellations.

Travellers should therefore monitor their airline, tour operator and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before departure. A professional adviser can help interpret operational changes, but official travel advice remains the principal source for destination-specific guidance.

Package holidays offer reassurance—but not unlimited protection

ABTA found that 27 per cent of relevant respondents were more likely to book a package holiday than before the conflict. Among these travellers, 52 per cent valued having the different elements of the trip organised for them.

Another 48 per cent highlighted refund or replacement rights when the booked holiday could not be provided, while 38 per cent pointed to value for money.

A package can provide clearer responsibility because the organiser is accountable for delivering the combined holiday. Flight-inclusive packages sold by eligible UK businesses may also carry ATOL protection if the travel company fails financially.

However, ATOL does not operate as comprehensive disruption insurance. It is primarily a financial-protection scheme linked to the insolvency of an ATOL holder. Travellers can check the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s ATOL consumer guidance before purchasing.

Holidaymakers should distinguish between package rights, ATOL protection, airline obligations and travel insurance. Each covers different circumstances.

Last-minute bookings reshape the summer travel market

Uncertainty is also affecting when people reserve their holidays. Thirty per cent of those planning summer travel expected to book between two and four weeks before departure, while 10 per cent anticipated booking less than two weeks ahead.

The broader ABTA study found that 38 per cent of prospective travellers had delayed making a reservation. Among those postponing their decision, 43 per cent cited flight costs, 36 per cent identified the Middle East conflict and 33 per cent pointed to cost-of-living pressure. Overall holiday prices and concerns about jet-fuel availability were also influential.

These figures demonstrate that geopolitics is only one part of the story. Airfares and household finances remain at least as important to many consumers.

For tourism businesses, delayed booking patterns can create volatile demand. Hotels and airlines may experience slower early sales followed by sharp increases close to departure. Travellers hoping for last-minute bargains may find attractive offers, but they also risk encountering higher prices or limited availability during peak school-holiday periods.

ABTA’s wider consumer research found that 64 per cent of respondents planned to travel abroad during the following 12 months, down from 70 per cent in the previous comparable study. At the same time, 34 per cent expected to spend more on holidays. These contrasting results point to an uneven market in which some households continue to prioritise travel while others reduce or delay it. ABTA’s consumer sentiment report provides the supporting figures.

What UK travellers should consider before booking

Travellers planning European holidays should begin by checking whether their itinerary includes direct flights or a connection through an area exposed to disruption. A destination may be operating normally even when the selected route is vulnerable to airspace changes.

Booking conditions deserve equal attention. Flexible amendments, clear cancellation provisions and reliable supplier support can be more valuable than the lowest advertised fare.

Consumers should also verify that insurance covers their destination, planned activities and relevant disruption scenarios. Purchasing insurance immediately after booking can provide broader cancellation protection than arranging it just before departure.

Those selecting a package should confirm the organiser’s protection arrangements and retain all booking documents. Independent travellers should understand that separate airline and hotel reservations may have different refund conditions.

Conclusion

The United Kingdom’s growing interest in Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Portugal reflects a wider recalibration of international travel. Middle East conflict and aviation uncertainty are encouraging some holidaymakers to seek direct routes, familiar destinations, package protection and professional guidance.

Yet the trend should not be exaggerated. The research captures consumer intentions, not a verified surge in agency sales or completed European bookings. Price, household finances and flight availability are also shaping decisions.

Europe’s combination of accessibility, variety and extensive UK connectivity nevertheless places it in a strong position. As travellers become more cautious and bookings move closer to departure, travel experts who offer accurate information, transparent protection and responsive assistance are likely to play a more important role in the summer holiday market.