Tripadvisor Travel Index Reveals Brits Will Hang on to Summer Holidays this Year Despite Feeling the Pinch

As temperatures become more balmy this week and the school summer break is just a couple of months away, many will be eager to book a holiday – if they haven’t done so already – but where are the hotspots to head to this summer?

Tripadvisor today released its Summer Travel Index, using a combination of search and sentiment data to reveal what is on the minds of British travellers ahead of the busy summer travel season and where they plan to go.

Imange of Analipsi

Brits won’t sacrifice their precious summer holiday

While inflation is a significant concern for the majority of Brits, over three-quarters (77%) report that they are “extremely” or “very” concerned about the rising costs of goods and services, travel remains a top priority with a staggering 90% of UK survey respondents planning to travel this year – 42% more than last summer. 

In fact, so determined are they to have that all-important holiday, they are more than willing to make other sacrifices to ensure that they can afford it. Nights out (60%) and dining out (57%) are top for the chop as Brits make cuts to non-essential spending in order to fund their travel this year.

Despite money woes hitting many at the moment, 86% of UK respondents say that they are planning to spend at least the same or more on travel this summer.

Image of Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa

Greece tops the list of most popular summer hotspots abroad

While Brits are steadfast in their determination for holiday this year, rising costs will have some effect on plans this summer as over a quarter (27%) say that they are plannng to take shorter trips and almost a third (30%) will travel closer to home. Domestic travel is still leading the way as the preferred choice for Brits planning trips as almost two thirds (62%) are opting for a staycation versus 42% who are going abroad.

For those who are looking for an overseas escape this summer, according to Tripadvisor site data which analysed searches made by UK travellers for travel over the summer months, Analipsi in Crete, Greece is the number one choice. This Cretan village is surrounded by fields and olive groves and has managed to remain a bit of a hidden gem compared with the two resorts that it is sandwiched between – Hersonisos Heraklion. This under the radar status means that it still has a beautifully traditional vibe, with whitewashed buildings, beautiful gardens and locals plotted up in the village square to play backgammon.   

Top things to do in and around Analipsi include a visit to Psychro Cave, the birthplace of Zeus and an olive oil tasting tour. The best-rated restaurant in the village is Sirtaki and Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa is the #1 hotel according to Tripadvisor reviewers.

Image of Zeus Cave

Paris, France comes in as the second most sought after destination for Brits, followed by Antalya in Turkey. Unusually, Spain – a historically popular summer spot for UK travellers – doesn’t feature in the top four this summer. However, three Spanish destinations do make the top ten with Barcelona, Benidorm and Costa Adeje ranking fifth, seventh and ninth respectively.

When it comes to domestic destinations, the city break theme comes through strongly, as all but one of the ten most searched destinations for summer are UK cities. London tops the list, followed by Edinburgh and Liverpool coming in second and third respectively. Three seaside resorts, Blackpool, Bournemouth and Brighton rank among the top ten placing fourth, eighth and ninth respectively.

Most Popular Destinations for Brits this Summer

Greener Travel: Brits yet to put their money where their mouth is

A lot has changed since the pandemic hit over two years ago. As the world was locked down and planes were grounded, the effect of travel on the planet became an ever more hot topic. However, as the next few months mark the first summer in two years that travellers will really get back out there and see the world again, is sustainability still top of mind? 

Tripadvisor’s Summer Travel Index shows that while almost three-quarters (70%) of Brits think sustainable travel is more important than it was pre-pandemic, this isn’t translating to action, as almost two-thirds (63%) have not yet spent more on sustainable travel. And while more than half (51%) of UK travellers worry about their carbon footprint when planning travel, 63% said they have done absolutely nothing to offset it.

It’s not all bad though, a whopping 86% state that they practice some sustainable habits while travelling, including eating and shopping locally at destinations, and travelling closer to home. And while they haven’t yet done it, almost two-thirds (65%) of UK travellers say they’re open to spending more to travel sustainably in the future.

Cover photo is of Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa - best rated hotel