Consumers are delaying holiday bookings – survey

Many consumers are delaying booking holidays amid the conflict in the Middle East and the rising cost of living, according to new research.

Travel trade organisation Abta, which commissioned the study, acknowledged it is “not an easy time for travel” but insisted it remains “hopeful for a strong summer”.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults indicated that 30% of those planning to travel abroad this summer intend to book their trip two to four weeks in advance, with a further 10% aiming to confirm their itinerary even closer to the departure date.

Of those planning to take a trip over the next 12 months, 38% of respondents said they have delayed booking.

Among the most common reasons for doing so is waiting to see what happens with the costs of flights, which was given by 43% of respondents.

Other frequent explanations are wanting more certainty over the cost of living (33%) and holiday prices (31%), the conflict in the Middle East (36%) and the availability of jet fuel (26%).

The proportion of people who said they would spend less on their holiday than a year ago was 20%, up from 15% in 2025.

Some 64% of those polled said they intend to travel abroad over the next 12 months.

That represents a softening from 70% who gave the same response to a similar survey conducted a year earlier.

Speaking ahead of Abta’s Travel Matters conference in Westminster on Tuesday, the organisation’s chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “The appetite and interest to travel remains, and we continue to be hopeful for a strong summer season.

“There is plenty of competition in the market, which will ensure customers continue to get good value for their money.

“Clearly it is not an easy time for travel.

“Not only do our members have to contend with the impact of the conflict in the Middle East, and its uncertainty, but also rising costs, such as increased business rates and air passenger duty.

“At times like these, collaboration and an open dialogue with Government is key to ministers and officials understanding the pressures all parts of the industry are under, and exploring the solutions.”

Abta commissioned research company The Nursery Research to conduct the survey of 2,000 UK adults between May 8-19.