Holiday companies have predicted a surge in bookings for UK summer breaks after a jump in interest from Britons fearful of flight cancellations linked to the Iran war.
Summer bookings are expected to rise in the coming weeks amid warnings of possible jet fuel shortages and resulting cancellations by airlines across Europe.
Raoul Fraser, the chief executive of Lovat, a holiday park operator with sites across south-west England, said traffic to its website had increased after reports of jet fuel warnings last week. “It is definitely having a positive impact for us,” he said.
“Our holidays bookings are up over 30% this year. It is a little bit like Covid, when people couldn’t get away and now they just want the certainty of a nice holiday in the UK.”
The holiday resort company Butlin’s, which has sites at Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness, said it was seeing “strong growth for the summer school holidays”.
However, its chief executive, Jon Hendry Pickup, said many families were still booking their holidays closer to the time, due to travel uncertainty and cost pressures.
“Normally we get somewhere in the region of 15% to 20% of people booking a holiday in the last four weeks before they come. Now it is roughly double that,” he said.
Jeremy Hipkiss, the managing director of the holiday parks company Landal UK, said: “Increasingly guests are choosing destinations closer to home that are easy to reach by car or public transport, giving them greater control over their plans.”
Hipkiss said that Landal’s parks in Cornwall, Scotland and Lincolnshire were “particularly popular”.
Peter Munk, the chief executive of Willerby, a specialist caravan manufacturer based in Hull, added that the cost of living pressure was also putting people off overseas travel. Inflation, which was steady at 3% in February, is expected to increase after the Iran war drove up global energy costs.
“It’s about the reality of inflation kicking off again,” he said. “Most people still want a holiday, so it might be that they have fewer days or move closer to home and not have that dream holiday.”
Travel spending fell in March for the first time since the pandemic travel restrictions lifted in 2021, dropping by 3.3%, according to data from Barclays. Spending on travel agents fell by 4.6%, airlines by 4.1%, and public transport by 2.9%.
However, Sinead O’Connor, a travel analyst at the research company Mintel, said even with the cost of living pressures, appetite for holidays remained strong.
She said its research showed 52% of Britons surveyed planned to holiday in the UK, with 49% heading overseas.
“We expect the value of the domestic holiday market to grow by about 7% this year, reaching close to £14bn and to outpace growth in overseas travel,” she said.
The overseas travel market is forecast to grow by 4.8% this year to £64.3bn, Mintel said.
Fears are rising that the oil crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East could lead to fuel shortages in Europe this summer.
Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, said there would be flight cancellations if oil supplies were not restored within the coming weeks.
On Friday, the International Air Transport Association’s director general, Willie Walsh, said flights in Europe could be cancelled because of a lack of jet fuel starting from the end of May.
“Along with doing everything possible to secure alternative supply lines, it’s important that authorities have well-communicated and well-coordinated plans in place in case rationing becomes necessary, including for slot relief,” he added.
This month, Michael O’Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, warned that Britain would be the most exposed to jet fuel shortages because it relies on Kuwait for about 25% of its supply.
Airlines around the world have already been forced to cancel some flights.
Last week, jet fuel averaged at $197.83 a barrel, according to the International Airport Transport Association, more than double the average last year.
The airport industry has told the European Commission that the system, which requires people from the UK and other non-EU countries to submit biometric data before entering the bloc, was causing delays of up to three hours for passengers.
Last week, more than 100 passengers missed an easyJet flight from Milan to Manchester because of delays triggered by EES checks.
This beautiful seaside town has been named among the best places to relocate to in America
Best city in the US to relocate to that Americans say is frozen in time(Image: Getty)
A recent study conducted by The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin examined working and living standards throughout the United States to identify the most desirable location to move to in America. The investigation took into account elements including annual earnings, insurance provision, living expenses, safety rankings, housing affordability, and general standard of living.
New Jersey was identified as one of the finest states to relocate to in 2026, for both living and employment purposes. Expatriates in New Jersey can anticipate generous wages, a secure setting, and pleasant weather conditions.
Among the premier retirement destinations in New Jersey is Cape May, a stunning coastal resort that “feels frozen in time”.
Cape May is a pedestrian-friendly historic town, and ranks amongst the most established seaside resorts, boasting 19th-century Victorian properties, delightful shops and excellent restaurants.
The area experiences a humid subtropical climate characterised by sweltering, muggy summers. According to Great Family Vacations, Cape May ranks as one of the top places to retire in the United States.
The picturesque town provides pensioners with a tranquil seaside way of life, picturesque shores, and a lively and hospitable community. The travel specialists stated: “Cape May, on the southernmost tip of New Jersey, is much more than another seaside retreat.”
American pensioner Michael Potts remarked: “Cape May is a nice Victorian town. It has terrific restaurants, great beaches and is laid-back. It has exactly what we were looking for.” Another pensioner remarked: “There’s endless walking in town and a path along the beach. The beaches are clean; the architecture is beautiful.”
British expats flocked to Tripadvisor to voice their opinions, with one noting that the American town feels like travelling back in time as it boasts “the largest concentration of Victorian houses in the US”.
Another resident said it brought back memories of Brighton. “The shops are especially similar. The beach in Brighton was all stones, which made it quite hard to walk. The pier in Brighton reminded me of some of the boardwalks in Wildwood or Ocean City, NJ.”
Other money-saving tips include leaving jewellery and laptops in the UK
12:02, 17 Mar 2026Updated 12:03, 17 Mar 2026
Britons urged to ‘leave watch at home’ this summer to save hundreds
Specialists at travel insurance firm Staysure have revealed the key factors that determine insurance prices and provided guidance on cutting costs when arranging your travel cover this summer. Travel insurance premiums can vary considerably depending on numerous factors, including existing medical conditions, age and your chosen destination.
Luckily, holidaymakers can slash costs by avoiding travelling with expensive valuables. The travel specialists recommended always “leave expensive valuables such as laptops, watches and jewellery at home”.
This is because “adding protection for valuable items, such as cameras or precious watches and jewellery, will push premiums higher”.
“If you need to insure expensive gadgets like cameras or valuables like watches and jewellery, your premium will be higher as there are pricier sums involved.
“Travelling without these items can help to lower the cost of your travel insurance policy and means you are at less risk of losing them,” reports the Express.
Premiums increase with age due to higher illness risk, especially for those aged over 65. Existing medical conditions are equally important as they raise the probability of needing emergency medical care abroad.
The specialists emphasised it is vital to consistently “declare all of your pre-existing medical conditions to ensure your policy is valid, should you need to make a claim”. Trip length and location also affect insurance costs, as extended holidays raise the chances that travellers might need emergency medical care.
Cover works out cheaper for countries deemed low risk, such as Spain, whilst high-risk destinations such as Sri Lanka may attract higher premiums due to repatriation costs.
The experts recommended opting for a lower-risk destination to cut expenses. “A change of country could save you hundreds. For example, a holiday to Paris will usually cost you less in insurance premiums than a trip to New York.
“It’s also important to check the country you are travelling to will be covered by your travel insurer. Some places in the world are considered too high risk.”
