easyJet’s new travel report shows dark sky tourism, padel holidays and Gen Z trends are dominating summer bookings to Spain and beyond
Holidaymakers are heading to Spain in hope of catching the solar eclipse (Image: Getty Images)
Dark skies tourism is set to be one of the top travel trends this summer, driven by a growing fascination with astronomy and astrophotography, according to The Great British Holiday Audit by easyJet and easyJet Holidays. The report highlights a surge in bookings for Spanish hotspots like Valencia, Palma Mallorca, and Ibiza, particularly around August 12th, as travellers aim to combine sun-soaked breaks with catching the solar eclipse.
These locations are perfectly situated in the eclipse’s path and benefit from long, clear summer days. And the trend is especially popular among Gen Z and has been amplified by TikTok, following a wave of interest sparked by the Northern Lights visibility in the UK in 2025.
Beyond astronomical events, longer short-haul flights of five to six hours are also becoming the “new norm”. For example, Tunisia saw a 12% increase in easyJet flights, particularly to the island of Djerba. Meanwhile, Tbilisi, Georgia is gaining traction as a popular city-break destination.
And travel to longer-leisure hotspots such as Morocco, Turkey, and Cyprus has seen a 21% rise.
Travel writer Nigel Thompson, who co-authored the report, said: “We’re seeing travellers plan around passions and purpose – whether that’s spirituality, culture, sport or nature.
“It looks like 2026 is about meaning as much as mobility, but value remains a key factor.”
‘Gen P’ travellers (those in their formative educational years during the pandemic) are embracing European pilgrimage routes like Santiago de Compostela and Lourdes.
Also, the return of hit TV shows like The White Lotus to Europe is expected to drive interest in destinations across the south of France as part of a ‘screen-led’ travel.
Similarly, ‘canon country tourism’—visiting locations made famous in literature and modern retellings, such as Verona (Shakespeare) and Pamplona (Hemingway)—is on the rise, with 28% of holidaymakers choosing a destination based on TV, books, or film.
What’s more, the padel phenomenon is fuelling sports-focused holidays, particularly in Spain, where the sport has surpassed tennis in popularity. The research found 10% of holidaymakers are now trying padel or pickleball while on holiday.
Additionally, many fans are opting to travel to European fan zones to soak up the atmosphere of events like the World Cup, saving time and money compared to travelling across the Atlantic.
While these trends take off, travellers are also adapting their booking and holiday habits, with many holidaymakers increasingly using vlogs and VR to explore destinations before making a booking.
As for parents with pre-school children, they are maximising flexibility and travelling more before term-time restrictions begin. While on the other end of the spectrum ‘Home Alone’ Parents (those without adult children or pets) are rediscovering the freedom to travel.
Garry Wilson, CEO at easyJet Holidays, summarised the findings: “In 2026, there’s a clear desire to make holidays count… people are prioritising connection, wellbeing and memories that last, not just time away.”
THE 15 TRENDS THAT WILL DEFINE HOW BRITS TRAVEL IN 2026:
- Longer short haul – Bringing destinations that blend distance with convenience into easy reach
- Try before you fly – Utilising immersive technology like VR, or short-form video platforms to experience the destination first through someone else’s eyes
- Translation Exploration – Embracing adventure and veering off the beaten track with the confidence of strong language translators including AI instant translate
- Pre-School’s Out – Parents with younger children cram holidays in before term time constraints take their toll
- Dark sky tourism – European dark sky spots to enjoy their day in the sun as Gen Zer’s travel to pursue newfound interests in astronomy and astrophotography
- Take your pickle… or padel – Booking holiday destinations based on new sporting activities on offer, including pickleball, padel or paddleboarding.
- Wardrobe wanderlust – selling clothes on sites such as eBay, Vinted or Depop to put towards travel budgets, decluttering at the same time
- The White Lotus effect – set to return to Europe in 2026, travellers will look to replicate the luxury seen on the silver screen
- Canon country tourism – Visiting historic towns and landscapes rediscovered through classic literature or their modern retelling, from Shakespeare’s Verona to Hemingway’s Pamplona.
- Sun – without – screen – Exploring inventive or classic ways to reduce screentime whilst on holiday, but prioritising an analogue way of life
- Community influence – Taking the online travel community off-line by joining on group travel trips organised by travel content creators, experts in their own rights
- Wealth of experience – Prioritising experiences within travel, culture and personal enrichment over assets
- Home alone – Taking more holidays as a parent of adult children with a live-in house or pet-sitter (your adult children)
- Gen-P – Exploring historic religious pilgrimages as a reason to travel, from Santiago de Compostela to Lourdes
- Putting the world in cup – Using major tournaments like the 2026 World Cup as a reason to travel to teams’ home countries, watching iconic matches surrounded by local fans
