Advantage Travel Partnership’s latest industry report shows significant growth in leisure travel, shifting trends in booking patterns and changes within specific sectors.
The latest trading data insights for 2025 show that in comparison to last year leisure travel has seen significant growth this year, with overall sales increasing by 12% and the average booking value increasing by 9%.
The growth is evident across various segments, including short-haul, long-haul, cruise, touring and adventure.
Short-haul sales are up 6%, with a 4% increase in average booking value, with the top destinations for the year being Spain and the Canary Islands, Greece, and Turkey. The most sought-after individual destinations within these countries are Mallorca, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Alicante and Antalya.
The findings reveal the re-emergence of destinations such as Egypt, Tunisia and Malta, which saw booking increases of up to 117%.
Long-haul travel remains on the rise with bookings having risen by 19% in 2025 as UK travellers continue to book holidays to the Maldives, USA, UAE, Caribbean, Thailand and Japan.
Advantage members have seen cruise bookings grow by 10%.
The growth in cruise bookings has been driven by a variety of segments, with expedition cruises surging by 34%, river cruises by 24% and Luxury cruises by 13%. Ocean cruises also experienced a strong 10% increase.
Consumer booking habits are also shifting: periods are being extended up to 15 months to allow for ‘bucket list travel’ and late notice travels as 46% of summer 2025 bookings were made within 12 weeks of departure.
The report suggest that ‘Ultra Late’ and ‘Ultra-Early’ bookings are set to become the next emerging trend.
Advantage notes that 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of all-inclusive holiday – and 45% of all bookings for trips this summer were for this category, up from 40%
The rise of all-inclusive resorts has been driven by travellers’ growing demand for convenience, value and stress-free planning.
John Sullivan, Commerical Director of Advantage Travel Partnership, said: “There’s a clear and growing desire among consumers in 2025 to prioritise travel, with many seeing it as a necessity rather than a luxury.
“After years of shifting global dynamics and changing priorities, people are more eager than ever to invest in experiences that offer adventure, cultural connection, and personal fulfilment,” he said.
