Over 13 million Brits already booking travel plans for 2024

Of these respondents, over a third (37 per cent) said they booked early to avoid disappointment from sold out flights or accommodation. Having something to ‘look forward to over the winter months’ was the second biggest reason, following closely at 31 per cent.

The research, conducted by Opinium between 14 and 20 November 2023 using a sample of 2,000 UK-representative adults, also found that Brits are looking to spend an average of £1,756 on international trips in 2024 – with an average of two holidays planned for next year.

Top travel destinations

Next year’s top five foreign destinations for UK travellers remains largely unchanged from 2023’s. At the top of the list is Spain, with 15 per cent of Brits planning a trip there – followed by Italy in second place (12 per cent). France (11 per cent) and Greece (10 per cent) are also hold-outs from the 2023 list.

The only new entry is the US, which comes in joint fifth alongside the Canary Islands, with eight per cent of respondents looking to visit each of those destinations.

Additionally, two thirds (66 per cent) of UK adults are planning a domestic holiday in 2024 – with Cornwall and the Lake District being top destinations.

Seeking relaxation

Six in 10 respondents cited ‘relaxation’ as their top priority when looking for a holiday, while nearly half sought out good local food (43 per cent) or culture (41 per cent). Millennial travellers were the most adventurous demographic, with a third of them (31 per cent) looking for a ‘thrill’.

Almost half (46 per cent) were looking to have a coastal holiday, while almost a fifth (17 per cent) were looking to visit ‘off the beaten track’ destinations.

American Express also released its 2024 Trending Destinations list in November.