Half-term holidays are a go as families head to Europe for the school break

May proving a busy month for travel despite economic and geopolitical challenges

Families looking to escape the UK for May half-term are jetting off on short-haul breaks, with holiday favourites in the Mediterranean proving popular.

With most schools breaking up on Friday, this weekend is set to be a busy one for travel with families looking to make the most of the half-term by heading abroad on holiday.

May is typically a popular month for travel – with ABTA’s most recent research showing that 17% of UK adults who planned to take a holiday abroad saying they planned to do so during this period¹.

Many ABTA members are reporting strong demand for short-haul sunshine breaks in May and over half-term, particularly to Spain, Italy, the Balearic and Canary Islands, Portugal, Croatia and Greece. Popular beach destinations include Majorca, Alicante and Tenerife.

City breaks are also in demand, with Milan, Nice, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam, Budapest, Dublin and Rome among the leading destinations. Some ABTA members are also reporting strong bookings for cruises so they can visit multiple spots in the Mediterranean.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive, said:

“In the face of economic and geopolitical challenges people are still getting away on their holidays this May and making the most of some excellent deals.

“The appeal of holidays abroad, and our determination to enjoy them continues to be strong, with there being no replacement for experiencing different landscapes, cultures, cuisine, and the people and experiences other places offer.

“For many, it’s about choosing a holiday that offers both value and peace of mind, which is where package holidays prove their worth.”

Notes to editors

¹ Statistics are from ABTA’s annual Holiday Habits survey, carried out each summer by The Nursery Research and Planning (www.the-nursery.net) with a nationally representative sample of 2,001 UK adults. The 2025 survey took place between 21st July and 1st August. While this is ABTA’s most recent specific research data about holidays in May, it is our belief that the data broadly holds true in terms of current consumer intentions.  

ABTA is a trade association for UK travel agents, tour operators and the wider travel industry. We’re the largest travel trade body, with over 3,500 travel brands in membership who have a combined annual UK turnover of over £41 billion. We work closely with our members to help raise and maintain standards and build a more sustainable travel industry, and provide travellers with advice, guidance and support.

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