Redion Holiday Barometer 2026 was conducted alongside a period of heightened geopolitical instability, including military escalation in the Middle East and significant disruption to major aviation hubs.
As a result, safety considerations have become more prominent. In 2026, safety is more central than ever to travel decision-making, yet the fundamental appetite for travel has remained intact.
This chapter explores how travelers are factoring risk into their decisions, and how safety considerations coexist with sustained enthusiasm and intent to travel.
Safety is now one of the most influential criteria when choosing a destination. It ranks as the top factor in North Asia and India, and continues to gain ground in Europe, where it has reached record importance levels.
Motivations for the choice of destination (%)
| Motivation | EU | West EU | South EU | East EU | North Asia | India | Oceania | Middle East | North America | South America |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I like the weather or climate in this country | 39 | 40 | 38 | 34 | 30 | 36 | 27 | 32 | 29 | 32 |
| I have already been there and wanted to return | 37 | 41 | 28 | 38 | 32 | 16 | 30 | 18 | 30 | 27 |
| It is a safe destination in terms of security | 30 | 28 | 30 | 33 | 37 | 37 | 30 | 24 | 32 | 18 |
| It offers activities I like, such as hiking or monuments to visit | 24 | 24 | 23 | 26 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 26 | 29 | 22 |
| I have friends or family to visit there | 19 | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 37 | 28 | 32 | 31 |
| I have friends or family that recommended it | 13 | 13 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 16 | 24 | 16 | 17 |
| I found a good deal to go there | 8 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 27 | 26 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 17 |
| It is a country with good healthcare infrastructures | 6 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 21 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 9 |
| I saw a documentary, film, article or book about this country | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 20 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 7 |
| A social media influencer posted a story that made me want to go | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12 | 26 | 5 | 17 | 6 | 5 |
| Other | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 1 | 11 | 5 |
The influence of armed conflict considerations on destination choice has reached record levels in Europe in 2026. A clear majority of travelers now state that this factor plays an essential role in their decision-making, confirming a structural shift rather than a temporary reaction.
The risk related to armed conflict in the destination zone (%), an essential role
| Region | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 23 | 21 | 49 | 57 | 59 |
| North America | 23 | 17 | 37 | 49 | 49 |
| Australia | 18 | 16 | 39 | 48 | 48 |
Factors that play an ‘essential’ role in choosing a destination (%)
| Factor | EU | West EU | South EU | East EU | North Asia | India | Oceania | Middle East | North America | South America |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The risk related to armed conflict in the destination zone | 59 | 55 | 65 | 61 | 64 | 55 | 51 | 59 | 48 | 53 |
| The risk of a terrorist attack | 53 | 48 | 60 | 58 | 68 | 62 | 48 | 58 | 47 | 55 |
| The risk of a personal attack, such as hold-up or attempted theft | 45 | 42 | 54 | 41 | 60 | 56 | 41 | 58 | 44 | 52 |
| The political climate in the destination country | 40 | 41 | 45 | 31 | 41 | 49 | 34 | 54 | 38 | 37 |
| The risk of a natural disaster, such as flood, heat wave, wildfire or storm | 38 | 33 | 47 | 40 | 57 | 58 | 32 | 51 | 32 | 51 |
| The risks of social unrest, such as strikes or demonstrations | 37 | 35 | 40 | 36 | 56 | 52 | 38 | 51 | 37 | 40 |
| Health risks | 34 | 31 | 42 | 31 | 59 | 58 | 37 | 55 | 36 | 51 |
| The cost of living in the destination country | 30 | 26 | 38 | 28 | 35 | 50 | 27 | 45 | 26 | 42 |
| The possibility that the destination will be overcrowded | 30 | 28 | 34 | 28 | 29 | 42 | 20 | 34 | 24 | 34 |
| Your ability to speak the destination country’s language | 21 | 19 | 25 | 22 | 24 | 41 | 20 | 36 | 27 | 39 |
| The ecological footprint of the trip | 16 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 18 | 42 | 15 | 37 | 14 | 31 |
Year-on-year increases are particularly pronounced in several countries. In Spain, 71% of travelers now cite armed conflict considerations as decisive (+8 points vs. 2025). Switzerland and the Czech Republic show similar upward trends, with increases of 9 and 8 points respectively.
A comparable dynamic is observed in North Asia, where the influence of armed conflict considerations continues to strengthen. At regional level, the share of travelers considering this factor essential has risen to 64%, up from 61% in 2025. South Korea illustrates this trend clearly, with the proportion increasing by 7 points year-on-year to reach 71%.
In response to the current context, more travelers are opting to holiday in their own country. This trend is particularly strong in North America and Europe, while domestic travel remains comparatively lower in North Asia and the Middle East, despite year-on-year growth. Only a small minority do not plan to travel at all, confirming that the shift is one of adaptation, not withdrawal.
In several regions, age plays a clear role in the growing shift toward domestic travel. Older travelers are consistently more likely than younger ones to plan holidays in their own country, reflecting a more cautious and risk-aware approach.
This generational divide is particularly visible in Europe, where over-55s are significantly more inclined than under-35s to holiday domestically (58% vs. 35%). A similar pattern emerges in North America, with 8 in 10 travelers over 55 planning a domestic trip, compared with just over half of younger travelers. Even in Oceania, age differences underline contrasting travel behaviours across generations.
Together, these trends suggest that the move toward closer-to-home travel is not purely geographical, it is also generational, with older travelers leading the shift toward perceived safety and familiarity, while younger travelers remain more internationally oriented.
Holiday plans in one’s own country this summer (%)
| Country | Share | % |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | ||
| EU | 47 | |
| France | 68 | |
| United Kingdom | 43 | |
| Belgium | 24 | |
| Germany | 31 | |
| Switzerland | 18 | |
| Austria | 36 | |
| Spain | 69 | |
| Portugal | 58 | |
| Italy | 70 | |
| Poland | 62 | |
| Czech Republic | 48 | |
| North Asia | ||
| Malaysia | 44 | |
| Hong Kong | 3 | |
| Japan | 77 | |
| Singapore | 4 | |
| South Korea | 35 | |
| India | ||
| India | 51 | |
| Oceania | ||
| Australia | 49 | |
| New Zealand | 44 | |
| Middle East | ||
| Saudi Arabia | 27 | |
| UAE | 17 | |
| North America | ||
| United States | 66 | |
| Canada | 66 | |
| South America | ||
| Argentina | 73 | |
| Brazil | 79 | |
| Mexico | 75 | |
Despite the rise in domestic travel, travelling abroad continues to be the preferred option for June-to-September vacations in many regions, confirming that international mobility remains a strong aspiration where conditions allow. France, Italy and Spain are once again the top destinations for travel, attracting visitors well beyond Europe.
Top 6 foreign destinations planned this summer
| Destination | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1Italy | 14 of 23 countries | 14 of 26 countries |
| 2Spain | 11 of 23 countries | 12 of 26 countries |
| 3France | 11 of 23 countries | 11 of 26 countries |
| 4Greece | 10 of 23 countries | 10 of 26 countries |
| 5Australia | 6 of 23 countries | 9 of 26 countries |
| 6United States | 8 of 23 countries | 7 of 26 countries |
| 6Japan | 10 of 23 countries | 7 of 26 countries |
| 6United Kingdom | 6 of 23 countries | 7 of 26 countries |
Ideal destination for summer vacation in 2026 (%)
| Region | Breakdown | Travel | vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | 85 | = | |
| West EU | 84 | = | |
| South EU | 86 | −1 | |
| East EU | 83 | −2 | |
| North Asia | 83 | +2 | |
| India | 90 | +3 | |
| Oceania | 89 | −1 | |
| Middle East | 86 | +6 | |
| North America | 81 | = | |
| South America | 83 | new |
-x/+x : Significantly evolution vs 2025
Regional patterns, however, differ markedly. South America shows the strongest preference for holidays within one’s own country, while domestic travel also remains dominant in Southern Europe, India and North America.
In the United States, although a clear majority still plan to holiday domestically, appetite for international travel is recovering: the share of travelers for whom traveling abroad is the ideal vacation has increased by four points since 2025, reaching 29%.
A similar preference for staying closer to home is observed in countries such as Spain (55%), Japan (55%), France (51%) and Italy (50%).
Where travelers do choose to go abroad, proximity increasingly matters. Across most countries, planned international trips favour nearby destinations, reflecting a desire to limit distance while preserving the benefits of travelling overseas.
This pattern is visible across regions: in New Zealand, Australia remains the top foreign destination (33%), while in Singapore, travelers most frequently plan trips to Japan (26%).
This growing preference for nearby destinations, combined with geopolitical tensions and disruptions affecting major Gulf airport hubs, is reshaping long-haul travel. Asia has become a less prominent holiday choice in 2026, particularly among European and North American travelers.
In Europe, the share planning a trip to Asia has fallen by eight points (to 7%), while interest in Africa has also declined. In North America, every region outside the Americas has seen reduced demand since 2025, with Asia registering the sharpest drop after several years of growth.
Destinations’ zones favored by North Americans in 2026 (%)
| Zone | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| America | 84 | 84 | 76 | 74 | 80 | +6 |
| Europe | 24 | 21 | 34 | 33 | 25 | −8 |
| Asia | 11 | 12 | 20 | 23 | 11 | −12 |
| Africa | 5 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 4 | −3 |
| Oceania | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 | −3 |
-x/+x : Significantly evolution vs 2025
The Middle East stands apart from these trends. While Asian and African destinations have also seen reduced demand here, interest in destinations in Europe and the Americas has increased. In a region directly affected by current events, the preference for reassurance plays out differently, leading travelers to look further afield rather than closer to home.
Destinations’ zones favored by Middle Easterns in 2026 (%)
| Zone | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia | 83 | 84 | 71 | −13 |
| Europe | 32 | 31 | 40 | +9 |
| Africa | 34 | 34 | 29 | −5 |
| America | 13 | 11 | 21 | +10 |
| Oceania | 3 | 5 | 7 | +2 |
-x/+x : Significantly evolution vs 2025
Since 2024, the Holiday Barometer has tracked which destinations travelers are prepared to set aside when the political climate becomes a decisive factor. Consistent with previous editions, avoidance is driven by perceived risk, with travelers primarily citing countries affected by active conflict, political instability or strained diplomatic relations.
In 2026, Afghanistan and Iran top the list, featuring among the five most-avoided destinations in almost every country surveyed.
The UAE, absent from last year’s rankings, now emerges as a notable addition, directly reflecting the impact of heightened tensions in the Middle East on travel trade-offs.
Patterns of avoidance are also evolving. After entering the ranking in 2025, the United States remains firmly positioned among the destinations travelers would set aside, ranking first in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Israel continues to feature prominently. By contrast, Russia and Ukraine have receded sharply: whereas Ukraine appeared in the top five for nearly all countries last year, it now features in only one, Switzerland, underscoring how perceptions of risk can evolve depending on current events and perhaps media coverage.
Top 5 destinations that travelers could give up due to political or social climate
| Destination | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1Afghanistan | 4 of 23 countries | 25 of 26 countries |
| 2Iran | 6 of 23 countries | 24 of 26 countries |
| 3Israel | 18 of 23 countries | 23 of 26 countries |
| 4United States | 17 of 23 countries | 21 of 26 countries |
| 5UAE | 0 of 23 countries | 14 of 26 countries |
| 6Russia | 22 of 23 countries | 12 of 26 countries |
Included in the Holiday Barometer for the first time, South America reveals a distinctive travel profile, shaped by different seasonal patterns, travel companions and accommodation preferences.
Nearly three-quarters of South Americans (74%) travel for leisure at least once a year, a lower proportion than in North Asia (81%) and North America (82%), but still reflecting a solid and recurring travel habit. For most, travel is an annual event, with 41% travelling once a year, while a smaller but notable share (11%) travel three times or more.
Seasonality plays a defining role in how travel is organised. As in Oceania, December (30%) and January (23%) are the most popular months to travel for the people traveling at least once in the year, with July also attracting a significant share. Outside these peak periods, travel is more evenly spread across the year, a sharp contrast with Europe and North America, where holidays remain heavily concentrated between June and September. This seasonality is mirrored in trip length: December is most often when South Americans take their longest trip (28%), followed by January (21%), February and July (both 15%).
Who people travel with also sets South America apart. Travelers are most likely to plan their summer holidays with their partner (55%) and their children (42%), placing South America among the regions where family travel is most prominent, second only to the Middle East and India for trips with children. This contrasts with Europe, where travel is more strongly partner-oriented.
Accommodation choices further underline this distinct profile. Hotels remain the most common option (37%), but are less dominant than in Europe, Oceania or North Asia. House or apartment rentals (29%) and staying with friends or family (26%) play a more important role, as do all-inclusive resorts (21%), reflecting preferences for value, familiarity and shared experiences.
Taken together, South America illustrates how travel behaviours are shaped not only by global dynamics, but by regional rhythms. Distinct seasonality, family dynamics and accommodation choices coexist with the broader global trends identified in this report, reinforcing the importance of adapting travel experiences to local expectations.
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