Key takeaways:
- Australia, Singapore, and Egypt come out on top in 2024.
- Destination dupes, wellness escapes, and ecotourism on the rise.
- Brits go for budget, weather, and event-focused holidays for 2025.
- Brits regularly escape winter for seasonal opposites.
OnTrailVisa experts uncover key insights and predictions to help you choose your perfect holiday destination.
It’s no secret that we, Brits, love to travel. When it comes to places to visit, our preferences are constantly changing. While Europe has always been a top choice due to proximity and cultural overlaps, OnTrailVisa’s records show that British citizens are now looking further afield for their next destination.
Why does this matter to you?
Understanding where and how other UK citizens are choosing to spend their holidays is useful when planning your own trip abroad. Being aware of these trends can help you optimise your itinerary, save you money, discover new places, and avoid--or not--your fellow citizens.
Here we take an in-depth look at the top destinations for British tourists according to OnTrailVisa’s records, along with the latest data from other key industry reports. With this key information, you’re bound to find your dream holiday destination.
Methodology: the following report combines OnTrailVisa’s internal records (number of UK citizens applying for visas in 2023 and 2024) with recent insights from trusted sources like Future Market Insights, Skyscanner, London Luton Airport, and more.
Top 5 destinations for British tourists
According to OnTrailVisa’s data, between January 2023 and June 2024, the top 5 most long-haul destinations for our British clients were:
Chances are, one of our top-rated countries is already on your travel bucket list, right?
We've compared our data with the latest trends to figure out why these countries are topping all of our lists.
Australia: British tourists seek festival fun and sporting adventures
Accounting for almost 16% of visa requests received by OnTrailVisa in 2024, Australia remains a popular destination for British holidaymakers. There's no doubt that the warm climate and shared language are 2 big attractions, but other travel reports we looked at suggested other growing trends.
According to a UK study by Future Market Insights, “music festivals, food fairs, and cultural fêtes have become popular tourist highlights.” This has increased the need for “festival-oriented packages and logistics around main occasions.”
Major cultural events in Australia, such as the Adelaide Fringe festival, are an example of the ever-growing demand for event-based tourism.
We predict that, with major sporting events like the Australian Open tennis tournament and the Ashes cricket series coming up in 2025, Australia will continue to rank highly for those looking to blend a holiday with watching sports.
Singapore: safety first for Brits
Almost 11% of our document requests processed in 2024 have been for trips to Singapore. A big reason for this is that British passport holders don’t need a visa, they can enter with just their passport and a Singapore Arrival Card — a simple document you can get online with OnTrailVisa.
Singapore also tempts British nationals with its rich and diverse cuisine. Skyscanner’s Travel Trends report for 2024 highlights food as a key motivation for Brits choosing a holiday destination, with 52% of British visitors saying that eating is their favourite thing to do on holiday — we’re with you on that!
That’s not all. Singapore also ticks the boxes when it comes to other travel priorities. A 2024 report by the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) found that British tourists prioritise the following when picking a destination.
- Safety
- Hygiene
- Accessibility
- Convenience
We all know that Singapore is renowned for its exceptional standards of safety and cleanliness, consistently ranking as one of the safest countries in the world according to the Global Peace Index (GPI) and other indices. It was also rated one of the 10 most accessible cities in the world by a Valuable 500 survey in 2022.
Egypt: Brits chase culture and adventure
Egypt is our third-most requested country for travel documents in 2024. This reflects a strong attraction to further afield beach destinations like Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, with greater value for money than European options.
For example, as of July 2024, Booking.com shows a £400 difference between a 4-star hotel in Sharm El Sheikh and a 4-star hotel in Marbella. With this price difference, it’s not surprising that so many Brits are travelling further afield!
Reports we’ve studied provide other insights into Egypt’s popularity. London Luton Airport’s Travel Trends for 2024 show that almost half (47%) of UK travellers prefer exciting travel experiences, followed by unique (42%), and adventurous (33%). If this sounds like your type of trip, why not have a look into a desert oasis safari or Nile cruise!
It’s not all about action and adventure: Future Market Insights shows an increasing interest in wellness travel experiences, which explains why spa resorts along the Red Sea coast are becoming a trend. The Rixos hotel in Sharm and Sheikh and the Pickalbatros Blu Spa resort in Hurghada are especially popular.
Seasonal travel trends for Brits
Our data shows clear seasonal trends among British tourists. The following are the destinations UK passport holders choose at different times of the year, with our take on why.
Discover the shoulder season travel trick
Our records show a growing trend for “shoulder season” travel, where travellers take advantage of less-popular months to avoid the crowds and get cheaper deals. Egypt is a great example of the shoulder season trend, with our highest recorded visa requests being in spring and autumn.
As more people cotton on to this strategic travel approach, we predict other countries will become more and more popular off-season. Destinations like India are bound to be a key contender for this, with visitors seeking out milder weather conditions, cheaper accommodation costs, and fewer tourists.
Escaping British winter is a thing
An obvious trend for UK citizens is, surprise!, the need to escape the harshness of British winter.
Countries like Australia that have reversed seasons compared to the UK allow us to replace their winter for a summer holiday in 20 hours or less. Our records clearly show this trend, with the highest number of visa requests in January and February — making up over half of our total requests in 2023 and 2024 combined!
The only con to chasing a summer holiday during the UK’s winter is the need for long-haul flights, but OnTrailVisa’s data suggests that, for many Brits, the warmer climates are worth the effort.
The U.S. for all seasons
OnTrailVisa’s requests for U.S. ESTA authorisations are relatively stable throughout the year. We’ve recorded just a 24% difference between February and July 2023, compared to Australian document requests that more than double in February when compared to July.
Whereas February is clearly the high season in Australia for Brits looking to escape the cold, the U.S. does not show a distinctive high season for tourists. Here’s why we think this is the case:
- Wide variety of climates and landscapes
- Sporting events throughout the year
- ‘Bleisure’ trend (see below)
The U.S.’s wide variety of climates means there are ideal destination options all year round.
Different states are also appealing during different seasons. For example:
- New York in spring and winter
- Spring ski season in Colorado
- Summer in San Francisco
- Autumn in New England
- Winter in Chicago and Miami
A growing trend is ‘bleisure’, where travellers blend business trips with holidays — a habit that has boomed in recent years as remote working has become the norm. It’s likely that a key reason for all-year-round travel in the U.S. is due to the flexibility of ‘bleisure’ trips, where travellers try to squeeze in their annual leave whenever they can.
UK travel forecast for 2025
Stay ahead of travel with our expert predictions for 2025. We've analysed our data to make expert travel predications for the coming year.
The rapid rise of destination dupes
A key example of increased travel document requests is Cambodia, which saw an almost 28% rise in requests between January 2023 and June 2024.
It looks like we’re increasingly favouring Cambodia over similar countries like Thailand and Vietnam, as it offers a cheaper and quieter replacement to these tourist-saturated destinations. This reflects a growing trend among UK travellers in search of “destination dupes”.
Other examples of destination dupes are Albania, which has been dubbed as “the Maldives of Europe”, Krakow replacing Berlin, and Oman being favoured over Dubai. It’s likely that travellers from the UK will continue to search for alternative destinations like these to replace busier and more expensive countries.
Health and wellness at the top of the agenda
E-Ticket requests for the Dominican Republic have increased by almost 18% since 2023. Our research suggests one of the key reasons so many British tourists are choosing this destination is the ever-growing demand for wellness holidays.
The increasing focus on health and wellness trips could be down to post-pandemic stress levels, a rise in of holistic health practices, and a growing need for digital detoxes.
The continuing interest in wellness-focused activities make the Dominican Republic, with its abundance of yoga retreats, spas, and holistic health practices, the perfect choice. Egypt and Sri Lanka are also seeing increases in visitors thanks to their wide range of wellness options.
TikTok takes over travel
Social media now plays a huge part in travel planning, with 82% of UK TikTok users saying that the platform has inspired them to consider new destinations. 69% of UK users also say they’ve discovered a new travel brand through TikTok.
With social media platforms influencing us so much, we can make some solid predictions about popular destinations for the coming year. Looking at TikTok’s most posted-about places in 2024, Dubai, Paris, Istanbul, and New York, all rank the highest.
OnTrailVisa’s expert destination tips
Based on our findings from previous years and our predictions for 2025, our experts have put together some tips to help you plan your next trip.
Budget-friendly travel
With the cost of living greatly affecting UK residents, budget-friendly travel is a must for 2025. Here are some tips on how to maximise your budget:
- Destination dupes: Explore less tourist-saturated but equally stunning destinations. For example, Cambodia offers a cheaper alternative to Thailand and Vietnam.
- Flexible payment options: Opt for interest-free instalment plans to manage your budget more effectively.
- Early bird bookings: Take advantage of discounts by booking flights and accommodation well in advance.
- Off-peak travel: Travel during the shoulder seasons to benefit from lower prices and fewer crowds. For instance, visiting Australia in late autumn can be more affordable than during peak summer months.
Weather considerations
Weather continues to be a huge factor for British tourists. Here are some tips on using the seasons to your advantage:
- Winter escapes: To avoid the dreary British winter, consider destinations with opposite seasons like Australia or sunny spots like Egypt and Singapore.
- Coolcationing: With rising global temperatures, many travellers are opting for cooler destinations for a break from the heat.
- Sun-seekers' savings: Opt for countries that offer consistent sunny weather year-round, like the Dominican Republic or Egypt, which can often provide cheaper holiday packages outside peak tourist seasons.
Event-based travel
With a rise in event-based trips, here are some tips for planning the perfect holiday combo:
- Be budget-savvy: Take into account increased prices during key events.
- Festival packages: Look for special travel packages that include tickets to events and accommodations.
- Local celebrations: Research local festivals and holidays in your destination country.
Streamline your travel documents
As travel documentation becomes more and more complicated, we’re here to take away that stress, so you can focus on planning your next holiday.
OnTrailVisa gets your travel paperwork sorted completely online. Just fill in the form for your chosen destination, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Top UK tourist destinations 2024
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Australia eVisitor
Get your Australia visa and explore the stunning landscapes of Sydney, Melbourne, and the Great Barrier Reef.
The adventure of a lifetime awaits!
Delivery: 1 - 3 days
From: £ 80
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Egypt eVisa
Visit the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Valley of the Kings with your Egypt e-Visa.
Adventure awaits!
Delivery: 1-3 days
From: £ 46
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India eVisa
Apply for an India e-Visa and get ready for a trip of a lifetime!
Discover Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, and other top destinations.
Delivery: 1-2 days
From: £ 52
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Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC)
From the iconic Marina Bay Sands to the bustling streets of Chinatown, your Singapore SGAC is your key to an incredible journey.
Delivery: 1h -2 days
From: £ 63
Showing 3 of 30 destinations Show more
OnTrailVisa is your trusted travel document provider. We make clear and concise guides to entry requirements for your destination — know what you need to travel and plan your trip with confidence. Ready to apply? With our expert assistance, you can get your visa quickly and hassle-free.