Cooler Resorts or Winter Breaks? UK Travelers Face Summer Scorching
After the UK set its hottest week on record, the nation’s vacation lovers are ditching the usual south‑European sun for places where the thermostat stays more reasonable.
InsureandGo’s 2,000‑Person Snapshot
InsureandGo roped in a random sample of 2,000 adults to ask:
- “How have rising summer temperatures reshaped your holiday plans?”
- “Which destinations do you think will be too hot to enjoy in the next five years?”
The findings? A mix of sun‑seeking savvy and heat‑avoidance strategy.
The Straight‑Ahead Group (34%)
Busiest of the group: 34 % of Brits are still aiming for that peak‑summer break abroad, but they’re treating the heat like a recipe—adding extra ice cream and a cooling umbrella.
Cool‑Country Crusaders (25%)
One in four—roughly 25 %—are still planning to escape the heat, but they’re tightening the search to cooler lands. Londoners lead the charge at 29 % and the 35‑44 age band tops the list at 35 %.
“Move It!” Sailors (36%)
About 36 % are shifting the big trip to either spring or autumn, taking advantage of Easter or half‑term schedules. In Scotland, 45 % favor off‑peak timing, and people over 55 are even more flexed at 48 %.
Winter Wanderers (6%)
Nearly 6 % have gone full chill mode, preferring a frosty break instead. The big reason: those who haven’t travelled abroad in years (15 %) are jumping on the winter bandwagon.
Heat Anxiety on the Rise
Heat worries aren’t just about the sun; they’re about the entire travel experience. This summer, a whopping 76 % of adults feel that some popular holiday hotspots will “become too hot” within five years.
- Spain – 40 %
- Greece – 39 %
- Turkey – 36 %
- Cyprus – 30 %
- Italy – 22 %
Even Home Breaks Are at Risk (10%)
Two‑in‑twenty people think that a staycation in the UK might be “too hot” next five years, a concerning sign for the domestic tourism industry.
Seeking a Chill Escape
When the heat got out of hand, many started to pick “cool” destinations instead:
- Iceland – 22 %
- Canada – 21 %
- Sweden – 18 %
- Ireland – 17 %
- Finland – 16 %
CEO’s Take on the Heat Wave
Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at InsureandGo, summed it all up: “People aren’t just chasing the sun anymore; they’re thinking about how to cope with it. For some, that means skipping July and August altogether. For others, it means ditching southern Europe for cooler destinations. Even the unthinkable is on the cards, as some staycation‑ers become overseas holiday-makers to escape the summer heat in the UK.”
InsureandGo’s Practical Advice
InsureandGo is ready to help folks travel without the heat‑stress. They’d recommend:
- Research your destination before you board.
- Check what your travel insurance covers for cancellations and medical issues, especially if you have pre‑existing conditions.
Don’t let the heat jam your holiday plans—seek cooler corners of the globe and keep your insurance smart.
