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12% Rise in Christmas Travel: Advantage Travel Partnership Breaks Down 2025 with a Look to 2026


January 2026


Much Loved Crowne Plaza Stalwart Passes Away


ADVANTAGE


Travel


Partnership


has


reported an exceptional 12 percent rise in bookings compared to 2024 for travel over Christmas. The data shows trading from those who booked from January to October 2025 for trips to take place from December 2025 to January 2026. Festive trips to Lapland in particular are proving extremely popular with bookings up 30 percent on last year whilst city breaks to destinations with popular Christmas markets such as Prague, Krakow and Berlin have taken 13 percent of overall bookings. Additional holidays that have become more popular in 2025 include cruise, which has risen in bookings by 5 percent, as well as ski holidays, which has risen by 6 percent. As always, the search for winter sun remains strong with bookings up 10 percent.


Advantage has also reported that long haul travel generally remains in line with 2024, however, the usually popular Dubai and the Caribbean have seen a decline in bookings compared to last year.


Nonetheless, due


to the rising trend in consumers favouring more value focused trips, the Far East has continued to remain popular with a 13 percent rise in bookings. For short haul travel, the Canary Islands remains the most popular winter destination for British travellers with bookings rising by 16 percent in 2025. Throughout 2025, multigenerational travel


has continued to grow. All-inclusive holidays are evolving their offerings to help cater for this, previously associated with budget- conscious holidays, many now provide more luxury elements, larger rooms and even villas as well as high-end wellness facilities. Looking ahead to 2026, Advantage Travel Partnership is tracking ahead of last year by 24 percent in bookings so far. As expected, summer holidays are leading the way, with summer bookings up 27 percent and taking a 49 percent share of 2026 travel. While some people are still booking last-minute deals, the dominant trend for 2026 appears to be shifting towards ultra-early bookings for increased value for money. Advantage is already seeing bookings for 2026/2027


winter holidays up by 24 percent and currently taking 6 percent of overall bookings. Bookings to the United States for 2026 are up 20 percent largely driven by major events such as the FIFA World Cup which will feature both England and Scotland as well as an increase in immersive experience destinations such as the deep south states. For 2026, cruise is exceptionally well placed to outperform in the off-peak and shoulder seasons. Despite cruise representing only around 3 percent of global leisure travel by passenger numbers, demand is accelerating. With new ships and sustained marketing investment, cruise is undoubtedly one of the standout growth segments for the next 12 months. Tours and touring bookings are also likely to be popular in 2026 with bookings up by 25 percent. Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, CEO of Advantage


Travel Partnership said: “Across our membership of independenttravel agencies we have seen a strong performance throughout 2025 and it’s great that we’re ending the year on a high. The strength of trading throughout 2025 reflects the resilience of both our travel agent partners and the broader travel sector. For 2026, world events, competitive pressure from other source markets, and shifting consumer confidence will all shape travel bookings. What will matter most is value, and ensuring agents deploy strong value-led messaging that drives enquiries while helping customers understand what a genuinely good deal looks like. Consumers are continuing to focus on getting the best deal from their spend, it’s not just about booking the cheapest bargain available, but they want to see the most value from what their budget can afford. In the year ahead our travel agency partners will be working hard to elevate the booking experience and showcase this value.”


Belfast Metropolitan College Hosts Christmas Corporate Lunch


NI Travel News were


delighted to be invited to a Christmas Corporate Lunch at Belfast Metropolitan College on December 9th 2026. The lunch took place in the Linen Lounge which is student ran with hospitality students serving,


and preparing the meal. All


guests were


cooking from


businesses that support student placement and the college. Greeted with Christmas cheer from the Events Team all guests enjoyed a drinks reception,


and a three course meal. After the meal guests heard from past students, Abbie Stothers (NI Travel News) and Saffron Montgomery (North West 200) about their experience through courses at Belfast Metropolitan College and into the work place. A fantastic charity raffle was drawn in support of The Salvation Army.


A massive well done to the Events Management students who planned and hosted the event and good luck on the rest of your course!


NI Travel News was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Robert (Bert) McGuinness.


Known to all as Bert, many across the travel industry who attended our events within the Crowne Plaza will have met him. Funny, bubbly and most notably kind, Bert was always there at the drop of a hat for both the NI Travel News team, and our industry in attendance. Nothing was ever too much. His enthusiasm and drive stood out from the day the team met him, and from then, work relationships quickly changed to friendships, as it is with many of the Crowne Plaza Staff. The bonds that have been formed over the years remain firmly at the front of our minds learning


this sad news.


Speaking on his passing, Jonathan Adair said:


“Bert was at the heart of the success


of the Big Event every year. His input and diligence to every part of the seamless operation and delivery of all the elements over the two days was truly incredible. I know the team at NI Travel News would have been lost without him. I am personally devastated by the news and will miss his professionalism and friendship very much. ”


Our thoughts and prayers are with Bert’s family, friends and wider circle, especially Louise, Lisa, Anneka and the rest of the team at the Crowne Plaza.


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