Brits ditch the autumn chill as October half-term holiday bookings soar

October half-term holiday bookings have increased by 8% compared with last year across the Advantage Travel Partnership network, with British families continuing to seek sunshine outside the traditional summer holiday season.

New figures released on 21 October reveal strong demand for Mediterranean destinations alongside growing interest in long-haul holidays to the United States, Japan and other international destinations.

The research also highlights contrasting booking habits, with some families planning their trips months in advance while others wait until shortly before departure.

Where are British families travelling?

Spain remains the leading short-haul destination, with Tenerife, Alicante and Majorca among the most popular choices.

Turkey and Greece are also attracting significant demand, particularly Antalya, Dalaman, Crete and Rhodes. Cyprus and Italy complete the leading short-haul destinations identified in the figures.

For families seeking longer journeys, the United States is the most popular destination through Advantage's network, followed by Japan, Singapore, the Maldives and the United Arab Emirates.

New York and Orlando are particularly popular American choices, while Tokyo leads bookings to Japan.

Last-minute bookings remain popular

The figures reveal that 15% of October half-term bookings were made within 30 days of departure, while 35% were secured within 60 days.

However, around one-third of travellers booked more than six months in advance, suggesting families are using very different approaches when planning their autumn holidays.

All-inclusive packages account for 33% of bookings, while half-board holidays represent another 24%. The popularity of these options suggests that many customers value having some of their holiday costs arranged before departure.

Seven-night breaks remain a leading choice, although shorter holidays also appeal to families looking to make the most of the school break.

Why October is attracting more holidaymakers

October can offer more comfortable sightseeing conditions than the height of summer, particularly in Mediterranean destinations where temperatures are often lower than during July and August.

For families, this can make exploring historic towns, visiting attractions and spending time outdoors more enjoyable. However, the half-term school holiday remains a busy travel period, and popular flights and hotels can still command high prices.

The figures represent bookings through Advantage Travel Partnership's member agencies rather than the entire UK holiday market, so they should not be interpreted as a nationwide measure of all travel bookings.

Nevertheless, the increase provides evidence that October half-term is an increasingly important period for travel businesses, with British families continuing to look beyond the traditional summer getaway.