Nearly half of UK holidaymakers (49%) say travelling abroad feels more stressful than it did a year ago, and almost as many say delays are putting them off, according to research from travel insurer Staysure.
The company’s latest Travel Confidence Bulletin, based on a survey of 2,000 UK adults between 29 May and 1 June, found that 44% say longer airport or border delays would make them reconsider overseas travel plans. It also showed that 46% are concerned the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) could result in longer queues and delays when travelling to Europe.
Cost pressures are also influencing booking decisions. More than one in five respondents (21%) said they are more likely to choose a cheaper holiday or destination because of travel costs, while 16% said they feel less confident about booking a holiday in advance.
Meanwhile, 17% said they are more worried about the financial impact of holiday cancellations, delays or disruption, and 15% said they would struggle to absorb significant unexpected costs while travelling.
Staysure said customer enquiries during May highlighted growing concern about geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, with travellers seeking advice on destination cover, Foreign Office travel advice, Dubai transits and potential flight disruption.
The insurer said it is also seeing the first signs of customer concern around the EES, with more travellers asking whether they would be covered if border delays caused them to miss flights.
Uptake of Staysure’s Travel Disruption Extension has increased year on year, accounting for 10% of sales during March and April 2026 compared with 7% during the same period in 2025. In May, uptake stood at 9%, compared with 6% a year earlier.
However, Staysure’s sales data suggests demand for travel remains resilient, with Europe accounting for between 72% and 75% of annual multi-trip policy sales between March and May this year.
Staysure Chief Growth Officer Simon McCulloch said: “Holidays should be something people look forward to, and while recent events have given some travellers more to think about this year, there is no reason to put plans on hold unnecessarily. The key is to travel prepared and informed.
“Before travelling, people should check the latest FCDO travel advice for their destination and any stopovers, understand the entry requirements, and keep an eye on updates from their airline or holiday provider. It’s also important to make sure their travel insurance reflects their trip, their health and the risks they are most concerned about.
“Travel insurance provides valuable financial protection in certain situations, but it is not the solution to every travel issue. If a flight is cancelled or a package holiday changes, the airline or holiday provider should be the first point of contact.
“If someone is forced to cancel their trip or becomes ill or injured abroad and requires emergency medical treatment or repatriation, that is when their insurer can step in and help.
“The most confident travellers this summer won’t necessarily be those with the simplest journeys. They’ll be the ones who are prepared – knowing what to check before they travel, who to contact if disruption occurs, and what support, including travel insurance, is in place if plans change.
“With the right preparation, people can focus on enjoying their holiday rather than worrying about what might go wrong.”
