Wealthy British holidaymakers are increasingly swapping the traditional festive season at home for restorative sunshine breaks abroad, with wellness now a top priority for winter escapes, according to new industry data.
Sun-Seeking Brits Swap Summer for Winter Holidays
Fresh survey data compiled by the luxury hotel group Four Seasons reveals a significant shift in British travel habits. More than one in three (34 per cent) Britons now plan to travel abroad during the winter months in search of warmer weather. Notably, almost half (47 per cent) of these winter sun travellers have exchanged their usual summer holiday for an escape in the colder part of the year.
The demand is particularly strong for premium destinations. Four Seasons reported that its resort in Sharm El Sheikh is already fully booked for Christmas Day. Furthermore, the company has seen year-on-year booking increases exceeding 20 per cent at its properties in Abu Dhabi, Mauritius, and Marrakech.
Wellness Takes Centre Stage for Festive Getaways
Avoiding the potential stress of a traditional Christmas has become a key motivator for these trips. The survey found that 35 per cent of UK respondents cite avoiding festive stress as a primary reason for their winter getaway, a figure that rises sharply to 53 per cent among millennials. Half of all respondents stated that their mood suffers if they do not manage to get away during the darker months.
This focus on wellbeing is transforming how the festive period is spent abroad. Across its global portfolio, Four Seasons noted a major surge in wellness bookings over Christmas. The day itself is increasingly defined by early-morning personal training sessions, guided yoga, spa treatments, and other restorative experiences.
UK travellers, couples, and multi-generational families are incorporating wellness into their winter itineraries more than ever, often reserving their preferred treatments weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.
Airlines and Airports Gear Up for Record Winter Demand
The trend is fuelling a significant jump in winter bookings across the travel sector, as Brits look to leave chilly northern Europe behind. Heathrow Airport is preparing for its busiest December on record, anticipating up to 250,000 travellers daily. The airport welcomed over 6.6 million passengers in November, its busiest November ever, with six routes including Lisbon and Singapore each surpassing the one million passenger mark.
To ensure smooth operations, Heathrow has set aside one million litres of de-icing products for its runways, taxiways, and stands. Chief executive Thomas Woldbye stated the airport is "fully prepared to deliver an exceptional Christmas experience."
Meanwhile, British airline Jet2 plans to expand its capacity, including establishing a new base at London Gatwick airport operational from March next year. The carrier's seat capacity for the forthcoming winter is 7.7 per cent higher than the previous year, representing an additional 5.5 million seats.
Jet2's chief executive, Steve Heapy, commented: "Customers may be booking later, but it is clear they still want their well-earned holidays in the sun." He added that the firm believes the annual overseas holiday "remains a cherished priority for many, often taking precedence over other discretionary spending even in uncertain economic times."
