Nationwide Building Society has issued a nationwide alert over summer holiday problems for travellers, as new research reveals the rise of the 'delaycation' trend. The study shows that holiday plans for millions of Brits are being thrown into chaos, with rising global tensions prompting families to reconsider their summer getaways.
Global Events Impact Holiday Plans
Nearly one in four people say world events have already impacted their holiday arrangements, with many postponing bookings, scrapping trips entirely or choosing more affordable breaks closer to home. The findings emerge amid heightened concerns over instability in the Middle East, including tensions involving Iran and worries over energy supplies and fuel costs, which have introduced fresh uncertainty for holidaymakers already dealing with stretched household budgets.
Research from Nationwide revealed that 23% of people say global events have altered their summer travel plans this year. Among those affected, more than a quarter (28%) have postponed making holiday decisions, while 23% have chosen a UK break instead of travelling abroad.
Changing Travel Behaviours
Others are seeking to reduce costs, with 17% booking cheaper holidays and 16% opting for shorter trips. Around 15% have cancelled holidays entirely, while the same proportion have switched to day trips instead. The building society said the trend has given rise to the 'delaycation' - where travellers defer committing to holiday plans until they feel more confident about global developments.
Its figures suggest the caution is already feeding through into spending patterns. Nationwide's card data shows average holiday spending fell by 1.2% year-on-year during the first four months of 2026. Customers spent an average of £492 on holidays between January and April this year, compared with £498 during the same period in 2025.
Key Factors Driving Caution
The survey of 2,000 adults revealed that anxieties surrounding Iran and rising fuel costs are amongst the key factors playing on consumers' minds. Of those whose holiday plans have been affected, 18% pointed to concerns about Iran and the potential knock-on effect on fuel prices as a reason for staying closer to home this year.
More broadly, four in ten people (41%) said they feel cautious about booking holidays at present, while around a third are deliberately holding off or keeping their plans flexible. The results emerge at a time when holidaymakers are contending with a particularly uncertain climate.
Potential Economic Impact
Any escalation of tensions in the Middle East risks driving up oil prices, pushing airline fuel costs higher and potentially filtering through into steeper fares and holiday prices. Meanwhile, travellers remain wary of potential disruption to international transport routes and wider geopolitical instability.
Nevertheless, recent diplomatic signals from both the US and Iran have fuelled hopes that a broader conflict may still be averted, alleviating some anxiety over global energy supplies and the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, through which a considerable proportion of the world's oil passes.
Expert Comment
Mark Nalder, payments director at Nationwide, said: 'Our latest research shows that uncertainty this year is having a clear impact on people's holiday plans. It could also be we are seeing the rise of the 'delaycation' as many choose to delay booking holidays, while a growing number are cancelling plans or opting for UK staycations to keep a tighter grip on their finances and budgets.'
'Quick transfer features and budgeting tools like those on our app can be a big help when balancing spending and manage money when plans change.'
