More than a third of UK holidaymakers are reconsidering their summer travel plans due to wildfires across Europe, with Spain and France feeling the biggest impact, according to new research from InsureandGo.
The survey of 2,000 adults, conducted at the end of July 2026, found that while 65% of respondents said they would not change their plans and only 6% had cancelled their holiday abroad, 35% have been prompted to rethink their travel arrangements.
Changes in plans
Among those making changes, 13% said they would switch to a different European destination, another 13% will switch to a country outside Europe, and 10% have changed or intend to change the date of their trip.
The destinations most affected by these changes were Spain (20%) and France (18%), though the ripple effect has been felt more broadly. UK holidaymakers also altered plans for Turkey (10%), Italy (10%), Portugal (9%), and Greece (8%).
Safety advice
Garry Nelson, Head of Corporate Affairs at InsureandGo, warned that holidaymakers should be more aware of risks associated with extreme weather. He said: “InsureandGo’s tracking data reveals that, every summer since 2024, at least one in five people say they have experienced forest fires or wildfires first-hand when abroad; an indication that people are now seeing extreme heat – and the need to navigate associated risks – as a regular occurrence, a new normal, each summer.”
He added: “This means UK holidaymakers need to put safety higher up the agenda when planning summer holidays. They need to revisit the importance of getting comprehensive travel insurance and be very clear about what the policy they choose does and does not cover.”
Climate impact
The research also found that 73% of UK adults say they have experienced first-hand the noticeable effects of climate change and pollution when abroad. Of these, 21% have experienced forest fires or wildfires, 47% extreme heat, 29% poor air quality, 25% warmer seas, and 16% drought conditions.
Short-haul European holidays have grown in popularity from 44% last year to 51% this summer, with wildfire-affected countries among the most popular destinations. Earlier May research from InsureandGo showed Spain as Britain's favourite European destination for summer 2026, chosen by 40% of those heading to Europe, followed by Italy (22%), France (21%), Greece (18%), Portugal (16%), Mediterranean islands (14%), Turkey (12%), Germany (11%), Netherlands (8%), and Switzerland (7%).
Younger travellers aged 25-34 are most likely to change plans, with 16% switching to a non-European destination, while over-55s are most likely to hold firm, with 31% still travelling to unaffected countries and 24% to affected ones.
