60% of Irish Holidaymakers yet to book their 2026 holiday

New Click&Go Holidays survey shows strong travel intent with 80% still considering a holiday despite price and geopolitical concerns.

The latest Travel Sentiment Survey from Click&Go Holidays reveals Irish holidaymakers remain eager to travel but are taking a more cautious approach to booking, with rising costs and geopolitical uncertainty shaping decisions.

The survey found that 60% of respondents have not yet booked their 2026 holiday, slightly up on standard seasonal booking patterns, despite a softer booking environment since early March. Of those yet to book, 78% say increased costs are a major influence on their decision-making, while 48% cite geopolitical conflicts and global instability, particularly in the Middle East, as a significant concern.

Despite these pressures, appetite for travel remains strong. 80% of those who have not yet booked have considered taking a holiday this year, underlining that many consumers are delaying decisions rather than abandoning travel plans altogether.

Summer remains the standout travel period, with 50% planning to travel between July and September, while 14% intend to holiday in June, 13% in May, and 21% in the final quarter of the year, suggesting many consumers are looking to the shoulder season and late-year travel for value.

Sun holidays continue to dominate as Irish consumers’ preferred holiday type, accounting for 47% of planned trips, followed by city breaks (23%), cruises (11%), and staycations in Ireland (11%).

The research also highlights the financial pressures shaping travel choices. 37% of respondents say the increased cost of living in Ireland is highly influencing holiday decisions, while 41% point to higher travel costs, including flights, accommodation and fuel. Interestingly, while sun holiday prices are up 4% year-on-year, this is driven by a 10% rise in accommodation costs, partially offset by a 5% decrease in airfares.

Families are also proving increasingly flexible in seeking value, with 64% of parents travelling with children saying they would consider taking children out of school to save money on holiday prices.

Paul Hackett, CEO of Click&Go Holidays, said, “What we’re seeing is not a drop in desire to travel, but a shift in consumer behaviour. Irish holidaymakers are being more deliberate, weighing up costs and global events before committing, but the intention to travel remains very strong. Many are delaying booking in the hope of securing better value, while others are adjusting when they travel to make their budget go further. Encouragingly, demand for summer sun holidays remains resilient, and lower airfares are helping to offset some accommodation price increases. We expect many of those currently undecided will still book in the months ahead as confidence returns.”

Hackett added that value and flexibility will continue to be central themes for the market in 2026, with consumers prioritising affordability while still making overseas holidays a priority.

• Click&Go Holidays Travel Sentiment Survey conducted Q1 2026
• Sample size: 1,376 respondents
• Survey reflects Irish consumer holiday booking intentions and sentiment for 2026