Irish Travellers Flock to South Africa, Mexico Riviera and UAE for Winter Sun as Long-Haul Bookings Surge – Travel Counsellors Ireland report

South Africa, Mexico’s Riviera Maya, and the UAE have emerged as the most in-demand long-haul destinations for Irish holidaymakers seeking winter sun in 2025/26, according to new booking data from Travel Counsellors Ireland, the premium leisure and corporate travel specialists.

The figures point to a clear shift in consumer behaviour, with more people travelling from Ireland trading short-haul European breaks for bucket-list adventures that promise guaranteed sunshine and exceptional experiences.

South Africa is the standout performer, with bookings up 28% year-on-year, driven by the safari-and-beach combination that’s proving especially popular with families and groups. Mexico’s Riviera Maya, known for its all-inclusive resorts and reliable weather, has also seen a sharp rise in demand, while the UAE continues to climb as a favourite for winter sun escapes. Rounding out the top five are Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand, with bookings up by 12%, 16%, and 48% respectively.

Cathy Burke, Managing Director of Travel Counsellors Ireland, said: “We’re seeing a real shift in how Irish travellers approach their winter breaks. The appetite for adventure, sunshine and something truly memorable has never been stronger. People are looking beyond the usual short-haul options — they want experiences that matter, and that’s driving demand for destinations like South Africa, Mexico and the UAE.

“Much of this is being fuelled by milestone celebrations, multi-generational family travel, and groups of friends planning something special. These are big, meaningful trips — and travellers want to make the most of them.”

Cathy added: “A long-haul winter trip is no longer seen as extravagant. In many cases, it offers better value than a European break in high season. Our customers are investing in quality time with the people they care about, and they want their trip to feel special.”

Although the USA didn’t make the winter top 10, it continues to perform strongly for summer travel from Ireland, with destinations such as California, New York, Nashville and Florida all trending upward — bookings to the US are up 19% year-on-year.

This summer, the most popular long-haul destinations for Irish travellers are Bali, Sydney and Queensland. Australia in particular has seen a sharp rise in bookings, up 16% in the past year alone.

The most in-demand departure months for both business and leisure travellers out of Ireland, in order of popularity, are July, June, May, September, December and August.

Travel Counsellors Ireland is part of a global network of 2,000 travel professionals, with over 85 based in Ireland. Celebrating 20 years in business in Ireland this year, the company has built its reputation on delivering highly personalised service, unrivalled travel expertise and cutting-edge technology — empowering clients with seamless, tailor-made experiences across both leisure and corporate travel.

For more on Travel Counsellors Ireland see travelcounsellors.ie.