Where are we going on vacation this summer? To take a photograph of the travel intentions for summer 2026 is the 25th edition ofHoliday barometer of the Europ Assistance Group in collaboration with Ipsos, the research that every year investigates travel trends, habits and behavior in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia.
A fact emerges with force: the desire to travel is high, but the attention to security It mainly influences the choices of those who want to pack their bags and leave. In fact, it emerged that 8 out of 10 respondents, in 26 countries involved in the survey, they are excited to travel this year, despite being concerned about the volatile global geopolitical environment and higher living costs. In fact, many plan to increase their holiday budget compared to last year.
Here’s what I know more (and less) popular destinations for summer 2026 both among Italians and other European travelers.
How many Italians will travel and how much they will spend
Italians love to travel and do not give up, despite the economic and geopolitical difficulties: 90%, in fact, go at least once a year. In particular, 83% plan at least one summer vacationa constant growth trend over the last 10 years (just think that they were 53% in 2016, therefore marked a +30%). Those who plan to do so more than a trip in 2026 they are 41% of Italians. While this may seem small to many of us, it is actually the highest value Europe.
81% of us are excited to travel (+8% compared to 2022), although this enthusiasm is undermined by many reasons, especially inflation (80%, +3% vs. 2025) and international geopolitical tensions (74%, +11% vs. 2025). Despite the increase in the cost of living, 46% will increase budget dedicated to the holidays, which is attested about 1,896 eurosa figure that still remains below the European average of 2,089 euros.
But others factors of concernwhich therefore become criteria based on which one chooses the destination, they are also afraid of being robbed (61%), of getting sick during the trip (61%), of having bad weather (62%) or of having to cancel the trip (55%).
Those who they will give up traveling in summer 2026 they will be the 17% of Italians: of these, 66% (+14% vs 2025) will not leave for economic reasons and 6% (+4%) because they fear for the safety of the destination.
Where Italians are traveling this summer
The 2026 Holiday Barometer also reveals which destinations Italians should focus on the most, especially in such a complex year from the point of view of security and geopolitical instability. Here top destination for the next summer holidays it will be the Bel Paese, chosen by 70% of those interviewed.
53% will travel beyond national borders (-9% compared to 2025) and the preferred destinations will be: Spain (15%), France (8%) e Greece (7%).
Italy will be in the top 3 of the destinations chosen also by citizens of all other European countries and also by those traveling from North America to Europe.
The destinations that tourists will not visit in 2026
Another interesting fact emerges from the report, which concerns the destinations which travelers may decide to avoid (or at give up) because of the political and social climate. Here is the list of destinations and how many countries involved in the survey do not consider them as next travel destinations for summer 2026:
- Afghanistan (25 out of 26 countries);
- Iran (24 out of 26 countries);
- Israel (23 out of 26 countries);
- United States (21 out of 26 countries);
- United Arab Emirates (14 out of 26 countries);
- Russia (12 out of 26 countries).