British travelers’ confidence in traveling abroad is rising for the second consecutive year, according to Abta’s annual Travel Confidence Index survey.
The index for 2025 rose to 53 points, marking an increase of six points compared to 2024 and 12 points compared to 2023, when the measurement began. The improvement reflects both a decrease in those who declare low confidence and an increase in the most optimistic travelers.
The picture was particularly positive for those traveling with organized packages or through travel professionals: the former recorded 80 points and the latter 78, the highest percentages since the survey began.
Young people more confident about traveling
The greatest increase was seen among younger ages. 18-24 year olds rose from 48 to 57 points, while 25-34 year olds jumped from 60 to 79. The latter, along with 35-44 year olds (64 points), emerged as the most optimistic travelers, possibly due to fewer financial commitments. Family confidence also rose, from 62 to 71 points.
In contrast, the 45-54 and 55-64 year old age groups showed a slight decline, with Abta attributing this to pressures on family budgets. Travelers over 65 years old remain the least optimistic (33 points), although their performance is improved compared to last year.
What travelers are asking for to feel more confident
The survey shows that the most important element in boosting trust is the security of travel documents (68%), followed by a guarantee of a refund in the event of company bankruptcy (56%), clear information about the total cost (54%) and the existence of travel insurance (53%).
Abta CEO Mark Tanzer said:
“Our mission is to help people travel with confidence. The fact that trust continues to rise shows that the industry is taking the right steps to reassure travelers.”
Gen Z ready for more and more expensive trips
A parallel survey by MMGY shows that Gen Z plans to spend the most on international travel in the next 12 months and take an average of 3.4 vacations in the next two years. Almost half (45%) are interested in organized group tours.
Britons are expected to spend around £5,740 ($7,689) per person next year, significantly higher than other European markets.
Sports tourism in the spotlight
The survey also records strong travel intentions ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: 24% of Europeans and almost half of Gen Z (49%) plan to travel to the US, Mexico or Canada as a primary reason for the tournament. Britons are expected to spend the most – an average of $8,275 per trip – confirming sports tourism as a strong driver of growth for host countries.
