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One in three Britons now put off travelling to the US under Trump, as politics overtakes weather and money worries | Company News

Holidaymaker looking out at an airport departure board — travel plans affected by politics and global events

Company news · 3 min read · January 27, 2026

One in three Britons now put off travelling to the US under Trump, as politics overtakes weather and money worries

New data reveals political unrest, global conflict and growing resistance to the Trump administration are reshaping British holidaymakers’ travel plans for 2026, with the US emerging as one of the biggest casualties.

Short on time? Let us summarise this press release for you.

A third of UK holidaymakers (33%) now say the Trump administration in the US is causing them to change or reconsider their travel plans. That compares with just 21% last summer and 15% a year ago, making it one of the fastest-growing travel deterrents recorded in the study.

The findings come from the latest bi-annual Holiday Extras Travel Concerns Survey, which tracks the issues UK consumers say are causing them to change or reconsider where they travel in the year ahead. The January 2026 report shows a clear shift away from economic and climate-related anxieties towards political instability and social unrest.

The increase coincides with widely reported fatal shootings of protesters by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in January 2026, regular reports of European travellers being lengthily detained at the border and the move by US authorities to scrutinise visitors’ social media accounts as a condition of entry. Together, these developments are having a tangible impact on how safe, welcome and appealing the US feels to British tourists in 2026.

Concerns around conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine also remain high, with a third (33%) of travellers saying it is influencing their holiday decisions. Meanwhile, anti-tourist protests and sentiment in popular European destinations now worry 39% of holidaymakers, reflecting continued demonstrations and local backlash in parts of southern Europe.

While the cost of living crisis (48%) and extreme weather events (44%) remain major considerations, their influence has stabilised compared with previous years. Instead, Holiday Extras notes that political leadership, civil unrest and international relations are now playing a much bigger role in shaping where Britons feel comfortable travelling.

Top factors causing UK travellers to change or reconsider their holiday plans – January 2026

Cost of living crisis: 48%

Extreme weather events: 44%

Anti-tourist protests or sentiment: 39%

Strikes at airports or on public transport: 39%

Election of Donald Trump as US president: 33%

Conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine: 33%

Risk of unemployment: 23%

Seamus McCauley, Head of Public Affairs at Holiday Extras, said:

“Over the past year we’ve seen a fundamental change in what worries British holidaymakers. It’s no longer just about heatwaves, prices or airport strikes. Increasingly, people are asking whether a destination feels politically stable, socially welcoming and free from disruption.

“The jump from one in five to one in three people being put off travelling to the US is especially striking. That kind of movement in such a short space of time suggests this isn’t just noise or headline fatigue, but a genuine shift in sentiment.

“In 2026 we expect more travellers to actively seek out destinations that feel calm, predictable and removed from political flashpoints. Increasingly, peace of mind is just as important as sunshine or value for money.”

About Holiday Extras

About Holiday Extras
Holiday Extras is Europe's leading provider of travel extras – from airport parking, hotels and lounges to insurance, transfers and car hire. With over 11 million customers each year, Holiday Extras makes travelling smarter and simpler so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your journey. Visit holidayextras.com to learn more.