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Person with red sneakers and orange suitcase standing on a green welcome mat that reads “Budget travellers welcome” — affordable travel concept.
Travel news · 5 min read · January 5th, 2026

Who actually wants budget travellers? Holiday Extras reveals the destinations rolling out the welcome mat

In a year when overtourism crackdowns grabbed the headlines, new Holiday Extras research reveals the countries that are actively courting value-conscious British holidaymakers for 2026.

Short on time? Let us summarise this article for you.

While Amsterdam, Venice and parts of Spain have made headlines for pushing back against cheap party breaks, Holiday Extras’ new research shows the story for 2026 is very different. Across Eastern Europe, North Africa and Asia, countries like Tunisia, Bulgaria, Albania, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are investing in affordable holidays, easing visa rules and expanding routes to attract budget-conscious visitors. A survey of 2,000 UK holidaymakers finds that more than half say budget-friendly destinations are important when they choose where to go, yet very few report feeling unwelcome, even in places associated with overtourism crackdowns. The takeaway: budget travellers have more choice than ever in 2026, with a growing list of destinations that openly want them.

5th January 2026: In a year when headlines focused on crackdowns and curbs on cheap breaks, Holiday Extras has identified a very different trend for 2026. While some destinations spent 2025 telling low-spend tourists to stay away, a growing wave of countries is actively inviting them in.

Across Europe, North Africa and Asia, governments and tourism boards are investing in affordability, easing entry rules and running campaigns designed to attract holidaymakers who want great value. Holiday Extras has compiled one of the most comprehensive lists yet of destinations that genuinely want budget travellers, backed up by new routes, subsidies, incentives and pro-tourism policy.

A significant 56% of UK holidaymakers surveyed say budget-friendly destinations are an important factor when choosing where to travel. With living costs still front of mind for many, the destinations that make it easier and cheaper to visit are likely to see the biggest bounce in 2026.

The destinations actively encouraging budget travellers

Holiday Extras’ research highlights a group of destinations that are not simply tolerant of budget travellers, they are competing for them. From short-haul to ultra-long-haul, these locations are investing in infrastructure, flight capacity and visitor incentives specifically aimed at value-driven tourists.

The standouts:

  • Tunisia – expanding year-round affordable packages and improving air links for British holidaymakers looking for winter sun and value.
  • Bulgaria – continuing to market Sunny Beach and Varna as some of Europe’s best-value coastal resorts.
  • Istria, Croatia – positioning itself as a relaxed, welcoming alternative to higher priced Mediterranean hotspots.
  • Egypt – rolling out a 2030 tourism strategy centred on increasing visitor numbers with affordable, mass-market holidays.
  • Albania – investing heavily in infrastructure, low-cost flights and marketing to grow budget and mid-market tourism along its Adriatic and Ionian coasts.
  • Sri Lanka – introducing free 30-day visas to boost arrivals and signal a warm welcome for international visitors.
  • Cambodia, Georgia, Nepal and Vietnam – expanding visa access, flight routes and development programmes explicitly designed to attract more visitors.

Holiday Extras’ research identifies a list of 20 great holiday destinations, from short to ultra-long haul, that explicitly want more visitors in 2026 and are making policy decisions to prove it.

Elizabeth Hogg, Holiday Extras COO

“There are dozens of places that genuinely want more British visitors”

Elizabeth Hogg, COO of Holiday Extras

“After a year dominated by stories of overtourism crackdowns, the reality is far more encouraging for holidaymakers watching their budgets,” said Elizabeth Hogg, Chief Operating Officer at Holiday Extras.

“All over the world, destinations are investing to attract more value-conscious travellers. From Bulgaria’s bargain coastline to Sri Lanka’s free visas, there are dozens of places that genuinely want more British visitors.”

Meanwhile, the anti-budget backlash barely touched British travellers

Despite high-profile campaigns in some destinations to discourage cheap party trips or rapid turnaround visits, the impact on British tourists has been limited.

Holiday Extras’ survey of 2,000 UK holidaymakers found that, even in destinations most vocal about discouraging budget breaks, only small single-digit percentages of travellers reported feeling unwelcome.

Crackdowns made headlines but not holidays

Weighted by the number of annual UK visitors, the research found that destinations often associated with anti-budget messaging remain broadly welcoming in practice:

  • Amsterdam: 11% of British travellers reported feeling less welcome.
  • Ibiza: 8.7%.
  • Majorca: 3.2%.
  • Tenerife: 3.6%.

These figures remain low for places that have introduced tougher rules, behaviour campaigns or visitor caps. The data suggests that while local authorities may be targeting specific types of tourism, the overall tone on the ground has not translated into widespread negativity toward British holidaymakers.

Although the public debate about overtourism has been loud, the majority of UK travellers say they have not noticed any significant change in the welcome they receive, even in cities and islands that have pushed hardest to limit certain forms of low-spend tourism.

The takeaway for 2026

Holiday Extras’ analysis points to a clear conclusion. Budget travellers are not being pushed out of holidays, in fact they have more choice than ever.

While a small number of Western European destinations are tightening rules or running deterrent campaigns, far more countries are actively lowering barriers, boosting capacity and positioning themselves as affordable places to explore.

For travellers seeking value and a warm welcome, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the best years yet. From the shores of North Africa to the beaches of Southeast Asia, there is a growing list of places that not only accept budget travellers but openly want them.

For inspiration and the best value destinations, visit holidayextras.com.

Notes to editors

  • Survey of 2,000 UK adults with overseas travel plans, nationally representative by age, gender and region.
  • 56% of respondents said that budget-friendly destinations are an important factor in choosing where to travel.
  • Only low single-digit percentages of respondents reported feeling unwelcome in destinations associated with overtourism crackdowns, including Amsterdam, Ibiza, Majorca and Tenerife.
  • Holiday Extras helps over 8 million UK travellers each year with airport parking, hotels, lounges, insurance and more at holidayextras.com.

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