Family holidays and experiences shape travel for the year ahead
The Canaries are among the top performers for the year ahead(Image: Barrhead Travel)
Families across Northern Ireland are already racing to secure their 2026 getaways as demand for value‑packed breaks, long‑haul adventures and memorable experiences continues to soar, according to new insights from one of the country’s largest independent travel agencies.
Barrhead Travel says bookings for both short ‑ and long‑haul holidays are off to a strong start, with Spain and the Canaries; Canada; Turkey; Dubai and Florida among the top performers for the year ahead. Other hot locations for local travellers right now are Portugal, Greece and Bulgaria.
With value and experiences front of mind, the Glasgow‑headquartered travel group says families are snapping up remaining free child places across popular destinations.
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Hotels offering added extras – including on‑site waterparks and broader free child place age limits up to 14–16 years are proving especially popular as NI households seek to balance cost with quality time together.
Cruising continues to be a standout performer heading into Summer 2026, and river cruising is attracting travellers looking for slow‑paced, immersive itineraries through some of the world’s most scenic routes.
Notably, the most popular months for departures are May, June, July, August and January, indicating customers are planning their summer and winter holidays well in advance.
Lisa Hamill, Head of Sales for Northern Ireland Barrhead Travel, said: “Christmas is done and dusted, and undoubtedly people want lovely holiday experiences to look forward to.
“We’re seeing a really interesting mix of bookings, with families, couples and holidaymakers all getting organised for Summer ’26 and beyond. Dubai, Canada and Florida are performing particularly well, and great to see extended child‑age offers are proving hugely popular too.
“Customers are increasingly turning to reputable travel experts for that in-person advice and added value that you just can’t get via a chat-bot. Our stores across the country are prepped with great offers including low deposits and our teams are ready to welcome people in to book their next adventure.”
This January, many of Barrhead Travel’s stores will be open seven days until late into the evening. Find your nearest Barrhead Travel store by visiting https://www.barrheadtravel.co.uk/storelocator.
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