Irish families plan to spend less on summer holidays this year, new research finds

If you’ve been quietly reconsidering that family holiday to somewhere far-flung this summer, you are very much not alone. New research from iReach Insights shows that Irish adults are planning to spend 10% less on summer holidays this year compared to last, with average planned spend dropping from €1,800 to €1,600. Across the country as a whole, that adds up to a decline of approximately €334 million, bringing total expected summer holiday spending for 2026 down to around €3.4 billion.

It’s a significant shift, and honestly it makes complete sense. Between the cost of filling a trolley, keeping the house warm and just about keeping on top of everything else, the idea of splashing out on flights and hotel rooms the way we might have done a couple of years ago feels increasingly distant for a lot of families.

It’s not just the cost of living

While rising living costs remain the single biggest factor driving holiday decisions this year, cited by half of all adults surveyed (50%), the picture is a bit more complicated than that. More than half of Irish adults (53%) say concerns about global conflicts or international instability have changed where they’re willing to travel this summer. A further 30% said global conflicts are among the biggest factors influencing their holiday choices, while 21% cited worries about airport disruption. It’s a lot to factor in when you’re just trying to plan a decent break for the kids.

Rising fuel costs are weighing on decisions too, flagged by 36% of respondents, and accommodation prices are a concern for 32%. Add household or personal financial pressures, mentioned by 29%, and it’s clear that this summer’s travel decisions are being made against a fairly heavy backdrop.

The staycation is having a moment

Perhaps the most striking finding is just how many people are turning their attention closer to home. Almost 3 in 10 adults (29%) say they’re more likely to holiday in Ireland this summer instead of travelling abroad, with 13% saying they’re much more likely to choose a domestic break. For anyone who’s spent a summer weekend in Kenmare or done the Wild Atlantic Way with the kids piled into the back of the car, you’ll know there are far worse options.

The trend is especially pronounced among younger adults aged 18 to 24, with nearly half (48%) saying they’re more likely to holiday in Ireland this summer, and 23% putting themselves firmly in the “much more likely” camp. It’s an interesting shift for a generation that has generally been keener than most on international travel.

Oisín Byrne, CEO and co-founder at iReach Insights, summed it up well. “Irish holidaymakers are clearly rethinking their summer plans this year. People still want to get away, but they’re balancing that against rising everyday costs and growing uncertainty around international travel. What’s particularly interesting is the rise in staycations, especially among younger adults, suggesting that many people are now looking for holidays that feel both affordable and stress-free closer to home.”

Abroad isn’t off the table entirely

It’s worth saying that overseas travel hasn’t disappeared. Half of Irish adults (50%) are still planning to go abroad this summer, and of those, 35% have already booked. So the suitcase industry isn’t in crisis just yet.

But the overall mood feels more measured than it has in recent years. There’s a growing sense that a brilliant summer doesn’t have to mean a long-haul flight or a budget-busting all-inclusive resort. Sometimes it means a rented cottage in Clare and a long walk on a beach that turns out to be absolutely freezing, and everyone loves it anyway.

The iReach survey was conducted on a nationally representative basis between the 19th and 26th of May 2026, with over 1,000 respondents.