The company has shared its Unpack ’26 Summer: The Trends in Travel report, revealing how holiday habits are shaping decisions for the season ahead.
While it can be tempting to book a trip abroad, Expedia’s research has revealed that demand for domestic travel is dominating summer holiday planning.
So much so that demand has increased by 77% year-on-year globally, and 45% of Brits are more interested in UK breaks than they were last summer.
Glasgow among top summer destinations for UK travellers
More travellers are gravitating towards nearby escapes, from beach towns to walking trails just a short drive or quick flight away, as opposed to far-flung locations.
Expedia said searches for coastal towns like Scarborough and Tenby are up 40% this summer, and interest in rural destinations or hotspots with easy access to national parks has spiked too.
Glasgow has seen a search increase of 30%, with key highlights for a trip to the city including live music, nightlife, and museums.
How to spend a day in Glasgow
If you like food, culture, and music, Glasgow could be the ideal spot for you to visit this summer, according to the Visit Glasgow website.
Spend some time outside exploring with the city centre’s mural trail or its 90+ parks and green spaces.
Bad weather doesn’t have to stop you as you can visit the many museums, including The Burrell Collection, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Riverside Museum and The Tall Ship, and more.
Music lovers can get drinks and refreshments in Glasgow bars with free live music at The Ben Nevis Bar, The Scotia, and The Butterfly and the Pig, among others.
For foodies, there are food markets, Michelin-star eateries, and an array of restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.
You can also learn more about food on food tours across the city.
Glasgow as a filming location
Visitors might also choose Glasgow due to its appearance in films and TV shows.
Expedia’s set-jetting forecast highlights a fresh slate of screen-inspired destinations poised to transform on-screen scenes into travel plans.
Fans of Mint (shot in Glasgow and Grangemouth) and Half Man might be inspired to visit the city.
The likes of Still Game, The Batman, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and World War Z have also been filmed in Glasgow.
Paisley is also included in the list of the top UK destinations of the summer with a 30% increase in search demand.
Highlights include Paisley Abbey and the town’s cultural/textile heritage.
2026 UK destinations of the summer
If you’re looking for a staycation that’s a bit further away from home, here are the UK’s destinations of the summer for 2026:
Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire
- Search increase: 90%
- Key highlights: Historic market town, access to rural walking routes
Sudbury, Suffolk
- Search increase: 60%
- Key highlights: Scenic countryside, arts and antiques, gateway to Constable Country
Reading, Berkshire
- Search increase: 60%
- Key highlights: Riverside walks, dining, and easy London access
Nottinghamshire
- Search increase: 40%
- Key highlights: Castles, stately homes, and Sherwood Forest
Scarborough, North Yorkshire
- Search increase: 40%
- Key highlights: Classic British seaside resort
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
- Search increase: 40%
- Key highlights: Elegant spa town and Yorkshire Dales gateway
Tenby, Pembrokeshire
- Search increase: 35%
- Key highlights: Tenby Harbour, Caldey Island (accessible by boat), and Pembrokeshire Coast Path
5 perfect spots for a summer staycation
Glasgow
- Search increase: 30%
- Key highlights: Live music, nightlife, and museums
Paisley, Renfrewshire
- Search increase: 30%
- Key highlights: Paisley Abbey and cultural/textile heritage
Canterbury, Kent
- Search increase: 30%
- Key highlights: UNESCO-listed cathedral city with historic charm
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“This summer, travel isn’t slowing down – it’s being reshaped,” Melanie Fish, travel expert and spokesperson at Expedia Group, said.
She added: “As major global events and rising costs influence decisions, travellers are either staying closer to home or seeking out destinations where they can get more for their money.”
What’s your favourite thing about Glasgow? Tell us your top recommendations in the comments below.
