In June, the number of travel agents’ searches for cooler destinations on RateHawk was 8% higher than in the same period last year. Also, this summer’s travel trends are being shaped by the impact of global sporting competition, driving long-haul destination bookings across the Americas.

Despite the current summer season being affected by factors such as ongoing uncertainties in the Middle East and the recently rolled-out EU border system, demand for summer travel remains strong, with bookings up by 20% worldwide according to RateHawk data.

The most popular European destinations among travel agents are Italy, Greece, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Portugal.

Iceland, while just outside the global top 10 destinations, is showing exceptional momentum this season. The country has seen remarkable growth of up to 47% compared to last summer.

This surge is driven in part by airlines launching new routes from a few European countries and by travellers increasingly seeking out Iceland’s breathtaking scenery and unique travel experiences.

The rise in popularity also reflects the growing “coolcation” trend, with more travellers choosing cooler destinations for their summer getaways.

Travel to Spain and Portugal is also rising rapidly, with travellers from Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany increasingly choosing these destinations for their summer holidays. In Spain, travellers spend an average of 196GBP per night and, on average, stay for four nights, while in Portugal, the average daily rate is 175GBP per night for a three-night stay.

In North America, the United States and Canada lead in bookings, supported by the FIFA World Cup, which attracted visitors from around the globe. Canada emerges as the fastest-growing destination, following last year’s record-breaking summer.

In Asia, Japan remains one of the top ten global destinations. Interest in Indonesia continues to grow, while demand for travel to China has doubled.