Travel column with Katie Butler of Total Travel: Summer 2026 is shaping up very nicely indeed
One minute we are dusting off the barbecue, arguing over whose turn it is to cut the grass and wondering if Yorkshire has somehow relocated to the Mediterranean…. and the next minute we are back reaching for jumpers and checking the weather app every five minutes.
However, if last week's bookings are anything to go by, our customers certainly haven't had enough of the sunshine. What a week it was for new holiday bookings. It seems that those few glorious days of hot weather have done exactly what they always do – reminded everyone how much they enjoy sitting by a pool with a cold drink, rather than sitting in traffic on the M62.
It is hard to believe that our Brighouse shop, the youngest of our three branches, celebrated its second birthday last week. Where those two years have gone, I honestly don't know, but what a fantastic couple of years it has been.
On Saturday, we invited customers to pop in, say hello and enjoy a celebratory drink with us, and what a day it turned out to be. The sun was shining, the town was busy, and throughout the day we welcomed so many familiar faces through the door. It was lovely to catch up with customers who have travelled with us before, as well as meeting new customers who are planning their very first holiday with us. There were plenty of congratulations, lots of holiday chat, new bookings being made and a few celebratory drinks enjoyed along the way.
Days like these remind us why we love what we do. A huge thank you to each and every customer, old and new, who has supported us over the past two years. Your loyalty, recommendations and trust have helped make our little branch in Brighouse such a success, and we are incredibly grateful.
On to popular destinations, Spain continues to dominate holiday plans and there has been some interesting news coming through over the past week. Spanish tourism officials are forecasting another strong summer season, with visitor numbers from the UK expected to grow significantly. In fact, airline seat capacity from the UK to Spain in June is forecast to be up by more than eight per cent compared with last year, which tells you everything you need to know about the British appetite for a Spanish holiday.
What I found particularly interesting was the ongoing discussion around the Schengen 90-day rule. Since Brexit, UK passport holders have been limited to spending 90 days within any 180-day period in most European countries, including Spain. Now, some senior Spanish tourism figures are openly backing efforts to make life easier for British visitors.
Looking ahead, summer 2026 is shaping up very nicely indeed. The recent spell of sunshine has certainly got people thinking about holidays, and if last week was anything to go by, plenty of Yorkshire folk have decided that a week or two in the Med sounds a lot more appealing than gambling on another British heatwave.
And honestly, can you blame them? One minute you're sunbathing in your back garden, the next you're putting the heating back on. Some things never change.