The 3 destinations now eclipsing Spain for UK holidaymakers, according to Jet2’s boss

Spain has long been a headline holiday destination for Brits, and in 2024, 17.8 million of us flocked there for some sun, seafood, and sangria.

But according to the CEO of one popular airline, the days of the Spanish summer holiday could soon be behind us, as UK residents are steadily flocking to three cheaper destinations instead.

It’s little surprise, considering last summer, thousands-strong crowds took to the streets of Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca to condemn overtourism.

The protests — part of the wider Southern Europe Against Touristification coalition, which held similar demonstrations in travel hotspots Lisbon, Venice and Genoa — aimed to highlight the negative impact of mass tourism on local residents.

And given this increasingly-unwelcoming atmosphere, Brits are starting to dip their toes in other, equally sunny waters — more specifically, the other side of the Mediterranean Sea, according to Jet2 CEO, Steve Heapy.

‘North Africa is performing well, with Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt standing out,’ he told Hosteltur.

‘Greece is maintaining a good level, and Portugal is doing well. However, we observe that certain areas of Spain are not achieving the expected performance.’

Morocco

At the moment, Morocco is in vogue in the tourism world, welcoming a record-breaking million British visitors in 2024.

It’s not exactly a hidden gem, as places like Marrakesh and Agadir are already popular with tourists (and for good reason).

But if you’re looking for a more authentic experience, the Anti-Atlas mountain region is often missed, even by those who’ve ventured to the likes of the Sahara Desert and the Higher Atlas Mountains.

The Anti-Atlas, also known as the Lesser Atlas or Little Atlas, is Morocco’s southernmost mountain range, bordering the Sahara.

Here, you can expect a dramatic and spectacular lunar-like landscape, with red granite rock formations with pretty red and pink hues. You’ll find small towns and villages nestled in the valleys of the mountain, with the main one, in the central part of the mountains, being Tafraoute.

Interested in a last-minute getaway to Marrakech? Between February 19 and February 26, direct return flights from London Stansted to Marrakesh Menara via Ryanair are available for £30.

Alternatively, head to Rabat, Morocco’s capital, with £44 return fares on the same dates, also with Ryanair and from Stansted.

If you want some more inspiration, Team Metro has extensive experience visiting Morocco.

• Isabel Fraser on Imlil in the High Atlas Mountains: Morocco’s best-kept secret is a welcoming village where community is everything

• Martina Andretta on the desert: Desert camping was my idea of hell — but one night changed my mind

• Maria Astardjieva on Marrakesh: The ‘Red City’ is a hidden vintage shopping capital — just 3 hours from London.

Tunisia

Tunisia is another big one for 2026.

Just like Spain, this North African country is absolutely peppered with beautiful beaches — 776 miles worth, to be specific.

It’s not just sunbathing Tunisia is known for though; the country has a rich history, which can be seen with a visit to the Great Mosque of Kairouan and the Roman amphitheatre of El Jem (famously featured in Gladiator).

There are also the islands, of which the most well-known is Djerba, which due to its stunning white-sand beaches and azure waters, is often called the ‘island of a thousand palm trees’.

Howeber, Djerba also boasts a vibrant cultural and art scene, as well as being a melting pot of culture where Judaism and Islam coexist.

One of its main attractions is ‘Djerbahood’, an open-air art museum in the village of Eriiadh, and it’s home to 350 mosques, including the Jama Fadloud and Sidi Yati Mosque. 

The island’s capital, Houmt Souk – which translates to ‘market district’ – has plenty more for visitors to explore tool; its cobblestone streets are home to bustling markets, shops galore, and the imposing Aghlabid Fortress, which dates back to the 9th century.

If you fancy a trip to Tunisia, direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Tunis-Carthage through Nouvelair, departing on April 21 and returning a week later, currently come in at £105.

• Gergana Krasteva on Tunis: I visited the ‘Santorini of Tunisia’ with cool coffee shops, local art and flights from £76.

Egypt

If you’re in search of some winter sun, Egypt is the place to head. In January, temperatures average at 22°C, while March gets up to a positively toasty 29°C.

Summer is, naturally, absolutely boiling, with the mercury reaching 40°C in July.

And there’s certainly not a shortage of rays here, as Egypt gets more than 3,800 hours of sun each year.

If you like snorkelling, there’s 1,800 miles worth of coastline, and 2,361 square miles of coral reefs to explore in the Red Sea.

But Egypt is also inundated with sights for history buffs, including the Great Pyramid in Giza, one of the last remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Then there’s the Grand Egyptian Museum, which houses 50,000 artefacts from Ancient Egypt, as well as the iconic Great Sphinx.

Return flights from London Luton Airport to Sharm El-Sheikh, travelling with Wizz Air from March 9 to March 16 cost £181. So what are you waiting for?

• Amanda Cable on Egypt’s history: I spent 12 days on a Nile River cruise with an Egyptologist — it was a huge surprise
• Jessica Lindsay on the Rixos Radamis hotel: I never left my hotel on a trip to the ‘cradle of civilisation’ – but I’d do it again
• Chris Buswell on local culture: My honest review of the $1,000,000,000 Grand Egyptian Museum that took 20 years to build
• Jeremy Ullmann on El Gouna: This seaside retreat 3 hours from the UK could solve travel’s biggest problem.

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