Spring vacations 2026: the sun and medium-haul flights are the French favourites

Visit spring break 2026 of sunshine and destinations for all ages. medium-haul for the French. Travel agencies are reporting a significant increase in bookings, both in terms of the number of files and business volume, with a slight rise in the average shopping basket. This trend, confirmed by the French Holiday Observatory of the Orchestra platform for Travel Companies (EdV), reflects a more targeted demand, where budget and quality of service are paramount.

This renewed interest in spring travel is also influenced by the international security context. Ongoing tensions in the Middle East are prompting some customers to opt for destinations considered more stable and further away from conflict zones. The Observatory thus notes a heightened interest in seaside and Mediterranean destinations, often acclaimed for their climate and accessibility.

A distribution barometer

Les Entreprises du Voyage (EDV), the main employers' association for French travel agencies and tour operators, relies on the Orchestra technology platform. The latter, a member of the Travelsoft group, tracks sales performance in France for over twenty major brands. The observatory, based on consolidated agency data, offers a precise view of market trends, focusing on packaged holidays including at least one overnight stay.

Travel agencies back on track

For the 2026 spring vacations, sales recorded by travel agencies using the Orchestra platform show an increase of 3% in the number of files and 5% in business volume compared with 2025. The average basket stands at 2,192 euros, an increase of around 2%. The Observatory points to a clear upturn in dynamism, contrasting with a more hesitant start to the year, confirming the role of agencies in preparing family vacations and holidays abroad.

Medium-haul, the season's driving force

The April vacation period sees the medium-haul was the main driver of the season. Business volume rose by 9%, supported by a 7% increase in the number of cases, while the average basket continued to improve. Long-haul business also showed a positive trend, with a 2% increase in volumes and files, against a backdrop of generally stable prices for tour packages.

On the other hand, mainland France recorded a decline for the spring vacations, with a drop of around 3% in files and 5% in business volume. This trend can be explained by customers' preference for more exotic destinations, accessible in just a few hours' flight. The Mediterranean Basin, in particular, is benefiting from this trend, with several destinations confirming their status as safe havens for the French market.

Mediterranean, sun and new destinations

The ranking of destinations for spring holidaymakers in 2026 confirms the French people's attraction to the Mediterranean basin and sunny destinations. While France and Spain retain their top positions, they are experiencing a slight decline. Albania stands out with a spectacular increase of 256%, illustrating the growth of new medium-haul destinations. On the long-haul side, Thailand and Mexico recorded significant growth, while the United States and Vietnam declined.

The most popular cities reflect this trend: Paris, which is lagging behind, is followed by seaside resorts such as Heraklion, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, Malaga and Marrakech, all of which are seeing an increase in visitor numbers. Regional instability reinforces the need for travel agencies to guide their customers to areas perceived as safer. Destinations such as the Canary Islands and the Dominican Republic illustrate the subtle trade-off between the desire for sun, budget control and safety, while at the same time marking the emergence of new destinations popular with the French.

Families, duos and tours in demand

For spring vacation 2026, families and duos account for the majority of bookings, with around 41% and 42% of files respectively. Families maintained their volume while slightly increasing their budget, while couples saw a small increase in files and a moderate rise in the average basket.

Solos and groups of friends recorded the strongest growth in the number of files, reflecting a return to group travel as well as an increase in individual projects. In terms of products, non-tour packages are on the rise, while accommodation-only packages are declining, particularly in terms of the average basket.

Finally, the circuits posted strong growth of around 16% in the number of cases. They still have the highest average basket, despite a slight downturn. Travelers are thus showing a willingness to invest in supervised itineraries offering a secure setting for their April vacations, a strong sign of the changing trends observed this spring.