The scorching-hot summer of 2022 has changed the plans of British travellers, with research from travel insurance company, InsureandGo, revealing that two-thirds of Britons (67 per cent) are thinking about when and where to travel this year because of the extreme heat at home and abroad last summer. Only a third of holidaymakers (33 per cent) will stick with the summer holiday period, and make suitable adjustments to the potential for extreme weather.

The survey found that 44 per cent of respondents said they are thinking about changing their travel season – with 36 per cent now more likely to holiday in the spring or autumn months. A further eight per cent said they would even think about switching their main family holiday from summer to the winter months.

A total of 24 per cent said they would stick with the summer period for a main overseas holiday, but they would now look for cooler destinations to avoid soaring temperatures; these travellers are considering Scandinavia, Canada and Ireland as potential destinations.

Regarding the age of travellers, the survey showed a clear divide in approach between the older and younger generations. For those under 45, there was a greater emphasis on looking for cooler destinations while, in contrast, older travellers over 55 were those most likely to consider switching holiday timings to off-peak periods.

“These survey findings make clear that climate change is directly beginning to have an impact on people's holiday plans,” said Chris Rolland, CEO at InsureandGo Travel Insurance. The soaring temperatures people experienced in Europe last year have been a “game-changer”, according to Rolland.