According to the latest report from Polarsteps, the French are significantly changing their travel habits this summer, driven by geopolitical uncertainties, rising prices, and the intense heat. The conclusion is clear: travel remains a priority, but consumers are making more careful choices about their destinations, budget, and travel style.
Summary
Safety as the primary criterion
International conflicts and geopolitical tensions now directly influence travel decisions. Nearly one in two French travelers say that the global context has changed their summer plans
- 7.5% cancelled a trip
- 11% changed their destination
- more than a third hesitate to visit certain destinations
Even more striking, 90% of travellers surveyed say that safety and political stability have become essential criteria in choosing their holidays this summer.
The results also show an age-related divide; the younger the travelers, the more they are affected, with Gen Z being four times more likely to have canceled or changed a trip than Boomers.
Despite the general increase in costs, the desire to travel remains strong
30% of French people say they plan to increase their travel budget this summer, compared to 16% who plan to reduce it.
“We are seeing a global trend: more and more consumers are looking for authentic experiences, rooted in real life. Travel plays a leading role in this area.”
explains Clare Jones, CEO of Polarsteps.
“Despite the current economic difficulties, the resilience of the travel sector shows how real, rather than digital, experiences remain paramount for consumers when planning their spending.”
The United States divides French travelers
While several European markets show a strong reluctance to travel to the United States, the French display a more nuanced position.
48% of French people surveyed say they are less inclined to travel to the United States due to the current political climate. Conversely, nearly a quarter say they are more attracted to this destination. Polarsteps' planning data confirms this trend: the United States is the second most planned destination for French people for summer 2026, just behind Italy.
Nature, authenticity and freshness: the new desires of the French
Although Italy remains the top destination for French travelers this summer, France shows a significantly stronger preference for long-haul destinations than its German and British neighbors. Among the most significant increases observed among French travelers are:
- Japan, ranked 5th( 19thin 2025)
- Vietnam, ranked 17th( 24thin 2025)
- Iceland, ranked 19th( 31stin 2025)
- Malaysia, ranked 22nd( 27thin 2025)
- South Korea, ranked 25th( 43rdin 2025)
Conversely, some historically popular destinations are declining, such as Turkey, ranked 35th( 22ndin 2025).
Furthermore, the French are gradually embracing the "coolcation" trend in response to the recurring heatwaves in France and throughout Southern Europe. Nordic countries and more temperate destinations are increasingly appealing: 37% of French travelers are choosing a cooler destination this year. Generation Z is the most likely to opt for these coolcations (51%, twice as many as Baby Boomers).
Methodology
The survey was conducted in April 2026 by Dynata, one of the world's largest proprietary data and analytics platforms. A representative sample of 2,403 adults, all actively planning at least one international trip during the summer of 2026, was surveyed in a weighted manner across four markets: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France.
Travel trends for each market are based on anonymized data from 75,000 trips planned in the Polarsteps app for summer 2026, collected on April 15, 2026.
