The online travel agency’s latest figures reveal that destinations offering warm weather and short flight times are topping wish lists this festive season.

The Canary Islands remain the nation’s favourite escape, while Egypt has recorded the biggest year-on-year surge in bookings, up 136 per cent.

Malta and Morocco are also seeing strong growth, with bookings up 25 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. The shift highlights a growing desire among British travellers to trade traditional Christmas celebrations for sunshine, sea views and new experiences abroad.

Nicholas Smith, Holidays Digital Director at Thomas Cook, said: "Christmas is such a magical time for so many, and what better way to experience the magic than on holiday? We’re intrigued to find that more and more Brits are swapping presents under the tree for memories abroad, and the Canaries remain the firm favourite for some festive winter sun."

Thomas Cook’s data suggests that the appeal of travel as a form of festive gifting is on the rise, with more people choosing experiences over material presents. The trend mirrors a wider move towards travel-based celebrations, particularly among families and couples seeking a stress-free Christmas away from the cold.

City breaks are also gaining momentum, with the Czech Republic seeing an 88 per cent increase in bookings as holidaymakers look for a mix of culture, Christmas markets and short-haul convenience.

Based on total booking numbers, the most popular Christmas getaways for 2025 are the Canary Islands, Egypt, Spain, the USA, Malta, Morocco, the Republic of Ireland, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Portugal.

Industry analysts say the shift could continue into 2026 as travel confidence grows and flexible working allows more people to spend the festive period abroad. For many, the prospect of a sun-drenched Christmas is proving too tempting to resist.