New research has unveiled the UK’s most in-demand travel destinations, with the West African island nation of Cape Verde taking the top spot.

The study, conducted by Dubai Tours & Tickets, analysed Google search data over the past year, examining 250 countries and utilising seven key search terms such as “holidays,” “flights,” and “trips” to reveal the UK’s most popular destinations.

Cape Verde emerged as the frontrunner, attracting an average of 93,879 monthly searches from eager UK travellers. Notably, the search term “Holiday Cabo Verde” dominated, making up a significant 78,208 of these searches.

Coming in second place is the tropical paradise of the Maldives. The South Asian island chain saw an average of 88,249 searches each month, with “Holiday Maldives” accounting for 75,458 of those inquiries.

Albania, a rising star in Southeastern Europe, claimed third place, with an average of 54,929 searches per month. The term “Holiday Albania” was a popular choice, contributing 37,583 searches on average. Albania’s growing appeal has seen it described on social media as the “Maldives of Europe.”

In fourth place is Japan, which has gained attention with an average of 51,468 monthly searches from UK travellers. The search term “Flights Japan” attracted 23,033 searches on its own.

Rounding out the top five is Spain, a long-time favourite among UK holidaymakers. The country drew an average of 34,462 monthly searches, with “Flights Spain” accounting for 21,055 of these.

Magdalena Petrusic from Dubai Tours & Tickets commented on the findings, suggesting that the power of social media may be driving interest in less traditional destinations. She noted that Albania’s affordability and stunning landscapes, often showcased online, are helping to attract a new wave of British travellers. Meanwhile, despite the allure of dream destinations like the Maldives, she remarked that the high costs of flights and accommodation may deter some from turning their search inquiries into actual trips.

As travel trends continue to evolve, it will be intriguing to see how these destinations fare in the coming months and whether British holidaymakers follow through on their dreams of sun, sea, and adventure.