Last year, locals complaining about tourists dominated the travel landscape.
With anti-tourist protests sweeping across Europe and campaigns to crack down on rising numbers visiting such places as the Canary Islands, it seems holidaymakers are becoming less welcome around the world.
But in reality, 2026 could be very different.
While some destinations spent 2025 trying to turn away low-spend tourism, in 2026 many more are openly courting it.
Across Europe, North Africa and Asia, a wave of countries are investing in affordability, easing entry rules and running campaigns designed to attract holidaymakers who want great value.
In fact, Holiday Extras says there are many destinations that genuinely want budget travellers – and are proving it with new routes, subsidies, incentives and pro-tourism policy.
Governments and tourism boards in these spots are launching initiatives specifically aimed at welcoming value-driven visitors.
Top of the list is Tunisia, which is expanding year-round affordable packages and improving air links. The North African country is becoming increasingly popular with low prices and magnificent scenery.
Tunisia is on the rise as an up-and-coming travel destination with great prices
Bulgaria, meanwhile, is continuing to market Sunny Beach and Varna as Europe’s best-value coast, drawing in more tourists.
Istria in Croatia is positioning itself as a relaxed, welcoming alternative to high-priced hotspots – as such marketing itself to welcome in travellers in their hordes.
Plus, Egypt is rolling out a 2030 tourism strategy centred on increasing visitor numbers with affordable, mass-market holidays.
Another country that’s keen to lure in more visitors is Albania, which has been investing heavily in infrastructure, low-cost flights and marketing to grow budget and mid-market tourism.
Sri Lanka is also introducing free 30-day visas to boost arrivals.
Plus, Cambodia, Georgia, Nepal and Vietnam are expanding visa access, flight routes and development programmes explicitly designed to attract more visitors
These destinations are not simply tolerant of travellers on a budget; they are competing for them.
Elizabeth Hogg, chief operating officer at Holiday Extras, said: ‘After a year dominated by stories of overtourism crackdowns, the reality is far more encouraging for holidaymakers watching their budgets.
Bulgaria, complete with charming old towns, is a fabulous budget-friendly spot
Beautiful views across Istria and Croatia are sure to draw in more tourists
‘All over the world, destinations are investing to attract more value-conscious travellers.
‘From Bulgaria’s bargain coastline to Sri Lanka’s free visas, there are dozens of places that genuinely want more British visitors.’
Meanwhile, the anti-budget backlash barely touched British travellers.
Holiday Extras’ survey of 2,000 UK holidaymakers found that, even in destinations most vocal about discouraging cheap party trips or day-trippers – including Amsterdam, Ibiza, Majorca and Tenerife – only small single-digit percentages of travellers reported feeling unwelcome.
While a handful of Western European cities are tightening rules or running deterrent campaigns, far more destinations are actively lowering barriers, boosting capacity and positioning themselves as affordable places to explore.
