Britain’s Holiday Giant Prepares for Blockbuster Spring Listing
London’s stock market could get a serious boost this spring. Loveholidays, one of Britain’s biggest online travel agents, is prepping for a £1bn IPO that could launch as early as March 2026. After a strong end to 2025, this London listing would give the bourse some much-needed momentum—and signal that homegrown tech and consumer firms still see value in going public at home.
The firm’s private equity backer, Livingbridge, just added Investec to the banking syndicate. Translation? Things are heating up.
What’s Driving the Loveholidays IPO?
Post-Pandemic Travel Boom
Loveholidays has caught a wave that’s still rolling. The firm specialises in package holidays—think Spanish beaches, Greek islands, and long-haul getaways—and it’s flourished during the unexpected post-pandemic travel rebound.
Here’s the thing: consumers aren’t just booking flights and hotels separately anymore. They’re opting for packages that offer protection against cancellations, delays, and disruption. Barclays data showed that package holiday spending growth outpaced overall travel spending last summer. Smart money’s on convenience and peace of mind.
The Numbers Look Solid
Founded in 2012, Loveholidays posted revenue of £288m in the year to October 2025, up from £235m the previous year. EBITDA climbed to £71.3m from £61.9m over the same period. That’s the kind of growth trajectory that gets investment bankers excited.
Consultancy firm OC&C predicts the UK, Irish, and German package holiday market will hit £67bn by 2028, up from £49bn in 2024. The runway’s there.
Why London?
Back in September, Loveholidays boss Donat Rétif told Bloomberg that London would be the “logical” choice for a listing, given the firm’s status as a homegrown British business. While the March timeline could shift depending on market conditions, the intent is clear.
For the London Stock Exchange, this couldn’t come at a better time. There were 11 IPOs in Q4 2025 raising £1.9bn, according to EY-Parthenon data, including high-profile listings from Princes Group (tinned tuna) and specialist lender Shawbrook.
LSEG chief executive Julia Hoggett says many companies are “actively preparing” for London listings this year. The big prize? Oslo-based software firm Visma, which could fetch a £17bn valuation and would represent a rare win for the UK market as it battles to retain high-growth tech firms.
What This Means for UK Markets
A £1bn Loveholidays IPO would be more than just another listing. It’s a vote of confidence in London’s public markets at a time when tech and growth companies have been fleeing to New York or staying private longer.
The UK capital markets have struggled to compete with the deeper liquidity and higher valuations available in the US. But a string of successful listings—especially from consumer-facing and tech-adjacent firms—could shift sentiment.
For investors, it’s a chance to back a profitable, growing business riding a secular trend in travel preferences. For London, it’s a chance to prove it can still attract and reward companies that choose to list at home.
The Bottom Line
Loveholidays’ planned £1bn IPO represents a meaningful test for London’s stock market. If it goes ahead in March and performs well, expect more companies to dust off their listing plans. If it gets delayed or underwhelms, it’ll reinforce concerns that London’s struggling to keep pace with rival exchanges.
Either way, the travel sector’s post-pandemic resilience is clear. Package holidays are back—and Loveholidays is betting big that public market investors want in.
Want to stay ahead of UK IPO news? Keep an eye on London Stock Exchange announcements and watch for updates on Visma’s potential mega-listing.
FAQ
Q1: When is the Loveholidays IPO expected to launch?
A: The listing could happen as early as March 2026, though the timing may shift depending on market conditions. Livingbridge and its banking syndicate are actively preparing for a spring launch.
Q2: What valuation is Loveholidays targeting?
A: Bloomberg previously reported the firm could seek a valuation of around £1bn. Final pricing will depend on investor appetite and market conditions at launch.
Q3: Why are package holidays growing so fast?
A: Post-pandemic, consumers prioritise protection against travel disruption. Package holidays offer built-in safeguards for cancellations and delays, driving faster growth than DIY travel bookings.
Q4: How did Loveholidays perform financially in 2024?
A: Revenue hit £288m in the year to October 2025, up from £235m. EBITDA rose to £71.3m from £61.9m, showing strong profitability alongside revenue growth.
Q5: What does this IPO mean for the London Stock Exchange?
A: It’s a major confidence signal. After losing tech firms to US markets, a successful £1bn consumer listing could attract more homegrown companies to go public in London.
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Effective Date: 15th July 2025
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