British Holidaymakers Defy Conflict Fears as Turkey and Cyprus Bookings Soar
Travel abroad remains fraught with uncertainty, even following a recent two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Popular Mediterranean destinations, including Cyprus and Turkey, have found themselves inadvertently swept into the regional conflict, despite not being direct participants in the hostilities.
Proximity to Conflict Zones Raises Concerns
Cyprus, situated in the far eastern Mediterranean merely 100 miles from the coasts of Lebanon and Syria, lies in close proximity to the ongoing war involving Iran, the US, and Israel. This geographical reality was starkly highlighted last month when RAF Akrotiri, a British Royal Air Force base on the island, was struck by a drone launched by a pro-Iranian militia. The incident prompted a wave of cancellations by British travellers, despite the absence of official travel advisories against visiting Cyprus.
Turkey, meanwhile, currently has a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warning advising against all travel to areas within 10 kilometres of its border with Syria. This advisory is in place due to active fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism in those regions.
Surge in Demand Defies Expectations
Remarkably, despite the nearby conflicts, drone attacks, and active travel warnings, British holidaymakers appear undeterred. Exclusive data provided to the Daily Mail by the holiday booking platform On the Beach reveals that demand for trips to both Turkey and Cyprus has not only recovered but has increased significantly over recent weeks.
Cyprus has witnessed the most dramatic resurgence, with bookings surging by a staggering 88 percent. Turkey, celebrated for its crystal-clear waters and affordable luxury, has also seen a substantial jump, with bookings increasing by 57 percent. These figures represent a powerful comeback, positioning both destinations among the fastest-growing for UK travellers at present.
Market Position and Consumer Motivation
In the broader market, Turkey currently ranks as the third most-booked destination for British tourists this year, trailing only Spain and the Canary Islands. Cyprus sits just outside the top ten, in twelfth place, but both are gaining momentum as bookings continue to climb.
Caspar Nelson, a holiday expert at On the Beach, attributes this shift to British consumers actively seeking 'great value in the sun.' He notes, 'Turkey and Cyprus are showing great bouncebackability and making a strong return as Brits look for great value in the sun.'
The appeal is multifaceted. Both nations boast sandy beaches, excellent local cuisine, and a wealth of all-inclusive resorts suitable for family vacations and adult-only getaways. Nelson emphasises that the all-inclusive model is a key driver of demand. 'In a world where everyday costs are rising, holidaymakers love being able to lock in their price upfront and then fully switch off, knowing all their food, drinks and entertainment are covered,' he explains. 'It means no unexpected spending while you're away, just great weather, great hotels and total peace of mind, which is exactly what what people are looking for right now.'
Affordable Getaways and a Stark Contrast
This demand is translating into remarkably affordable deals. Holidaymakers can secure a seven-night all-inclusive stay in Antalya, Turkey, in May, including return flights from London Gatwick, for just £315 per person through On the Beach. A similar seven-night all-inclusive package at a four-star hotel in Cyprus in May costs approximately £450 per person.
This represents a dramatic reversal from the situation during the Easter holidays. Data reveals that hotel bookings in Cyprus were down by 40 percent during that period. According to US-based AirDNA, which tracks short-term rental bookings, daily cancellation rates for properties in Cyprus skyrocketed from around 15 percent before the conflict to as high as 100 percent in the immediate aftermath. Although this figure has since decreased, it remained elevated at around 45 percent as of March 21. Greece and Turkey also experienced slight increases in their cancellation rates during this turbulent period.
Industry Impact and Recovery
The initial shockwaves were deeply felt by the Cypriot tourism industry. The Cyprus Hoteliers Association reported a nearly 40 percent drop in bookings for March and a similar reduction for April, according to its director-general, Christos Angelides. This is significant for an island that welcomed four million international visitors in 2025 and relies heavily on UK tourism, with British travellers constituting roughly one-third of all arrivals.
Major hotel operators felt the impact acutely. Muskita Hotels, which operates three properties in Cyprus, reported a wave of cancellations for March and April holidays, coupled with a steep slowdown in bookings for the remainder of 2026. Thanos Hotels and Resorts, managing four Cypriot hotels, also experienced a sudden surge in cancellations.
Despite this rocky start, the current booking data suggests a robust and perhaps unexpected recovery is now firmly underway, driven by value-conscious British tourists prioritising affordable, stress-free holidays in the sun.
