British holidaymakers are increasingly swapping traditional European destinations like Spain and Portugal for North African countries such as Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, according to travel firms. Experts say the region offers high-quality hotels at significantly lower prices than similar properties in Spain, France and Italy.
Data from aviation analysts Cirium shows that 19,847 flights are expected to serve routes from UK airports to these North African nations this year, more than double the 8,653 flights in 2019. In contrast, flights to Spain and Portugal are predicted to rise by only 10% and 9% respectively over the same period.
Tui, the travel company, reported a 30% increase in bookings for summer holidays in Egypt compared to last year, along with “double-digit growth” for Tunisia and strong demand for Morocco. Chris Logan, Tui’s UK commercial director, said these destinations offer “fantastic value for money”, making it difficult for traditional European resorts to compete. He added that even in winter, temperatures remain mild, making them ideal for year-round travel.
Booking.com reported a 68% increase in searches for summer breaks in Tunisia during the first five months of this year compared with the same period in 2024, while Egypt and Morocco saw increases of 64% and 39% respectively. Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, managing director at Barrhead Travel, noted that the investment in high-quality hotels and experiences in these regions is attracting customers who previously favoured mainland Europe.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, observed a “clear trend toward value-conscious holiday planning” due to ongoing cost of living pressures. She said: “Although favourites such as Spain and Turkey are still our top-selling destinations, it’s safe to say north Africa is a region to watch over the next few years.”
