British Tourists Abandon Middle Eastern Destinations for Easter Getaways
British holidaymakers are rapidly rebooking their Easter vacations away from Dubai and other Middle Eastern destinations, according to leading travel firms. A significant shift in demand has emerged, with travellers opting for western European and Caribbean alternatives amid ongoing regional conflict.
Changing Travel Patterns
Since the US-Israeli military action against Iran commenced on February 28, UK demand for traditional hotspots like Turkey, Cyprus, and Egypt has plummeted. Conversely, bookings have surged for Portugal, Italy, and Spain, alongside longer-haul journeys to the United States, Cape Verde, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mauritius, Thailand, and India.
Interestingly, Greece has maintained strong demand despite its geographical proximity to the conflict zone, according to data analysed by BBC News.
Industry Perspectives
Neil Swanson, Managing Director of Tui UK and Ireland, observed that British travellers are actively seeking "reassuring alternatives to avoid travel through the Middle East." He noted a clear switch towards "familiar, easy-to-reach" locations such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Cape Verde, with Caribbean flights also experiencing heightened interest.
Specific data from Thomas Cook reveals a 42 percent increase in bookings to Portugal over the two weeks leading to March 13. The Balearic Islands followed with a 40 percent rise, and the Canary Islands saw a 16 percent uptick.
Search Trends and Market Impact
TravelSupermarket, a prominent comparison website, reported a "clear surge" in online searches for Atlantic and European destinations away from the Middle East. Between March 1 and 11, searches for Antigua, Dominican Republic, Cape Verde, and Italy's Tuscany region more than doubled compared to the previous 11-day period.
Steve Heapy, Chief Executive of Jet2 Holidays, confirmed to Travel Weekly that hotels in Turkey and Cyprus have suffered declining demand since the conflict began. "People aren't booking to Cyprus and Turkey and cancellations are up," he stated, adding that efforts are underway to secure special offers for these destinations in anticipation of a post-conflict recovery.
Corporate Responses and Financial Strain
The travel industry is feeling the financial pressure. On The Beach suspended its annual guidance last week, citing a "significant slowdown in demand" for destinations like Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and Egypt following the onset of regional hostilities.
Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, highlighted a dramatic market shift: "a big collapse in bookings to the Middle East and a big surge in bookings on short haul airlines within Europe."
British Airways has cancelled all flights to Dubai until at least June, extending cancellations to Amman, Bahrain, Tel Aviv until after May 31, and Doha until late April. Flights to Abu Dhabi are suspended until later this year. This decision followed the temporary closure of Dubai's main airport due to a drone attack.
Tourism and Economic Consequences
Dubai, which welcomed 19.6 million visitors in 2025 (a 5 percent annual increase, including 1.47 million from the UK), now faces severe tourism disruption. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to the United Arab Emirates.
An estimated 75,000 British tourists visited Dubai during Easter last year; this figure is expected to approach zero for the upcoming holiday if conflict persists. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates the Middle East's tourism industry is losing approximately $600 million (£448 million) daily in visitor spending.
Broader Travel Implications
Several airlines, including Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Scandinavia's SAS, have confirmed plans to increase fares in response to rising jet fuel prices. MPs were warned last week that holiday airfares are set to leap due to the Middle East crisis, potentially impacting inflation.
Energy market expert Amrita Sen described the jet fuel market as having gone "crazy," with price surges likely to translate into higher fares immediately.
Safety Guidance for Travellers
Current UK Foreign Office guidance considers Greece safe for travel. Most of Turkey is also deemed safe, excluding its eastern border with Syria. While there is no specific advice against travel to Cyprus, warnings note that "regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption."
For Egypt, certain areas like the Libya border are considered unsafe, but key tourist regions including Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Sharm El Sheikh remain accessible under current advisories.
Market Adjustments and Future Outlook
In a bid to attract nervous travellers, some package holidays to countries near the conflict zone are being offered for as little as £100. However, travel companies fear the downturn will continue indefinitely with no clear end to the war, making it difficult to assess the full impact on profits.
The global aviation sector remains severely disrupted, with numerous carriers cancelling or suspending services to Middle Eastern hubs. Major airlines worldwide have adjusted their schedules, reflecting the ongoing challenges in regional airspace security and operational stability.
