The ongoing conflict in Iran and the resulting global unrest are pushing more travellers to choose European destinations for the upcoming holidays. Travel organisations Sunweb and TUI report a sharp rise in demand for trips within Europe, along with a renewed interest in package holidays.
Sunweb says bookings for Southern Europe have “exploded” since the outbreak of the war. Portugal is seeing the biggest jump, with demand up by 70 percent, while interests in Spain and Greece have risen by 30 percent. According to the company, travellers are opting for shorter flights and familiar destinations amidst uncertainty.
TUI is also noticing a shift toward Spain and Greece for the upcoming summer season. Long‑haul beach destinations such as Curaçao, Bonaire, the Dominican Republic, and Cancun in Mexico are gaining popularity. However, the company is avoiding Egypt for last‑minute sun holidays, choosing instead to promote the Canary Islands and Cape Verde.
Package holidays
Sunweb says package holidays are becoming more attractive because they offer greater security. Features such as flexible rebooking, money‑back guarantees in the event of cancellations and emergency assistance are increasingly important to travellers.
TUI has suspended trips to the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Oman until the travel advisory remains orange. Journeys to the Far East that require transfers in Dubai or Qatar have also been cancelled.
Stable pricing
Despite rising fuel prices, Sunweb does not expect immediate price increases for package holidays. However, if tensions persist and fuel costs rise further, flights that have not yet been purchased may become more expensive.
anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
