British holidaymakers are switching their Easter travel plans away from Dubai and the wider Middle East as conflict in neighbouring Iran disrupts flights and raises safety concerns. Travel firms report a sharp drop in bookings to the region, alongside a surge in demand for European and long-haul destinations seen as more stable.
Airlines have suspended routes and governments have issued warnings against travel to parts of the Middle East, prompting travellers to seek alternatives. British Airways has halted flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Tel Aviv and Amman until at least the end of May due to ongoing uncertainty and airspace instability.
Travel companies say the shift is driving strong demand for familiar destinations such as Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, as well as long-haul options including the Caribbean, Mauritius and the United States. Some routes are already filling faster than last year, with limited availability for late bookings.
Neil Swanson, managing director of TUI UK and Ireland, said travellers are looking for “reassuring alternatives to avoid travel through the Middle East”. He added that customers are choosing “familiar, easy-to-reach” destinations, with Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cape Verde seeing higher demand.
There is also growing interest in long-haul destinations that do not require transfers through the Gulf. Demand is particularly strong for the Caribbean, especially the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, as well as Phuket in Thailand and Goa in India.
Data from travel firms highlights the scale of the shift. Bookings to Portugal rose by 42% in the two weeks to 13 March, while the Balearic Islands saw a 40% increase and the Canary Islands 16%. Premium travel company Kuoni reported bookings up by 20% for the Caribbean, 18% for Africa and 16% for Europe, including a 55% rise for Italy.
Online searches are also rising rapidly. TravelSupermarket said interest in destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Antigua, Cape Verde and Italy’s Tuscany region has more than doubled in early March compared with the previous period.
At the same time, demand for destinations closer to the Middle East has slowed. Travel firms report weaker bookings for Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt, while some operators say cancellations have increased as travellers reconsider their plans.
Air travel across the region has been heavily disrupted by the conflict, with flight cancellations and rerouting affecting thousands of passengers. Major airlines have suspended services or adjusted schedules as airspace closures and safety concerns continue, according to euronews.
The uncertainty is also pushing up costs. Rising oil and jet fuel prices linked to the conflict are expected to lead to higher fares, while airlines warn that availability may tighten further as demand shifts to alternative destinations.
Despite the disruption, industry figures say overall travel demand remains strong. Airports report fuller flights than a year ago, and passenger numbers are expected to rise by up to 20% this year as holidaymakers continue to prioritise travel.
Seamus McCauley, head of public affairs at Holiday Extras, said affordability remains a key factor for travellers. He said: “As a result, we expect holidaymakers will head to places where they can get more for their money and experience warm weather in locations far from these tensions.”
For now, the shift in bookings suggests that while demand for travel remains resilient, destination choices are rapidly changing as holidaymakers seek safer and more predictable options for the Easter getaway.
