Family package holidays to destinations like Dubai and Egypt are significantly cheaper this summer than last, as tour operators slash prices to lure back nervous British travellers. The war in Iran has put many off countries near the conflict or those requiring flights through Middle Eastern airspace, pushing them instead to stick with European breaks.
Prices for an average all-inclusive seven-night family stay in the United Arab Emirates have dropped by 25% this August compared with last, according to TravelSupermarket data compiled for the BBC. The same holiday to Egypt is 8% cheaper, while Morocco is down 6.5%, Tunisia 2.5% and Turkey 1.6%.
“Family holidays to Dubai and Egypt are up to 25% cheaper this summer as travel fears over the Iran war reduce demand.”
In contrast, the cost of package deals to Spain, Portugal and Greece has risen between 3% and 5%.
Tim and Natalie Harris from Swansea had booked a trip to Dubai with their two teenage daughters this summer, but when the Iran war broke out they cancelled and lost their deposit. “We did manage to find a package for £6,400 for all-inclusive in Mexico which we've booked,” Tim said.
Last month, the Foreign Office dropped its advice against travelling to Dubai after the US and Iran reached an agreement to stop the war, but warned British citizens that “the situation remains unpredictable” in the region.
Mollie Hitchen, assistant manager of Marple Travel Hyde, said customers were more nervous this year about going anywhere near the Middle East, or getting stuck somewhere further afield because of fuel shortages. “People will ask questions, but we just reassure people that there is absolutely no problems with those destinations,” she said.
Flora Badger, who contacted BBC Your Voice after watching holiday prices fluctuate, is taking three teenage girls on their first holiday abroad this summer. She first considered booking in April to avoid expensive summer months but held off over the situation in the Middle East and fears of getting stuck abroad. She ended up booking to go to the Spanish island of Lanzarote in September. “Price was a huge, huge issue,” she said. “It's very frustrating how much it increases in the school holidays. At the end of the day they need a treat, we've been saving up for it, they've been looking forward to it, so we're planning on going.”
The steep price rises for European holidays may have slowed but are still creeping up, TravelSupermarket data suggests.