Travel agents say clients are looking for reassurance as the war in the Middle East continues, with some choosing to rebook to alternative destinations.
Several agents told Travel Gossip business has slowed considerably in the last week since the US/Israeli-Iran attacks began. Some customers are asking to change bookings to eastern Mediterranean destinations such as Cyprus and Turkey for alternatives such as Spain and Portugal. Others say clients due to travel long-haul via the Middle East are anxious.
Hays Travel PTC homeworker Steph Haden said: “Everything has gone really quiet for me. I had families change plans and book for Spain/Portugal having originally planned Greece/Turkey/Cyprus regions.
“I’ve got clients out in Thailand. Their flight for this weekend has been cancelled. They’re currently rebooked for Monday, still via Dubai though, so I’m not sure if that will also be cancelled.”
Hays PTC Kelly Lill has rearranged holidays for two families who had booked to go to Turkey – one in August and one in October – and who are now going to the Canary Islands, while Greig Ewins, of Personal Cruise and Travel, said customers due to go to Cyprus and Turkey ‘are a bit worried and looking for some sort of reassurance’.
He added: “I have customers due to fly to Thailand via Doha this weekend. They don’t want to go and are just waiting on Qatar cancelling.”
He said another set of customers, who have booked to go to Adelaide via Doha ‘are not keen on going through there just now, but there are no options to reroute at the moment’.
Agent Sean Coning, from Thirsk Travel, said: “We’ve had people change holidays they’ve booked to Turkey for June and go elsewhere. Some are even asking if their US or Majorca trip in October is safe.”
Lincolnshire-based Travel Counsellor Katie May said: “I’m fortunate that I don’t have any clients directly affected – although I have been contacted for help by two people who didn’t book with me.
“However I’m also finding that it’s affecting people’s choices moving forwards. Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt are being turned down in favour of closer Mediterranean destinations and the Canary Islands. Long-haul flights to other destinations are through the roof – not just for Easter, but well into the rest of the year.”
Dartmouth Travel agent Sara Spillard said: “I’ve had a few to sort and reroute, and a Cyprus booking that amended to Majorca. Interest in Cyprus and Turkey is lower.”
Linda Mahoney, agent at Charter Travel, said this week has been ‘business as usual’ with US bookings ‘very busy last week and positive for this week so far’.
She said: “I thought I would have more enquiries with folk wishing to switch from travelling east, which has seen a huge uptake since Trump [was re-elected President].”
Agent Tracy Dixon, of TD Travel in Bexhill-on-Sea, said she’s had ‘a couple of clients that are going away to Turkey and Greece in May and June ask about changing their destinations but are going to stay with what they have’.
However, Tracy added: “I’m due to go to Dubai for the Easter holidays, and even if things were to resolve, we are going to cancel and rebook.”
The Wanderlust Club agent Poonam Jagatia, part of InteleTravel, said one family that is due to go out to Dubai at the end of this month ‘are adamant they want to go if flights resume’, but said two families due to go out in April are ‘hesitant’ and would like a refund.
“It’s not been an easy week for any of us having to sort with very little information as no-one knows what’s to come and it’s taking it day by day. The tour operators have been amazing with the communication and support to clients.
“The Middle East is a big seller and for me it’s a massive blow. I hope that the UAE will still remain my number one seller once the dust settles.”
Pictured, Side in Turkey
