War Prompts Europeans to Switch Holidays Away from Eastern Mediterranean
Conflict in the Middle East is changing European summer travel plans. Holidaymakers are actively switching destinations away from the eastern Mediterranean. Travel companies report a significant shift in bookings. Customers are moving trips from Cyprus, Turkey, and Greece. They are now choosing Italy, Spain, Malta, and Croatia instead.
Tui, Europe’s largest holiday operator, confirms this trend. Demand has risen sharply for “familiar, easy‑to‑reach locations.” These include Spain, Portugal, Greece, and even Cape Verde. Some cancellations occur in affected areas. However, more customers are simply amending their existing plans.
Rising Demand for the Caribbean
Travelers are also looking further west to avoid disruption. Interest in long-haul Caribbean trips is described as “off the charts.” The Dominican Republic and Jamaica are seeing particularly strong demand. This surge is driven by people seeking stable, conflict-free options.
However, this increased demand comes with a cost. Flight prices to these destinations have risen dramatically. In some cases, economy seats have gone up by £1,000 per person. For example, London to Antigua flights rose 27% in just one week. This prices many holidays out of the market for regular customers.
Industry Impact and Airline Changes
The tourism industry is beginning to count the financial cost. Shares in several travel companies have fallen significantly. easyJet and Jet2 shares dropped by 16% and 10% respectively. On the Beach suspended its annual profit guidance. It cited the “unknown” duration and outcome of the war. A planned stock exchange flotation for Loveholidays is also reportedly delayed.
Airlines are making major adjustments to their schedules. British Airways cancelled its seasonal Abu Dhabi route from Heathrow. Wizz Air is reallocating about half of its Middle East capacity. This means 25 to 30 daily flights are moving to European destinations. Croatia, Spain, Portugal, and Italy are the main beneficiaries.
The Cost to Middle East Tourism
The conflict has devastated the Middle East’s tourism sector. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates huge daily losses. The region is losing $600 million in visitor spending every day. Before the conflict, international visitors were expected to spend $207 billion there this year.
Famous sites and hotels have also been directly affected. The world-famous Fairmont hotel in Dubai was struck. Debris from an intercepted drone caused a fire at the iconic Burj Al Arab. The Foreign Office now advises against travel to several countries in the region. This includes the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
For European travelers, the summer of 2026 will look very different. The shift away from the eastern Mediterranean is clear and dramatic.
