Long-haul destinations benefit from crisis in Egypt, Turkey & Tunisia

LONG-HAUL destinations are seeing a big increase in bookings due to recent terrorist murders in Turkey, Egypt, and Tunisia, according to Travel Counsellors. 

Spain, the US, and Greece are still the top three #destinations for #summer #holidays, it said, but Italy, Portugal, and Cyprus have overtaken Turkey, which has fallen from fourth to eighth place following a 57% drop in bookings, and bookings for more far flung destinations are on the rise.

Bookings to Thailand were up 27% over last year, while Canada and Barbados are up by 45% and 24% respectively. Indonesia and Sri Lanka have seen uplifts of 63% and 101% respectively.

Simon Jeffries, head of product at Travel Counsellors, said: ‘These figures are a clear indicator of the shift towards long-haul 'experience' holidays, which looks set to continue for the foreseeable future. Changing exchange rates across the EU are also likely to have had an effect on destination choices this summer vs. 2015.

‘The data is also consistent with a trend for resilience amongst British holidaymakers. Traditionally, we might expect foreign travel to decrease in the light of recent global events, but total sales are up 8% overall, suggesting that – far from avoiding foreign travel – Brits are simply modifying their plans and taking advantage of destinations that they feel are 'safer', or where their money may go further.’

Travel Counsellors said bookings to Egypt have dropped by 85%, causing it to fall from 11th place last year to 85th, and Tunisia, which was 29th, has fallen off the chart since the UK’s Foreign Office advised against travelling there.


Go Holiday news : www.govillasandcottages.co.uk

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