I’m a travel expert of 30 years
THE conflict in the Middle East has had a far-reaching impact on the package holiday market.
Bookings have stalled as holidaymakers delay plans due to the uncertainty and those who are heading away are opting for last-minute trips.
There’s been an increase in demand for Western Mediterranean destinations like Spain and Portugal over the Eastern Med.
Ironically, that has led to some fantastic deals available on holidays to Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt – all of which are operating completely normally and where there are absolutely no safety concerns.
All of our main tour operators – including Jet2, TUI and easyJet Holidays – have not expressed any concern about trips in the short to medium term and are planning on running their summer schedules as normal.
But with airlines across the globe beginning to scale back flight schedules – removing unprofitable routes now jet fuel prices have soared – as well as others introducing surcharges there is a stark contrast between the two.
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If you are looking to head away this summer and haven’t booked, now is probably the time to do it before prices start to rise.
Tour operators are desperate for us to get booking and you’ll see plenty of decent pricing and incentives.
Heading to Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt will be a good bet for those wanting to get a bargain – with demand for Western Mediterranean resorts high, prices could soon start to rise.
But what can you do to make sure your holiday is safe this year? While a lot of it is out of your hands, here are some ways to try and protect it as – much as possible.
Go for package holidays
Package holiday regulations do allow tour operators to add a surcharge to the cost of holidays already booked although it is extremely rare for this to happen.
Even then, the maximum they can charge is eight per cent of the holiday price.
Anything over that, and the operator has to offer you a full refund instead.
But what is clear is this is probably not the summer to do a DIY break.
Booking an ATOL-protected package holiday comes with lots of consumer protection you simply don’t get if you book each element independently.
Check your travel insurance
Most standard travel insurance policies exclude coverage for disruption tied to acts of war but it is still essential to take out insurance as soon as you book any trip as it offers vital protection in the run up to your trip such as sudden illness or the death of a close relative.
And of course, it provides essential medical cover should you fall ill or are injured on your trip as well as lost or stolen luggage and possessions.
Travel insurer Staysure revealed recently that the cost of a medical ambulance back from Spain this summer averages £37,853 from the Canary Islands, £22,930 from the Balearics and £25,583 from mainland Spain.
So it is still worthwhile buying a policy for medical protection alone.
And while travel insurance won’t cover you if your flight is cancelled, under UK/EU law your airline has a legal duty of care to you and must get you to your destination as quickly as possible.
In most scenarios, getting a refund on a cancelled flight would probably be the worst option as the airline then has no legal duty of care to you.
Read up on your rights should flights be cancelled and be prepared to fight for what you are due.
Opt for easy-to-get-home-from destinations
Many of us won’t want to give up the chance to soak up some Mediterranean sunshine this summer – and why should we?!
But making savvy choices on destinations could help protect your summer break.
If airlines do begin to trim schedules and cancel certain flights, it makes sense to choose airports where there are lots of daily flights.
Now is probably not the time to be booking a holiday to a destination that has just a single flight a week.
Booking holidays to our closest European neighbours – the likes of Spain, Portugal, France and Italy – also mean there are alternative ways to get home should flights be cancelled.
You can also look at other ways to holiday from the UK this summer without going near an airport.
There are lots of cruises that depart from UK ports including Southampton and London Tilbury that will sail you in style to the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords and beyond.
The boss of Brittany Ferries, Christophe Mathieu, has even said: “We make a clear promise to customers.
If you have booked with us, or are considering doing so, we will get you to a beautiful and safe holiday destination this year. Period.
“We will play no part in profiteering. The cost of our holidays rose by inflation earlier this year, and by inflation alone. There will be no further rises in the weeks or months ahead.
“Conflict or other global uncertainty should not be used as the basis for knee-jerk price hikes.”
Be prepared for unexpected expenses
Many travellers were caught short when airlines were forced to cancel flights to or through the Middle East at the start of the war.
For any trip, it always makes sense to have an emergency credit card for any unforeseen expenses that may occur. If possible, apply for one with an interest-free period.
Or look at a currency card like Currensea – this is a card that is linked to your bank account and takes out the payments via direct debit but avoids the high foreign exchange fees and doesn’t need to be pre-loaded like some other currency cards.
An alternative is to look at opening an account with a digital based bank account that you operate through an app on your phone like Revolut or Monzo.