Agents and operators reported the war in Ukraine had yet to impact travel outside the region this week despite widespread shock at Russia’s invasion, but inbound sector leaders warned of an inevitable effect on demand.
Miles Morgan Travel chairman Miles Morgan noted “an instant nervous reaction” after Russia invaded on Thursday last week, saying: “Sales dipped then rose again on Saturday. A lot of people are appalled by what has happened and are taking stock. But February was the best in our history.”
Tivoli Travel director Jo Richards reported having to reassure clients booked to eastern Europe, saying: “A couple going to Prague asked if anything had changed. Another was hesitant. We tell clients holidays won’t go ahead if it’s not safe.”
Deben Travel owner Lee Hunt noted “some nervousness” among customers, saying: “We had a lady looking to go to Cyprus who was concerned. Another was concerned about a city break to Warsaw, and we had a customer cancel a cruise to Scandinavia and Russia in May.”
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However, Polka Dot Travel director Mark Johnson said the market remained “buoyant”.
Kelly Cookes, Advantage Travel Partnership leisure director, agreed saying: “It’s too early to notice much of an impact on sales. Depending on the destination, customers are asking about flexibility.”
Intrepid Travel EMEA managing director Zina Bencheikh also reported no impact on bookings. The operator is not currently operating tours to Ukraine or Russia.
Newmarket Holidays chief executive Niel Alobaidi noted “healthy levels of bookings” but “a definite focus on western Europe” and said: “Customer confidence is quite delicate.”
A Jet2 spokesman insisted: “Customer confidence remains strong.” Tui agreed. A spokeswoman said: “We don’t see any changes in booking behaviour. Demand remains very high.”
Inbound leaders reported no immediate impact but expressed concern. UKinbound chief executive Joss Croft described the war as “devastating” and Tom Jenkins, chief executive of European tourism association Etoa, said: “The longer it goes on and the more bloody it gets, the more it’s going to cause problems.”
A senior industry source warned: “It’s going to have an impact at some point.” A second agreed: “If there are millions of refugees it could be a very different picture.”
An airline source told Travel Weekly: “The big concern is the impact on inbound traffic to Europe. It will have an impact. It’s a question of how big.”
Tour operators and cruise lines rushed to change itineraries. Riviera Travel withdrew all tours to Russia “for the foreseeable future”. Viking Cruises cancelled Kyiv, Black Sea and Bucharest itineraries this year and cancelled all operations in Russia this year. MSC Cruises suspended all summer St Petersburg calls.
P&O Cruises, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International amended Baltic itineraries. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said it would remove St Petersburg from its sailings.
Explore cancelled 2022 Ukraine tours and Russian tours to the end of June as the Foreign Office advised against all travel to Russia, while Regent Holidays offered customers booked to Ukraine, Russia, Belarus or Moldova up to May 31 the chance to cancel or reschedule.
Tui Group’s largest shareholder, Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov, was sanctioned by the EU. Tui has since confirmed he has quit the company’s supervisory board.
Panache Cruises has donated £1,000 to the British Red Cross to support humanitarian aid to Ukrainian families and pledged to donate £25 for each river cruise and £50 for each ocean cruise booked this month.