Operators and agents contend with complex Easter outlook

Operators and agents appear set for a complex Easter as increasing numbers of customers seek to change holiday plans while those due to travel via the Gulf require rebooking or refunds.

Hopes of a speedy resolution to the war have diminished and, with US marines on the way to the Gulf by sea from Japan and not expected to arrive until the start of the holiday, it seems likely that missile and drone attacks will continue over Easter.

Blue Bay Travel chief Alistair Rowland said “most” customers booked to fly via the UAE “are opting for a refund”, adding: “Loads want to cancel in April, May and June.”

Association of Atol Companies advisor Alan Bowen agreed “most” booked via the Gulf “want their money back”.

But he added: “Egypt, Turkey, Cyprus are getting close to 100% cancellations [for Easter]. Cyprus is probably OK, but people see maps of the region every day.”

Dan Salmon, managing director of Chelmsford-based Never A Wasted Journey, said: “The majority of clients travelling to the UAE are cancelling, even with travel a month away. Confidence is low and has had a knock-on effect on other destinations such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

“For Easter, it’s proving difficult to switch people to other destinations. The Caribbean is so busy and everything is super expensive.”

Advantage Travel Partnership commercial director John Sullivan said: “Reading the market is difficult given the volume of cancellations and rebookings.

However, demand has softened. “We’re seeing a clear shift in travel patterns. The western Med is the standout, [and] we’ve seen a significant late spike in demand for the Caribbean. Customers are enquiring but holding off committing.”

Tui UK and Ireland managing director Neil Swanson reported “some people feeling uncertain about upcoming travel”, saying: “We’re helping customers find different flight options or destinations.”

He insisted: “This isn’t translating into customers abandoning holidays. We’re seeing cancellations, [but] these are outweighed by customers choosing to amend their plans – switching dates, choosing a route that avoids the region or selecting a different destination.”

Speaking on BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, Hays Travel chair Dame Irene Hays said: “Bookings are down [and] we have an increase in people wanting to change their holiday or perhaps cancel.

“Anything transiting east, we have a problem with capacity. But we have lots of capacity available to the west.”