Travel agents say Western Med availability ‘not an issue’

Demand is continuing to rise for the western Mediterranean due to the Iran conflict but availability is currently “not an issue”, according to the trade.

Agents said the western Mediterranean, Caribbean and US were among the most sought-after destinations for new bookings and rebooked holidays.

 

Spanish Tourist Office UK director Manuel Butler said the country had experienced a “spike in bookings” but stressed: “There is no problem with availability. We’ve more than one million hotel beds in Spain and there are short term rentals and camp sites as well.”

 

He admitted price and availability could be impacted in the longer term by the war’s duration but insisted: “Spanish hotels are not being greedy; they are not taking advantage of the current situation."

 

Many agents said they were encouraging clients to take advantage of strong deals for post-Easter travel in the belief prices would rise after the conflict.

 

Designer Travel managing director Amanda Matthews said bookings last week were less than 10% down year on year, with Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and France the most popular short-haul destinations, and the US and Caribbean topping the bill for long-haul sales.

 

“Long-haul is definitely taking a reduced share of business,” she said, but added: “We’re seeing some amazing deals for early season so we’re converting a lot of lates for travel in April.”

 

She said clients willing to book despite the uncertainty would secure “great bargains”.

 

She added: “Our message to clients is, ‘Don’t wait until it’s all over’. There are great bargains and no problems with availability after Easter.”

 

Barrhead Travel president Jacqueline Dobson also cited “great deals” for April and May, with Tenerife, Palma, Alicante and Lanzarote “standout” destinations. She also named Barbados as particularly popular and growing interest in Japan and Hong Kong.

 

"What’s clear is customers are still prioritising their holidays and are open to a wide range of destinations – good flight connectivity and competitive pricing are helping to support that demand,” she said.

 

Heidi Evans, director, Oasis Travel in Stoke-on-Trent, said new bookings were focused on Europe and the US, with cruises and city breaks popular, but the eastern Mediterranean less in demand.

 

“We have got customers going to Cyprus asking us if it’s safe,” she said.

 

The Travel Network Group said Spain currently accounted for 23% of members’ bookings as momentum continued for destinations outside the Middle East.

 

Commercial director Katharina Peck said members were “cautiously optimistic beyond Easter” but warned availability was “tightening” in Spain, Portugal and Greece, adding: “Peak‑season stock is expected to become more expensive and less flexible.”

 

Holidays to Europe make up 67% of current bookings.

 

On current sales, she added: “Demand for alternative winter‑sun destinations such as the Canaries, Southern Spain, and the Caribbean remains strong. 

 

“Long‑haul sales have also picked up, with customers favouring non‑UAE transit routes, helping lift bookings to Thailand, Bali, the Indian Ocean, and Australia.

 

“Premium demand continues to rise, with increased uptake in 4‑star and above properties as travellers prioritise reassurance and quality. “

 

Iglu chief executive David Gooch reported rising interest in cruises to northern Europe, the fjords, Arctic, Canada, New England and the British Isles, and availability at competitive prices beyond Easter.

 

He said: “What is good to see is holidaymakers remain committed to travelling, but are carefully choosing their destinations and relying on agents to help them pick exactly what’s right for them.

 

“Families in particular are keen to lock in a booking right now, in anticipation of possible price rises."

 

Tailor My Travel director Gopal Shah reported a “huge influx” of enquiries for holidays to destinations such as Barbados and Saint Lucia in the next six months, adding: “I’m switch-selling from a lot of Far East destinations into top-end, affluent Caribbean destinations like Barbados and St Lucia. This will help put the Caribbean back on the map.”

 

But he reported Caribbean prices for April to June were now “almost identical to peak-season rates”.

 

Mercury Holidays chief marketing officer Christian Armond urged agents to encourage clients to lock in their holidays, warning oil price hikes were likely to feed through to higher air fares this year and in 2027.

 

He added: “We have seen a movement to the western Mediterranean although Greece seems to be holding up well. We recently launched a sale to support customers who may be concerned about the rising price of holidays.”

 

Jet2holidays noted confidence was “temporarily impacted” in Cyprus and Turkey but said: “We know confidence in travelling to these destinations will return, and when it does Jet2 is well positioned to capitalise.”

 

Meanwhile, Explora Journeys confirmed that planned winter deployment in the Gulf region has been cancelled.

 

The ship Explora II will instead sail in the western Mediterranean between November this year and March 2027.

 

Details of these new Itineraries will be announced at the end of the month, according to the line.