British holidaymakers are increasingly reconsidering their Easter travel plans, with many opting to avoid Dubai amid rising tensions in neighbouring Iran. Travel firms say the conflict has prompted a surge in demand for what customers see as safer, more familiar destinations.
Air travel across the Middle East has been significantly disrupted, with warnings issued against visiting large parts of the region, including the United Arab Emirates. As a result, bookings to destinations in and around the Middle East have slowed sharply, with countries such as Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt also seeing reduced demand.
In contrast, travel companies report a noticeable rise in bookings to destinations like Portugal, Italy and Spain, as well as long-haul options including the Caribbean, Mauritius and the United States. Some airports say flights to these locations are filling up faster than they did at the same time last year.
British Airways has suspended several routes to the Middle East until June, citing ongoing uncertainty and instability in the region’s airspace. The airline confirmed it has temporarily halted flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Tel Aviv and Amman until at least 31 May.
Industry experts warn that availability could become an issue as travellers rush to rebook cancelled trips or secure alternatives. Many are now seeking routes that avoid passing through the Middle East altogether.
Neil Swanson, managing director of TUI UK and Ireland, said customers are choosing “reassuring alternatives” that are easy to reach. He noted growing interest in destinations such as Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cape Verde, alongside strong demand for Caribbean hotspots including the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, as well as Phuket in Thailand and Goa in India.
For some travellers, however, changing plans has not been straightforward. Natalie Kimber, 43, from Portsmouth, said she no longer feels comfortable travelling to Dubai in July but is unable to switch destinations without financial penalties, as her flight is still scheduled to operate. She says cancelling now would cost her and her partner £700, leaving them waiting for the airline to make the next move.
Recent data highlights the shift in travel patterns. Bookings to Portugal rose by 42% in the two weeks leading up to 13 March, according to Thomas Cook, with the Balearic Islands and Canary Islands also seeing significant increases. Kuoni reported that bookings to the Caribbean are up by 20% compared to last year, while demand for European destinations has risen by 16%, including a sharp increase for Italy.
Online search trends also point to changing preferences. Interest in destinations such as the Dominican Republic, Antigua, Cape Verde and Italy’s Tuscany region has more than doubled in early March compared to the previous period.
Meanwhile, some traditionally popular destinations are experiencing a slowdown. Travel firms say demand for trips to Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and Egypt has weakened since the escalation of the conflict. While there are no blanket bans on travel to these countries, official advice highlights potential security risks and ongoing disruption.
Despite the current uncertainty, industry leaders remain optimistic about the long-term outlook. The past year saw record levels of air travel, and many expect 2026 to surpass those figures. Airports report that flights, particularly to transatlantic destinations, are already nearing capacity for the Easter period.
However, rising oil and jet fuel prices—linked to the broader conflict—are beginning to push up airfares. Several international airlines have indicated that ticket prices may increase in response, although some carriers say they have secured fuel supplies in advance to cushion short-term impacts.
For now, travel experts say cost and peace of mind are shaping decisions. Many holidaymakers are prioritising destinations that offer both affordability and distance from geopolitical tensions, even as the industry adapts to yet another period of disruption.