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Travel bookings are on the decline due to the war in the Middle East. Customers demand direct flights and prioritize safe destinations. This is a blow to travel agencies, who are concerned about the consequences of a prolonged conflict.
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With Easter holidays approaching and summer vacations in three months, the war in the Middle East is dampening travel desires. “There’s this worry about knowing which places are safe and which places you risk something,” said a French tourist.
At a travel agency in Lille, there have been no cancellations yet. However, customers are now demanding direct flights without layovers, avoiding places like Dubai (United Arab Emirates) and Qatar for their long-haul journeys. Safe destinations are also preferred. “There’s a shift towards Spain, Italy, Portugal. Turkey and Egypt are not being chosen. Even Greece is being overlooked, as there is some confusion, so sometimes we’re also told not to go to Greece,” noted Marine Codeville, a travel advisor.
For travel companies, the risk lies in a protracted conflict. The entire tourism sector could suffer as a result. “We realize that we need to sell these stocks by all means, and the summer, well, is not shaping up at all,” observed Marc Delannoy, vice-president of Travel Companies in Hauts-de-France Normandy.
Another uncertainty is the fluctuation of jet fuel prices. At Lesquin Airport (Nord), airfares have already increased. Some flights have been cancelled as they were deemed unprofitable. Volotea airline has already cancelled around thirty flights from Lille (Nord).
