Experts have warned that travelling to other destinations could soon become more expensive
The cost of going on holiday could soon rise if the war in the Middle East continues, travel experts have warned.
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, with thousands of flights having already been cancelled.
But experts have warned that travelling to other destinations could soon become more expensive, due to rising jet fuel prices and higher demand for safer alternative locations.
The BBC reports that the north-west European jet fuel price has risen to $1,500 per tonne, compared to $830 per tonne before the air strikes on Iran.
However, whether there is a knock-on effect on your holiday all depend on how long the Middle East conflict goes on for.
Independent travel expert Jane Hawkes told the Mirror: “The conflict in the Middle East will likely affect holiday prices even if you’re travelling somewhere completely different.
“One of the biggest knock-on effects is fuel as when oil prices rise, airlines face higher operating costs and that filters in turn into the price of flights.
“At the same time, if passengers start avoiding certain regions because of safety concerns, demand could shift towards destinations seen as more stable.
“That can push up prices for those ‘safer’ preferred hotspots as hotels and flights fill up more quickly.”
Andrea Platania from Transfeero also said the cost of rerouting flights from the Middle East is also likely to push up prices.
She said: “Longer routes burn more fuel and jet fuel itself has climbed due to oil price volatility, meaning airlines are likely to pass at least some of those costs on to travellers via higher ticket prices.”
The cost of hotels, hire cars and excursions may also be affected, due to higher demand and the potential for fuel costs to rise.
The RAC this week reported that petrol had increased by 3p to 136p a litre since Saturday, while diesel is up by 5p to 147p a litre.
Ms Platania added: “Hotels in ‘safe’ destinations haven’t seen as dramatic a shift yet, but the knock‑on effects of higher transportation costs and more cautious booking behaviour from travellers could put near‑term upward pressure on room rates and even travel packages.
“Increased demand for non‑conflict zones, combined with limited flight availability, can push prices up locally.
“On the ground, petrol and energy price volatility linked to geopolitical risk is likely to ripple through the wider travel ecosystem, from car hire to tours and excursions.”
Richard Young, CEO of holiday company selfcatering.co.uk, told the Mirror that the price of staycations may also rise as travellers may become more risk-averse.
He said: “Global uncertainty and rising fuel prices can quickly influence how people plan their holidays, and when overseas trips become more expensive and potentially dangerous, many start looking closer to home.
“We saw this during the pandemic, periods of airline disruption and previous fuel price spikes, and at times like this interest in self catering breaks tends to rise as they offer families a chance to enjoy a proper getaway with more space and flexibility, without the stress, anxiety, rising costs and unpredictability of travelling abroad.
”Yorkshire Dales and Norfolk – not always at the top of people’s list, but likely to see a spike as people venture out of the hot spots.
”Northumberland always popular (Alnwick, Bamburgh), Devon popular and crowded (Salcombe, Dartmouth), Cotswolds (expensive anyway but will likely see a further increase), anywhere around the Lakes and Highland hot spots such as Braemar, Fort William and Inverness.”
