Tourists return to Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia after attacks

The number of UK holidaymakers visiting Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia this summer is surging, new figures show.

Data released by tour operator Thomas Cook shows tourists are returning to the eastern Mediterranean and north Africa after a series of terror attacks hit the region.

Many are attracted by hotel prices which are lower than those in Spain and improved security.

Thomas Cook said: “The nation’s appetite for sunshine at a fair price fuels our demand to revisit these old favourites.”

Package holiday bookings to Turkey are up 84% year-on-year while demand for Egypt has risen 89%, the firm said in its annual Holiday Report.

The growth is driven by families, who make up 61% of bookings to Turkey and 51% to Egypt.

Demand for Egypt is up despite the long-term ban on UK flights to Sharm el-Sheikh airport over security fears.

Visitor numbers to the Red Sea are now close to where they were in 2015, although they are now centred entirely on Hurghada and Marsa Alam.

Thomas Cook also revealed that holidays in Tunisia are “selling well” and attracting the family market, who account for 44% of trips.

The company became the first to resume Tunisia trips for UK tourists in February after the Foreign Office eased its travel advice.

A June 2015 beach attack in which 30 Britons were killed led to a warning against all but essential visits.

Thomas Cook Airlines initially operated three weekly flights to Hammamet when the destination reopened for UK tourists, but this was increased to 11 to meet public demand.

Chris Mottershead, managing director of Thomas Cook UK, said: “So far this summer, Turkey is the standout destination for British holidaymakers and we are seeing substantial growth in bookings compared to last year.”