The cost of ‘safe holiday cost will soar

Experts predict fearful Brits will avoid countries with potential for terrorist attacks and unrest

HOLIDAYS to Spain, Italy and other “safe destinations” are set to soar in price as Brits seek out deals in places they think are immune to terrorist attacks and civil unrest.

Experts have warned the latest disorder in Turkey that saw the armed forces temporarily take control of the country will put many tourists off travelling there.

It’s predicted the shift in demand will result in higher prices for holidays in destinations perceived as less risky.

Frank Brehany, of watchdog HolidayTravelWatch, said: “There has already been a 40% drop in bookings to Turkey this year and a sea change in terms of where people are booking for their holidays.

“You can draw a line from Turkey right across north Africa where you can see the affects of terrorism and, to a lesser extent, the refugee crisis.

“The Americans have issued a travel warning about Turkey and the FCO have also had their say.

“People are having to make tough decisions about where they are going to go on holiday, if at all.”

He added: “Holidaymakers will have to contend with higher prices in places like Spain, with hotels cashing in on greater demand.

“But they need to be careful, because many people will just keep their money in their wallets.

“The entire industry is facing a rollercoaster future.”

More than 2.5 million Brits visit Turkey each year. However, along with Tunisia and Egypt, it is no longer considered safe by many holidaymakers.

Its reputation as a family-friendly destination took another dent yesterday when the Foreign Office urged tourists to “stay indoors” and “avoid public places” while some airlines cancelled flights to and from the country.

One of those was the Turkish Airlines flight from Edinburgh to Istanbul which was supposed to take off at 10.45am yesterday.

As a result of its cancellation dozens of stranded passengers queued at the airline’s information desk as they awaited news of alternative travel plans.

Many were told they would have to wait until Monday before they could fly, while others, who were due to catch connections in Istanbul, were placed on flights to London.

Neil Pudney, 35, an aerospace engineer from Kirkcaldy, Fife, was due to fly to Jakarta via Istanbul ahead of a five-week business trip.

He said the cancellation would “significantly impact” his business.

He explained: “I found out the flight had been cancelled last night, but I thought it was best to come to the airport.

“I’ve been told to come back on Monday when, hopefully, I’ll fly to Istanbul. I was due to catch a connecting flight to Jakarta for a business trip. I had meetings lined-up with important clients, but the delay is now going to have a significant impact on business and the trip will be cut short.”

The dad-of-three said he had spoken to colleagues who are stranded in Istanbul.

“They’ve been posting messages on Facebook,” he said. “They said the atmosphere at Ataturk Airport was terrifying, with loads of armed soldiers running around both inside the airport and airside.

“At one point, he said, there was a deafening noise that caused all the windows to shake. There were people screaming, panicking.

“Fortunately it was just a jet flying overhead, but I think people are living in fear just now.”

Les and Diane Howes, of Dunfermline, Fife, were also booked on the Turkish Airlines flight and were due to fly to Baku from Istanbul.

They said they were more worried about their friends who are currently on holiday in Turkey than their cancelled flight.

Diane, 54, a lecturer at Fife College, said: “We spoke to our friends on FaceTime last night and again this morning. They said they’ve been told to stay inside the hotel and not to go out. They were going to come home early but they’ve now decided to stay. It’s very worrying.”

British Airways cancelled all flights to Turkey yesterday but added it was keeping the situation under review.

Meanwhile low cost airline easyJet said it did not expect any changes to its schedule.

A spokeswoman for Thomas Cook, which offers charter flights to Turkey, said: “There is no indication that guests in the coastal resorts are affected.

“However, as a precautionary measure, we advise our customers to stay in their hotels until further notice.

“Given the circumstances, we are offering free amendments and cancellations for all customers due to fly to Turkey this weekend.”

A spokesman for travel trade body ABTA said: “The vast majority of British travellers to Turkey will fly directly to the beach resorts on Turkey’s south coast which are hundreds of miles away from Istanbul and the capital Ankara.

“ABTA estimates there are currently 50,000 people on holiday with its members in Turkey. There is no indication that guests in the coastal resorts are affected.”