Package holiday prices vary by destination due to conflicts
Family package holidays to Middle East destinations are up to 25% cheaper this summer due to conflict, while prices rise for European destinations but fall for trips outside Europe due to the Iran conflict.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Family package holidays to Middle Eastern destinations such as Dubai and Egypt are up to 25 percent cheaper this summer compared to last year, as tour operators try to tempt back customers put off by regional conflicts. At the same time, the cost of package deals to popular European spots like Spain, Portugal and Greece has risen by up to five percent. The diverging trends are largely driven by the conflict in the Middle East, which has pushed up demand for European holidays while making destinations in the affected region less attractive.
Families are making very different choices this year. One family told the BBC they had to change their plans after losing a deposit on a trip to Dubai due to the Middle East troubles. Another family said their planned trip to Australia more than trebled in price, so they switched to Egypt, which they found to be a good all-inclusive option at a reasonable cost. Travel agents report that after a quiet spring, the past few weeks have seen a flurry of bookings, with savings of up to 200 pounds per booking available.
However, not everyone can take advantage of the discounts. The Goodwin family said a last-minute discount was still not enough to make a holiday affordable this year, with one member stating: "It's either you get food or you get a holiday really, and food's more important than going away." For a family of four, a seven-night stay in Spain this summer costs an extra 160 pounds compared to last year, while Greece adds 250 pounds. In contrast, Egypt is 400 pounds cheaper than last summer.
The changes have been attributed to the war in Iran and broader Middle East instability, which have made travellers wary of booking trips to the region. Tour operators have responded by cutting prices to lure customers back, while European destinations have seen price increases as demand shifts. The overall picture is one of a market in flux, with families either hunting for bargains, paying more, or staying at home.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One |
|---|---|
| Package holiday prices for non-European destinations have fallen while European destinations have risen, attributed to the Middle East conflict. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This broadcast led with a political story about Nigel Farage before turning to the holiday price report. The holiday segment focused on the human impact, using interviews with families who changed plans or could not afford a trip. The tone was neutral but highlighted the financial strain on families, with a clear contrast between cheaper Middle East deals and more expensive European options.
- “family package holidays to destinations like Dubai and Egypt are up to 25 percent cheaper this summer Compared to last year as tour operators are trying to tempt people back By who were put off by the conflict in the Middle East”
- “the cost of package deals to Spain Portugal and Greece are up to five percent higher”
- “It's either you get food or you get a holiday really and foods more important than go away”
This broadcast began with a weather segment before moving to the holiday price story. The report framed the price changes as being 'largely driven by the war in Iran' rather than the broader Middle East conflict. It included the same family interviews and statistics, but the opening line explicitly linked the price falls for trips outside Europe to the Iran war, giving a slightly more geopolitical angle.
- “The price of package holiday deals for trips outside Europe has fallen this year But the cost of visits the continent has risen figures reveal The changes were largely driven by the war in Iran”
- “the conflict in the Middle East has pushed prices up for European Destinations”
- “Egypt is 400 pounds cheaper this summer compared to last year”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.