Danish travellers shift holiday plans amid Middle East conflict

Danish holidaymakers are altering their travel plans for Easter and summer trips due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, according to major tour operators Tui and Spies.

Travel agencies report a clear shift toward familiar European destinations, with fewer bookings to the eastern Mediterranean. “We’ve seen this in past crises—people still want to travel but choose well-known, classic destinations rather than experimenting,” said Sofie Lund, press chief at Spies.

Mikkel Hansen, communications chief at Tui, confirmed the trend, noting that while some Danes are delaying bookings, most are seeking alternatives, particularly in western Europe. “It’s a definite tendency,” he said.

The changes follow a broader European pattern, with The Guardian reporting that travellers are avoiding the eastern Mediterranean in favour of other regions. Spies has observed a decline in trips to the Middle East, including stopovers in Doha and Dubai, as well as initial hesitation toward Cyprus, Egypt, and Turkey—though demand for those destinations has since rebounded.

Surge in bookings for Italy, Croatia, and Spain

Tui’s data for June, July, and August shows a 34% increase in bookings to Croatia compared to the same period last year, along with a 33% rise for Mallorca and over 80% for Italy. Portugal has seen a 13% uptick. Meanwhile, Cyprus bookings have dropped by around 20%.

Primo Tours, which primarily sells European trips, echoed the trend. “Right now, we’re seeing increased demand for familiar destinations like Crete, Mallorca, and Calabria in southern Italy,” said PR chief Kasper Tangvig.

Fuel price hikes may impact autumn travel

While current fuel costs have been locked in through existing agreements between tour operators and airlines, future price rises could affect autumn travel if the conflict persists, according to Jacob Pedersen, an aviation industry analyst at Sydbank.

“The price of fuel has surged significantly. Travellers won’t feel the impact immediately, but if the war continues, rebooking costs will reflect that,” Pedersen said.

Despite the shifts, Greece remains a top choice. “People know it really well,” Hansen noted, while Lund added that Danes continue to book trips to Crete and Rhodes without hesitation.

Both Tui and Spies described the reaction as typical for Danish travellers, who adjust quickly to crises but also return to normal patterns once stability resumes.