Iran War Pushes European Tourists Toward Plan B

The war in the Middle East and soaring oil prices are starting to change the holiday plans of tourists across Europe. Travelers are increasingly cutting back on long-haul flights and opting for shorter routes, train travel and last-minute bookings.

The shift is being driven by rising ticket prices, more expensive fuel and fears of flight disruption. The conflict with Iran has hit the aviation sector hard and pushed up the price of jet fuel. Air France-KLM expects its fuel bill to rise by $2.4bn this year, while Lufthansa and International Airlines Group (IAG), the owner of British Airways, expect increases of about $2bn.

French tour operator Voyageurs du Monde said bookings fell by about 25% in March and 10% in April. Its chief executive said travelers were becoming more nervous.

Last-minute bookings are also rising. French company Vacances Bleues has reported a 15% increase in such reservations, as travelers wait to see how prices and the security situation develop.

Rail travel is benefiting significantly. Eurostar ticket sales are up 25%, and more Britons are traveling across France by train. At the same time, tourists are increasingly choosing destinations they regard as safe, such as Spain, Portugal and Greece.

(reuters, max)