More Dutch opting for European vacation due to Middle East war
Rising tensions and military strikes in Iran have prompted many Dutch travelers to shift vacation plans toward Europe and other familiar destinations, travel industry leaders report.
Frank Radstake, director of the Dutch Association of Travel Agents (ANVR), said the recent conflict has made European trips even more popular than usual. “Although vacationing in Europe has always been common among Dutch travelers, this share is now noticeably higher,” he told RTL.
The ANVR also observed a small but clear rise in train travel as an alternative to flying through the Middle East. For those seeking destinations farther afield, Curacao, Cape Verde, and countries in Central and Latin America remain popular, though bookings there are smaller. Radstake warned prices for these trips could rise. “There is more demand across Europe, while supply remains the same.”
Countries affected by travel advisories are losing tourists. Several Middle Eastern nations have been assigned an orange travel code—meaning only essential travel is advised—while traditional transit hubs such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates face disruptions, limiting connections to Asia, Oceania, and parts of Africa. Radstake noted, “We already see fewer bookings to Asia.”
Even countries with predominantly yellow advisories have seen caution among travelers after incidents such as an Iranian drone strike on a British military base in Cyprus and intercepted missiles over Turkey.
Travelers are responding differently. Some are seeking alternative flight routes despite higher costs, others are reportedly postponing trips by six months to a year, and some are rebooking to currently popular destinations like the Canaries or Cape Verde. “People are looking a few weeks ahead to determine if a trip can proceed safely. If not, alternatives are offered,” Radstake said.
TUI also reported that travelers are prioritizing known and secure destinations. Within Europe, Spain and Greece are most popular, while long-haul trips favor the ABC islands or the Dominican Republic.
Other travel agencies have noticed similar patterns. Sunweb reported a surge in Southern European bookings, especially Portugal, Spain, and Greece, as travelers choose shorter trips to familiar locations.
Corendon said bookings for Curacao and Bonaire rose 50 percent from the previous month, while interest in Egypt and Turkey has declined. Rising fuel costs have not yet affected package prices because flights were purchased in advance, though long-term tensions could reportedly change that.
