Spring has officially sprung, and British travellers are planning their summer holidays. However, with all the troubling news over Brexit, many are now avoiding European destinations, preferring to Travel to countries like Tunisia and Turkey instead.

Thomas Cook reported the news on Monday, as they can see the current trends as they happen and while many Brits are still keen on the usual number one destination of Spain, there are definitely fewer European bookings than in previous years.

Brexit causing travel disruption

According to the report by Thomas Cook, repeated delays in Brexit “talks” are definitely having an effect.

People are worried about booking flights to EU countries, especially after easyJet reported earlier this month that travellers are holding back on booking their holidays over the Brexit uncertainty. The whole political mess has basically weakened the demand for air tickets, but also the prices. Some believe if they make a booking now, the flight could later be cancelled, messing up their holiday plans.

Britain was originally due to leave the European Union on 29 March 2019. However, the terms of Theresa May’s Brexit deal have led to further delays.

According to a report by Reuters, a new Brexit deadline has now been agreed with Brussels for 31 October 2019, long after the summer season has ended.

Tunisia and Turkey are popular holiday spots

Thomas Cook reports that the new trend in non-EU bookings is doing Tunisia and Turkey a huge favour. While security concerns had held back bookings for those countries in recent years, things are changing.

The travel firm’s Chief of Tour Operating, Will Waggott, said that while Britain is going through unique political times, people in Britain still want to head to the sunshine for their summer holidays. However, the uncertainty caused by Brexit has caused people to think and delay decisions on where to book their holidays and when.

Thomas Cook surveyed 3,422 British holidaymakers who did say they are still likely to spend their holidays abroad, in fact more than they did last year. 25 percent of those surveyed said a foreign holiday was more of a priority this year than last. Only 8 percent said differently. Waggott confirmed there is a definite shift to non-EU destinations this year, with 48 percent being package holidays booked through Thomas Cook so far this year as well as non-European hotspots.

Spain still in the lead for EU bookings

Despite this, the BBC reports Spain is still the most popular summer destination for British travellers, but Turkey has now reportedly overtaken Greece (previously another popular choice for Brits) in the number of bookings coming in.

Thomas Cook also reports a slight increase in the number of “all-inclusive” holidays being booked by British travellers, who want to tie down their food and drink costs, even if the pound reduces in value even more.
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