Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
Or call 0345 90 80 161
24 March 2016 08:18
Wild seashore in Fuerteventura
British tourists' eyes are being opened to the delights of the Canaries and Balearics as a result of recent terror events overseas, Thomas Cook reports.
The holiday business says many Brits are opting for different destinations instead of countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey.
They are also leaving holiday bookings much later to judge the climate of their original-choice countries, Thomas Cook says.
The biggest winners
UK holidaymakers looking for more peaceful destinations are choosing the following alternatives instead, according to the travel firm:
• Canaries: Tenerife is the biggest of these Spanish-owned islands, famed for their white, sandy beaches
• the Balearics: travellers can enjoy wild seashores aplenty here, including those in the heavenly Fuerteventura
• Cuba: this quaint Caribbean island is becoming increasingly popular since it started opening up to the West with Old Havana a particular treasure trove for architecture buffs
• mainland Spain
• the US
• the western Mediterranean
Playing it safe
Should the worst happen and holidays are cancelled then travellers can claim money back on their travel insurance.
The Government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office issues advice to holidaymakers and travel firms.
Playing safe by taking out cover can prevent a big dent to people's finances. Of course, such insurance also covers delayed flights, lost luggage and stolen possessions.
Thomas Cook figures
Thomas Cook, which calls the current market "volatile", reports that two in every five summer trips have so far been sold - 2% down on 2015.
It says it is reaping dividends from transferring routes away from Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey and other terrorism-hit countries.
The company suffered a 3% dip in winter bookings compared with last year, although it still sold nine out of 10 holidays.
19 March 2019
Looking for adventure? Create your perfect Scandinavian weekend with these alternative city break ideas.
[more...]
Lower your blood pressure with these fresh, healthy foods you can add to your diet.
02 March 2019
A Flybe flight was forced to abort take-off due to the cabin filling with "smoke" while it was accelerating along the runway at Exeter Airport.
01 March 2019
Holidaymakers will soon be able to take advantage of the first direct flight from London to Scotland's Western Isles after Loganair announced three new routes.
28 February 2019
Over one in five women in the UK wrongly think a smear test can detect ovarian cancer, new research has revealed.
27 February 2019
One in 10 UK adults over the age of 40 is living with Type 2 diabetes, new analysis suggests - but the real figure could be much higher.
26 February 2019
British Airways has revealed the second of its series of retro liveries being recreated as part of the airline's 100th birthday celebrations.
23 February 2019
The price of a prescription in England is set to rise again, the Government has announced, in a move some campaigners have called disappointing.
22 February 2019
Just half an hour of exercise every morning could be as effective as drugs at lowering daily blood pressure, research suggests.
21 February 2019
A British man accidentally used the wrong passport to fly from Prague to the UK, leaving his friend stranded in the Czech capital.
19 February 2019
Hundreds of passengers have had their travel plans cancelled following the collapse of airline flybmi.
16 February 2019
Holidaymakers were left fuming after a "lack of clarity" over Brexit led a Romanian airline to cancel flights from Liverpool's John Lennon Airport.