Arabic version: أسعار عطلات العائلات تنخفض في الإمارات ومصر هذا الصيف

Family package holidays to destinations like Dubai and Egypt are cheaper this summer than last as tour operators cut prices to tempt people back. According to BBC News, the war in Iran has put many UK holidaymakers off travelling to countries near to the conflict, prompting a shift towards European destinations.

Prices for an average all-inclusive seven-night family stay in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have dropped by 25% this August compared with last. Similarly, holidays to Egypt have seen an 8% reduction, according to TravelSupermarket data. In contrast, package deals to popular European destinations such as Spain, Portugal, and Greece have increased by 3-5%.

Travelers like Tim and Natalie Harris from Swansea canceled their planned trip to Dubai due to the conflict, opting instead for a £6,400 all-inclusive package in Mexico. Last month, the Foreign Office dropped its advice against travelling to Dubai after the US and Iran reached an agreement to stop the war but warned that the situation remains unpredictable in the region.

Tour operators have also reduced prices for other destinations, with Morocco down 6.5%, Tunisia down 2.5%, and Turkey 1.6% cheaper than last summer. Mollie Hitchen, assistant manager of Marple Travel Hyde, noted that customers are more nervous this year about going anywhere near the Middle East due to potential fuel shortages and the ongoing conflict.

Despite the rising costs of European holidays, the price of hiring a car has dropped across popular destinations, providing some relief for travelers. Richard Slater, managing director of Henbury Travel Limited, reported a surge in bookings since the US and Iran signed a ceasefire agreement, indicating a shift towards shorter holidays and alternative destinations like Montenegro, Malta, and Madeira for better value.