Hopes for a summer of travel unhindered by fear of terrorism have been dashed by British government warnings against travel to Kenya and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the US, Australian and New Zealand governments are urging their citizens to be on their guard in south-east Asia, particularly in Malaysia - and the Foreign Office says it is monitoring the situation there.
After a month in which visitor numbers to many countries rose to pre-Iraq-war levels, travel companies have once again had to cancel trips and rush tourists home.
'I don't think we were under any illusion that the terrorist threat would disappear after the Iraqi conflict,' said a spokeswoman for the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta). 'The travel industry has to adapt to deal with the fact that this is going to happen at different times and in different countries.'
The Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to Saudi Arabia after last Monday's bombings in Riyadh, which killed at least 34 including two Britons. On Thursday the same warning was applied to Kenya and British airline flights there were suspended following an intelligence warning of a specific terrorist threat. British Airways also suspended direct flights to Saudi Arabia, and is now flying via Larnaca, Cyprus, adding an hour to journey times.
The 1,200 tourists in Kenya with Abta-bonded companies are being brought home by a number of different routes. Travellers booked for departure to Kenya up to and including 23 May will be offered their money back, a different holiday or the choice of travelling at a later date. Those booked to travel to Kenya after this date are being advised to keep in contact with their tour operators as a review of the situation is due early next week.
Abta said the increase in terrorist attacks was exacerbating a trend for holidaymakers to book later, taking a wait-and-see attitude before committing themselves. 'The Kenya attack may have a knock-on effect on fear of travel to other countries in the same region, but holidaymakers should realise that not all African countries are tarred with the same brush,' added the spokeswoman.
Kenyan specialist Somak Holidays pointed out that while some of its customers had asked to come home immediately, many more were adamant that they wanted to fly there despite the government warning. 'If people still want to go after reading the FO advice they can sign a disclaimer and we will take them,' a spokesman said.
Sue Biggs, managing director of long-haul specialist Kuoni, is bullish. 'Bookings in the last week have been above last year's levels, just proving how resilient and sensible the British tourist is. Those who have tasted the delights of long-haul will want to repeat that so I don't feel dismal about prospects at all.'
There are a number of low-priced holidays on offer to lure tourists back. The Cheapflights.co.uk website has return flights to Amman, Jordan, for £248, and to Cairo for £165 (both prices include taxes). A two-star week's sun in Turkey costs £139 with MyTravel including flights, while a week's gulet cruise costs £169 with Thomas Cook, saving £420.
Last week tour operators claimed business to most countries in and bordering the Middle East was 'turning the corner'. Package holiday bookings to the United Arab Emirates were up 29 per cent in April, year-on-year. Turkey saw a 3 per cent increase in the same month.
Adventure holiday specialist Travelbag Adventures reported a 'significant increase' in bookings to Egypt and Morocco. Managing director Mark Wright said he was confident about the future. 'We have turned the corner in terms of the fear of the Middle East. We are getting Egypt back up and Morocco,' he said.
The Foreign Office has set up an advice helpline for travel to Kenya: 020 7008 0000. For further travel advice go to the website www.fco.gov.uk or call 0870 606 0290.
