Travel abroad is currently uncertain – even with the recent two–week ceasefire agreement between the US, Israel and Iran.
Popular destinations like Cyprus and Turkey have found themselves swept up in the conflict, despite not being directly involved.
In the case of Cyprus, its location in the far eastern Mediterranean, just 100 miles from the coast of Lebanon and Syria in the Middle East, means it is quite close to the ongoing war involving Iran, the US and Israel.
A British RAF base on the island, RAF Akrotiri, was struck by a drone launched by a pro–Iranian militia last month and at one point, Britons were even cancelling their trips to the holiday hotspot despite there being no travel advisories against going there.
Turkey on the other hand currently has an FCDO warning against all travel to parts of the country – specifically within 10km of the border with Syria ‘due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism’.
But even with continuing conflict nearby, drone attacks and travel warnings, it seems British holidaymakers can’t get enough of the two beloved sunny locations.
Exclusive data revealed to the Daily Mail by holiday booking platform On the Beach shows demand for trips to Turkey and Cyprus has actually increased.
Over the past few weeks the destinations seem to have made a strong comeback.
Despite being swept up in the ongoing conflict in one way or another, Turkey and Cyprus have seen a huge increase in bookings from British holidaymakers
Bookings for Turkey, loved for its crystal clear waters and affordable luxury, have jumped by 57 per cent
Cyprus has seen the largest increase of the two – a whopping 88 per cent surge.
Meanwhile bookings for Turkey, loved for its crystal clear waters and affordable luxury, have jumped by 57 per cent.
In fact, the two spots are two of the fastest–growing destinations with UK travellers at the moment.
Overall, they rank high compared to other locations – Turkey places as the third most–booked destination this year, beaten by Spain and the Canary Islands.
Cyprus is currently sitting just outside of the top 10 in 12th place but both are continuing to climb and gain momentum as more holidaymakers book their trips.
Caspar Nelson, holiday expert at On the Beach puts the shift down to Britons seeking ‘great value in the sun’.
He says, ‘Turkey and Cyprus are showing great bouncebackability and making a strong return as Brits look for great value in the sun.’
Both Turkey and Cyprus boast sandy beaches, great local cuisine and lots of all inclusive resorts that are perfect for family breaks and adult–only trips.
But Cyprus has seen the largest increase of the two – a whopping 88 per cent surge
Caspar adds, ‘The all–inclusive offering available at both destinations is what’s really driving demand.
‘In a world where everyday costs are rising, holidaymakers love being able to lock in their price upfront and then fully switch off, knowing all their food, drinks and entertainment are covered.
‘It means no unexpected spending while you’re away, just great weather, great hotels and total peace of mind, which is exactly what people are looking for right now.’
Holidaymakers looking for an affordable trip can bag a seven–night all–inclusive holiday stay in Antalya in May, with return flights from London Gatwick for just £315 per person with On the Beach.
Or if Cyprus is your destination of choice, an all–inclusive stay for seven nights at a four–star hotel in Cyprus in May costs just £450 per person.
It’s a stark change from the Easter holidays which saw hotel bookings in Cyprus down 40 percent.
Daily cancellation rates for short–term rentals in Cyprus shot up from around 15 per cent before the conflict to as high as 100 per cent in the days after, according to data from US–based AirDNA, which tracks such bookings.
That figure has since dropped, but remained around 45 per cent by March 21. Greece and Turkey saw slight rises in cancellation rates, too.
Both Turkey and Cyprus boast sandy beaches, great local cuisine and lots of all inclusive resorts that are perfect for family breaks and adult–only trips
Cyprus’ Hoteliers Association saw a near 40 per cent drop in March bookings and a similar reduction in April, according to the association’s director–general, Christos Angelides.
Cyprus, which welcomed four million international visitors in 2025, relies heavily on tourism from the UK, with British travellers making up around a third of arrivals.
Muskita Hotels, which operates three hotels in Cyprus, told the Financial Times it had seen a wave of cancellations for holidays in March and April, as well as a steep slowdown in bookings for the rest of 2026.
Thanos Hotels and Resorts, which runs four hotels in Cyprus, also experienced a sudden wave of cancellations.
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