Easter Week has concluded with an optimistic outlook for the tourism sector, despite escalating tensions in Iran. The impact of rising fuel prices has already begun to increase travel costs and alter the preferences of Basque travelers. This is according to Jose Cordero, director of the Pangea travel agency in Vitoria, who, in statements to COPE Euskadi, confirms that despite the current context, “people are very eager to travel and nothing stops them”.
“"At the end of February, when the start of the war was announced, that week the only calls we received were from worried people."
Although the outbreak of the conflict caused a “forced halt” in bookings, the situation has gradually normalized. Cordero explains that there hasn't been a “flood of cancellations” as might have been expected. According to the director of Pangea, in recent weeks “contact has been re-established and sales have been closed,” allowing the pace to recover.
Geopolitical instability has, however, led to a significant change in the destinations chosen by Basques, to the detriment of Asia. International trips that included layovers in conflict zones “have been relocated, postponed, or the corresponding refund has been issued.” Instead of canceling their plans, travelers have sought safer alternatives. The continent that has most capitalized on this change is America, “the salvation for people who want to travel.” Specifically, Costa Rica “has now become the international benchmark for requests.”
“"If something happens that complicates the situation, we want to be close to home."
Alongside this trend, there is a growing preference for closer destinations “in case the situation becomes complicated.” Ultimately, “anything but staying home,” Cordero admits. The most direct consequence of the conflict is the increase in travel costs. “We had trips quoted, and we see a big difference,” notes the travel expert. Some airlines try to absorb part of the surcharge to avoid affecting the customer too much, but the rise in fuel has forced flights to be reorganized, and in some cases, companies “see it as unfeasible, because the increase would be almost like issuing a new ticket.”
The increase varies but is constant. “It started with an increase of about 100 euros, now we are already at 300 depending on the destination and the airline,” Cordero details. Most concerning is that this increase can be applied retroactively. Some companies have communicated that if the price of fuel exceeds a threshold they cannot absorb, “it affects flights, even those already issued, which has happened to us.” For a travel agent, “it is very unpleasant news to have to give that information to our clients.”
Despite everything, the forecasts for summer holidays remain “quite positive.” Those who had planned to travel to Asia are not canceling but are looking for a “plan B.” Cordero's recommendation is clear: book “as soon as possible.”
