Jamaica, Egypt and the Domincan Republic have emerged as the top destinations for holidaymakers avoiding Mexico after the outbreak of swine flu, numbers from one of Europe’s largest travel companies show.
By Amy Wilson
Last Updated: 9:10AM BST 11 May 2009
Mexico loses out to Jamaica after swine flu outbreak
The number of people booking long-haul trips has increased despite the outbreak of swine flu. Photo: GETTY
Demand for long-haul holidays has increased in recent weeks despite news of the disease, which hit shares of holiday companies and airlines when it first came to light last month.
Bookings to Jamaica are up 30pc, to Egypt by 23pc and to the Dominican Republic by 19pc in the last two weeks, according to TUI Travel, the owner of Thomson holidays and Europe’s biggest tour operator.
Of the 2,500 TUI customers who were in Mexico when the swine flu outbreak started, only 10pc accepted the offer of being brought home early, the company said.
TUI said the strong euro is continuing to hurt demand for holidays in Europe, with the proportion of bookings to non-euro countries up to 32pc from 29pc. Egypt and Turkey have been the biggest beneficiaries.
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