Holidaymakers to be charged 20% ‘safety tax’ for trips to ISIS-free countries

You may have to rethink your holiday plans, Brits…

Beach Tunisia

by Hayley Kadrou |
Published on

As the risk remains high in countries such as Tunisia, Egypt and Turkey, the demand from Brits wanting to flee to ‘safe’ countries for a sun-drenched escape has seen a dramatic rise.

Demands for breaks in Spain, Portugal and Thailand have sky rocketed this summer – meaning the prices have had to jump up, too.

Many of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations have a 20 per cent rise in cost due to anxiety around ISIS-related terrorism, in what is being deemed as the ‘safety tax'.

Spain and Portugal has seen as much as a 30 per cent increase in rates, according to figures from GFK – a firm explores holiday packages in Britain.

Elsewhere, the number of people visiting Egypt has decreased by a whopping 46 per cent between the months January and March this year.

The previously popular holiday destinations are losing favour among those planning a getaway, thanks to attacks carried out by Islamic State in the countries.

One example include the horrific attack carried out la=ast summer in which 38 people where killed by a gunman on a Tunisian beach and holiday resort, including 15 Britons.

This led to 90 per cent cut in the number of British visitors to the North African country. Currently, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) warned people not to visit the spot unless ‘essential,’ meaning travel insurance isn’t valid there.

But as these tourists influx popular spots such as Majorca, there simply isn’t space to house them all. And the lucky few who secure themselves a hotel or villa will face an estimated 20 per cent safety tax thanks to them being regarded as ‘low risk.’

Sean Tipton from Abta (the leading association of travel agents and tour operators) warns that holidays to Spain will be sold out very shortly.

You may also wish to read:

Majorca and Ibiza resorts issue warning as tourists shun terrorist hotspots

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us