Multicom booking data confirms shift from eastern to western Mediterranean

Bristol-based travel software specialist Multicom has revealed its booking data has confirmed a shift in bookings away from the east to western Mediterranean destinations. The firm, which was recently acquired by Swedish firm Paxport, says sales to destination in eastern Mediterranean are 40% down year-on-year in the peak selling month of January.

Bristol-based travel software specialist Multicom has revealed its booking data has confirmed a shift in bookings away from the east to western Mediterranean destinations.

The firm, which was recently acquired by Swedish firm Paxport, says sales to destination in eastern Mediterranean are 40% down year-on-year in the peak selling month of January.

Egypt, Turkey and Greece were the main destinations to suffer from the drop in confidence in the region.

In the same period bookings to Western European destinations including the Balearics, Spain and Portugal have noticeably picked up.

Additionally, some holidaymakers are making later decisions about their overseas trips with bookings for breaks within 30 days before departure increasing.

Shorter length breaks booked during the period are also up year on year reflecting a further shift in consumer’s behavior.

Multicom head of business delivery and operations Chris Norse said: “British holidaymakers are clearly taking a more cautious approach when planning their holidays this year.

“Over the years they have shown they can be very resilient when faced with the threat of disruption to their travel plans or an increased risk to their safety for whatever reason.

“However, the increased threat of global terrorism in light of recent events in Tunisia and Sharm-el-Sheikh and the appalling attacks closer to home in Paris has noticeably heightened concern among consumers.

“We can already see the impact on bookings made through FindandBook and we expect confidence will be slower to return than we have witnessed previously, it is likely that the continuing threat will affect the balance for the longer term this time round.”