Hotel comparison site www.trivago.co.uk says global travel interest in countries near Syria has dropped 47% in comparison to September last year (2012). Lebanon accounts for the biggest drop in visitorst, down 79% from last September. Cyprus experienced a 55% year-on-year decrease of traveller interest, Israel down 38%, Jordan down 32% and Turkey down 31%.
During the 2013 summer travel season, 85% of international visitors interested in Lebanon were searching for hotels in the coastal capital, Beirut, where the average hotel price (£106) has dropped 20% compared to this time last year. Similarly, the average hotel price in Tel Aviv, Israel (£125) is down 12% from September 2012.
Meanwhile, hotel prices in nearby Jordan have also decreased: Aqaba City is down 24% to an average of £81 per night this month, and Amman is down 6% to £85. And remember, Jordan is one of the countries where Saffas can get an entry clearance on arrival. Yes – you need not apply for a visa in advance like the rest of the entire world demands for us. You get a 1 month visa issued free on arrival!
Hotel prices have also decreased 15% year-on-year in Cyprus’s Paphos to £108 per night. In Turkey, hotel prices have decreased in popular holiday destination Antalya (down 28% to £73) and capital Istanbul (down 15% to £111).
No excuses then. Just book a cheap flight and get there.
