Holidays in an Uncertain World: Is It Time to Think Twice Before Travelling Abroad?

23rd October 2026

International tensions are rising, oil prices are volatile and governments are increasingly concerned about security. Against this background, should British holidaymakers be thinking more carefully before booking a trip abroad?

The answer is yes, but that does not mean cancelling every holiday or treating the world as too dangerous to visit. It means recognising that international travel can be more vulnerable to sudden disruption than many people have become accustomed to over recent decades.

For years, many holidaymakers have booked flights and accommodation with little thought beyond the price, the weather and the attractions waiting at their destination. That remains perfectly reasonable in many circumstances. However, a combination of international conflicts, security concerns and uncertainty over energy prices makes it worth taking a few additional precautions.

The trouble may be far from your destination

One of the difficulties with modern travel is that a conflict does not have to occur in the country you are visiting to affect your holiday.

Airlines operate complex international networks. When military activity, security threats or political decisions lead to airspace restrictions, flights may be diverted, delayed or cancelled. Disruption at a major airport or transit hub can affect passengers travelling to destinations thousands of miles away.

A holiday in a country experiencing no direct conflict could therefore still be affected by events elsewhere. The risk depends on the destination, the route and the circumstances, rather than simply the distance from a conflict.

This is particularly relevant to people booking connecting flights or arranging their own travel rather than buying a package holiday. A missed connection can create additional accommodation and transport costs, while separate bookings may leave travellers having to make their own arrangements.

None of this means that popular European destinations are automatically unsafe. It does mean that checking the wider travel situation is a sensible part of planning.

Oil prices could make holidays more expensive

There is also an economic dimension. International tensions, particularly those affecting major oil-producing regions or important shipping routes, can push energy prices higher.

Airlines are significant fuel consumers, and sustained increases in fuel costs can eventually put pressure on fares. The effect is not necessarily immediate, because airlines may have fuel contracts or other arrangements that delay the impact. Nevertheless, prolonged disruption could contribute to higher air fares and increased costs for transport and tourism businesses.

Holidaymakers travelling by car may also face higher petrol or diesel costs. Hotels, restaurants and attractions can experience higher energy and delivery bills, some of which may eventually be reflected in their prices.

For families already dealing with higher household costs, this creates another reason to compare the total cost of a holiday rather than concentrating solely on the initial booking price.

Read the insurance small print

Travel insurance is another area where assumptions can prove expensive.

Many people buy a policy without examining what it actually covers. Yet exclusions relating to war, civil unrest, government travel warnings and other exceptional events can be important when international conditions deteriorate.

A policy may cover some unexpected medical expenses or travel interruptions but not every cost arising from conflict or a government decision to restrict travel. Nor should holidaymakers assume that an insurer will automatically pay for an extended hotel stay or an alternative journey home.

Before booking, travellers should check the policy wording and ask the insurer about circumstances they do not understand. Anyone who already has insurance should review the terms rather than assume that existing cover will be sufficient if conditions change.

The UK Government's foreign travel advice website should also be checked before departure. Its country-specific guidance identifies security concerns and other risks, sometimes including warnings about particular regions rather than an entire country.

Who carries the risk if something goes wrong?

The way a holiday is booked can make a difference.

Package holidays generally provide a clearer framework for dealing with significant disruption than arrangements made through several separate bookings. Depending on the circumstances, package travel protections may require the organiser to provide assistance or arrange appropriate alternatives.

Those booking flights, hotels and transfers independently should understand who is responsible for each element. A cheap flight and an attractive hotel deal may look appealing, but savings can disappear quickly if separate bookings have to be changed at short notice.

It is also sensible to keep emergency funds available, retain copies of important documents and know how to contact the airline, accommodation provider and insurer. These are ordinary precautions, but they become more valuable when uncertainty increases.

Could Britain benefit from a change of plans?

For some families, a holiday closer to home may be an attractive alternative. Scotland and the rest of Britain offer beaches, countryside, historic attractions and outdoor activities without the additional complications of international flights.

That could present opportunities for tourism businesses in the Highlands and Caithness, where visitors can enjoy coastal scenery, wildlife, history and local attractions.

However, a domestic holiday is not automatically cheaper, and British tourism businesses face their own challenges from higher costs and household budgets under pressure. Nor should people feel obliged to abandon overseas travel simply because the international news is worrying.

Most holidays to destinations without specific warnings can still go ahead without incident. The purpose of preparation is to make informed decisions, not to encourage unnecessary alarm.

Sensible preparation, not panic

International tensions are a reminder that travel depends on a wider network of airlines, airports, energy supplies, insurance arrangements and government decisions. Most of the time, that network works remarkably well. Occasionally, events expose just how dependent travellers are on it.

The sensible response is to check official advice, understand the insurance, consider the route and make sure there is a realistic plan if travel arrangements change.

For anyone booking an expensive family holiday, these checks are especially worthwhile. A little time spent examining the risks could prevent considerable expense and anxiety later.

There is no need to stop exploring the world. But in an uncertain world, the best holiday decision may be the one made after a little more thought, rather than simply the one offering the lowest price.