Europeans shunning US as Emirates and Asia travel prove popular, says Tui

"Tui, which receives most of its bookings from customers in Europe, has seen significantly lower demand for travel into the US, according to its chief executive, Sebastian Ebel. What we do see is growing business to the Emirates and Asia, he said. We also see European demand to the Caribbean, which due to capacity had not been the biggest priority in the past, but there we see now potential again to grow."

"It comes amid signs that demand for long-haul travel across the Atlantic is waning. A report by the European Travel Commission, which surveyed travellers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea and the US, found 42% of long-haul travellers were considering a trip to Europe this year, down from 45% last year. In the US, 34% intended to travel to Europe, down from 37%."

"In Europe, several countries have issued advisories about travel to the US owing to stricter border scrutiny, the detention of some visitors and protests over the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Since Trump took office, reports have emerged from the US border of tourists being detained and interrogated, people with work permits sent to ICE detention centres and people being wrongly deported. Overseas visits to the US from western Europe were down 4% in December compared with the same month last year."

Tui has reported a significant drop in demand for holidays to the US from its predominantly European customers, while bookings to the Emirates, Asia and the Caribbean are growing. A European Travel Commission survey found 42% of long‑haul travellers considered a trip to Europe, down from 45%, and US interest in travelling to Europe fell from 37% to 34%. Several European countries issued advisories about US travel because of stricter border checks, detentions and protests over ICE. Reports describe tourists being detained, interrogated, work‑permit holders sent to ICE centres and wrongful deportations. Visits from western Europe to the US fell 4% in December. Tui reported a 1% revenue rise to 4.9bn and its best first quarter in over a decade.

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