30% jump in demand for regional holidays among Hongkongers amid Middle East war

Demand for some regional holiday destinations among Hong Kong travellers has jumped by as much as 30 per cent ahead of Easter, as locals seek to avoid long-haul trips amid rising airfares and disrupted routes caused by the ongoing war in Iran, according to industry players.Travel agencies said the number of inquiries for trips to Japan, South Korea, mainland China and Australia had risen by between 10 and 30 per cent since the war escalated, while demand for destinations linked to the Middle East and some long-haul routes had effectively dropped to zero.Yuen Chun-ning, chief executive of travel agency WWPKG, said inquiries for trips to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had dried up following the recent attacks.“There have been no more inquiries for the UAE,” he said, adding that demand had also fallen significantly for tours to Northern Africa and Europe that relied on transit flights through the Middle East.The shift comes as airlines grapple with rising fuel costs and disrupted airspace following escalating hostilities in the region. The United States and Israel launched joint military strikes against Iran late last month, triggering retaliatory action from Tehran.Oil prices have surged in recent weeks amid concerns about supply disruptions, pushing up jet fuel costs and prompting airlines to increase ticket prices and fuel surcharges.