Demand for Caribbean holidays has surged since the outbreak of war involving Iran, as British travellers reconsider trips to the Middle East. Travel search data shows an 81 per cent rise in interest in Caribbean destinations during the first two weeks of March compared with the previous fortnight, following widespread flight cancellations affecting millions of passengers travelling to or from the region.

Luxury destinations such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi are seeing travellers redirect plans, with islands including Turks and Caicos, the Dominican Republic, Tobago and Saint Lucia recording some of the largest increases in searches. Turks and Caicos experienced the sharpest rise, while Antigua, Jamaica, Aruba, Barbados and the Bahamas also reported notable gains.

Airlines and travel companies say the Caribbean is benefiting from shifting holiday preferences as travellers seek stability. British Airways has reported increased searches for several islands and is expanding its winter Caribbean schedule. Industry leaders have warned that rising fuel costs linked to the conflict could push air fares higher, with travellers also favouring Western and Southern Europe and North Africa over destinations closer to the fighting.