Recent tragic events in Tunisia, combined with uncertainty over the ongoing economic situation in Greece could lead to high levels of instability for the UK tourism and accommodation sector, says John Jones, Commercial Director of Welcome Systems Ltd.

“With reports indicating an exodus of more than 4,000 UK guests from Tunisia following the Sousse terrorist attack in June, travel companies are offering discounts of up to 50% in an attempt to buoy the summer holiday season.

“At the same time the UK government has advised tourists visiting Greece to take enough cash to cover essential costs. Given that as many as 150,000 Britons are holidaying in the country and Greek islands at any one time, the sums of money involved are huge – possibly as much as £100 million.”

Jones adds that these and other fluctuations in the marketplace could prove both a boost and threat to the UK accommodation market.

“On the one hand we’re expecting that stay-at-home holiday numbers will rise significantly this summer – with many people changing their overseas travel plans in the short-term,” he notes.

“On the other, if the security situation in continental Europe is perceived to have stabilised this time next year, Greece exits the Euro, and significant discounts continue to be offered for international travel, the UK sector could well experience a lull in 2016.

“Either way we are already seeing higher demand from our small hotel, guest house and B&B client base as operators are looking to consistently manage their accommodation and respond effectively to peaks and troughs in demand.”

Welcome Systems Ltd are specialists in delivering hotel booking and property management software solutions. For more information visit www.welcome-systems.uk

Picture by domdeen, courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net