Travel bookings to Portugal have surged 42% in recent weeks as UK tourists increasingly seek safer destinations amid Middle East tensions. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) released updated travel guidance on March 20, providing new information for visitors who need to extend their visa-free stays beyond the standard 90-day limit due to exceptional circumstances such as medical emergencies.www.the-express.com The guidance clarifies that those with residence permits or long-stay visas are not subject to the 90-day restriction, offering greater flexibility for British travelers planning extended stays in the popular European destination.

The dramatic surge in Portugal bookings reflects a broader shift in travel preferences, with destinations perceived as safer gaining significant traction over Middle Eastern locations. According to Thomas Cook data, Portugal experienced the largest increase among all destinations they coordinate vacations to during the two weeks ending March 13, followed by the Balearic Islands at 40% and the Canary Islands at 16%. Airlines including easyJet have reported initial jumps in bookings to Portugal and Spain, which travelers view as secure alternatives to Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, and Dubai.www.telegraph.co.uk

However, the surge in travel to Portugal has created operational challenges at European borders. The new entry registration system, which requires non-EU visitors including British nationals to provide fingerprints and photographs at border crossings, has generated extensive queues at airports throughout the region. The European Commission has proposed that border officials may temporarily suspend the system for up to six hours during peak travel periods until September to alleviate congestion and improve passenger flow.