Empty beaches, discount hotels: How the Iran war created holiday bargains in our region

It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good, as the proverb goes, and overseas travellers into this region have been facing a stiff headwind in terms of airfares, due to the Iran war.

Jet fuel prices have rocketed, while airspace above the Persian Gulf has been declared a no-go zone by many airlines, and flying around it costs more.

However, don’t assume that taking an overseas break right now is going to cost you more. In fact, the opposite can be true.

There is a sweet spot for Australian travellers: places where tourists from other parts of the world aren’t travelling as much but which are close enough for us that any airfare increase isn’t crippling.

We’ve calculated how much it would cost two people to travel to popular destinations for a six-day stay in a hotel by the beach. Note that there are many variables at play, and prices may change by the time you read this.

We’ve compiled a list of hotels currently offering significant discounts. Destinations span South Korea, Thailand, Bali and Vietnam, as they are relatively near neighbours, all within six to 11 hours’ flight time.

It’s shoulder season and, denied more long-distance travellers than usual, there are a lot of empty hotel rooms in Vietnam.

Let’s start with South Korea. The cheapest economy return fares from Sydney to Seoul right now are roughly between $636 and $856 (this time last year they were typically in the $480 to $650 range).

In popular resort city Busan, the two JB-branded hotels were originally priced at $190 a night, or $1140 for six nights. The current price, with an additional booking-platform membership discount, is $501 – less than half-price.

The Haeundae Haerium Hotel is offering an impressive reduction – $1008 for six nights, down from $1816. Factor in the average saving offered by this admittedly small sample of hotels against the increased airfares, and you’re still about $450 better off.

We chose three hotels in Phuket, Thailand, for our next bargain hunt. Homa Phuket Town is normally about $210 a night, making six nights $1260. When we looked and applied a booking-platform discount, that came down to $428.

The cost for a week’s stay at Barcelo Coconut Island has dropped from $1941 to $961, while Arco Hotel Phuket Town weekly rates have fallen from $1388 to $699. That’s an average accommodation saving of $573 to help offset higher fares. It’s an even better place to go bargain-hunting than Busan.

Closer to home, Bali hotels are offering even steeper savings. For instance, Bali Binging Lodge Uluwatu’s rack rate for a double room is $1038 for six nights, but at the time of writing you can book that for $613.

The Blue Karma Dijiwa, Seminyak, is normally a top-shelf $2568 for six nights – right now, you can stay the week for a smidgen over $850. Meanwhile, week-long stays at Amnaya Resort Nusa Dua start from $1386 for six nights; right now, that same booking will set you back $612.

Flights are an average of 10 per cent higher, but off a low base, and you could still be looking at a half-price Balinese holiday.

Finally, we come to Vietnam, where the ill wind turns into a perfect storm that benefits travellers. Because of the fuel crisis, Vietnam’s main suppliers of jet fuel – Thailand and China – have cut exports and the national carrier Vietnam Airlines has cancelled internal flights and reduced capacity on international routes.

Budget airlines that don’t have to buy their jet fuel in Vietnam have piled in, offering cheaper airfares, reducing the average cost by 25 per cent. Some booking platforms are showing budget flights as having fallen by between $130 and $150 while mid-range tickets are $50 to $80 cheaper.

Also, it’s shoulder season and, denied more long-distance travellers than usual, there are a lot of empty hotel rooms in Vietnam.

We chose three hotels in the beachside resort town of Da Nang. The trendy M Hotel has halved a six-night stay from $2088 to $1044, The Golden Lotus Grand has dropped from $2340 to $1603, a saving of $737 and the Stella Maris Beach Hotel is down from $2258 to $700.

Clearly, if you are looking to get the biggest bang for your holiday buck, Vietnam is the place to go. But be warned – this may not last and airfares are more likely to go up than down.

Once again, these prices and savings are indicative rather than definitive. There are so many random factors that can affect airfares and room rates that you need to check them daily.

But look for that sweet spot of low local tourism, moderately increased air fares and reduced numbers of global travellers and you might find your next perfect, cut-price holiday.

At the very least you should not assume that your next Asian adventure is going to cost more because of the war.