Manny Ita –
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has disclosed that the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States is inflicting heavy economic losses on the Middle East’s tourism industry, with an estimated $600 million in international visitor spending lost each day due to travel disruptions across the region.
The council said in a statement published Wednesday that the ongoing hostilities are affecting aviation operations, tourist confidence and regional connectivity, placing pressure on airlines, airports and other segments of the travel sector.
“The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that the escalating conflict in Iran is already impacting the Travel & Tourism sector across the Middle East by at least US$600 million per day in international visitor spending, as disruptions to air travel, traveller confidence and regional connectivity affect demand,” the organisation said.
The WTTC noted that the Middle East is a critical hub in global travel networks, accounting for about five per cent of international tourist arrivals and approximately 14 per cent of global transit traffic, meaning disruptions in the region can quickly ripple across international aviation and tourism markets.
Key aviation hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama normally process roughly 526,000 passengers daily, but several of these airports have faced closures or operational disruptions since the conflict escalated.
The economic fallout is extending beyond airlines to other parts of the tourism value chain, including hotels, car rental companies and cruise operators, highlighting the interconnected nature of global travel.
Before the outbreak of hostilities, the region had been projected to generate about $207 billion in international visitor spending in 2026, making the current disruptions a significant setback for the Middle East’s tourism outlook.
WTTC President and Chief Executive Officer Gloria Guevara said the travel sector has historically demonstrated resilience during major crises and could recover if coordinated measures are implemented.
She emphasised that clear communication, strengthened safety measures and coordinated action between governments and private sector stakeholders would be essential to rebuild traveller confidence and restore tourism demand.
Airlines have already begun adjusting operations as tensions escalate. British Airways has suspended flights to and from Abu Dhabi until later in the year and cancelled services to destinations including Amman, Manama, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv through mid-March.
Similarly, Emirates temporarily halted operations to and from Dubai on March 7 before resuming flights later the same day, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding aviation safety and operational continuity in the region.
Airport authorities have also implemented emergency measures to manage passenger movements. Dubai Airports partially resumed operations from March 7, with flights operating from both Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central.
Between March 2 and March 5, more than 500 flights departed from the two airports, offering about 105,000 outbound seats to over 80 countries, while more than 1,140 flights were facilitated over an 84-hour period to assist travellers returning home, although these figures remained below normal operational capacity.
Despite the disruptions, the WTTC said tourism demand could rebound within two months if stability returns to the region, underscoring both the vulnerability of the industry to geopolitical shocks and its potential for rapid recovery once conditions improve.
