The Iran conflict is already costing the Middle East travel and tourism sector at least $600mn per day in lost international visitor spending, the World Travel and Tourism Council said on March 11, as air travel disruptions and falling traveller confidence compound the economic damage across the region.
The figure is drawn from WTTC’s pre-conflict forecast, which projected $207bn in international visitor spending across the Middle East in 2026. The organisation said any disruption to travel flows translates rapidly into substantial losses across the wider tourism ecosystem, hitting airports, hotels, car hire companies and cruise lines.
The region accounts for 5% of global international arrivals and 14% of global transit traffic. Major aviation hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain, which together normally process around 526,000 passengers per day, have experienced closures and operational disruption since the conflict escalated.
“The impact of international visitor spending across the Middle East is significant and averages around $600mn per day, but history shows that the sector can recover quickly, especially when governments support travellers through hotel support or repatriation,” Gloria Guevara, President and Chief Executive of WTTC, said on March 11.
Guevara said WTTC research into previous crises showed that tourism demand following security-related incidents could recover in as little as two months when governments and industry moved quickly to restore traveller confidence.
“Clear communication, strong coordination between the public and private sectors, and measures that reinforce safety and stability are critical to rebuilding trust with travellers and supporting the sector’s recovery,” she added.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is the global, private sector voice of the Travel & Tourism industry. Its members include the Chairmen/women, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism companies, spanning airlines, hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, technology firms and more. Through this unified membership, WTTC works with governments and international institutions to drive sustainable growth, support exports, create jobs, and deliver prosperity globally.