Consumers may be concerned about the Middle East conflict, but it is not stopping them from travelling to the region, according to operators.
Bunnik Tours is still seeing interest in Egypt and Jordan, although more travellers are assessing the situation first and booking their trips closer to the time of departure, said General Manager, Annelieke Huijgens.
“As they are such big bucket-list destinations, we are finding clients are still keen to tick them off,” she told travelBulletin.
“In fact, in the second half of this year, our passenger numbers to the region are up 112% compared to last year.”
Travel operator Forward Travel has also adjusted its itineraries that include the affected regions, with some clients happy to enjoy a rerouted schedule, while others are postponing their trips.
“We’ve noticed that many of our clients remain interested in the region and have been happy to shift to neighbouring countries that offer similar experiences cultural and historically without the associated risks, such as Oman, Jordan and countries in north Africa,” the company’s owner David Smyth said.
He has also noted an increased demand for flexibility and queries around cancellation and rerouting policies, pushing the company “to work even more closely with our partners on the ground to provide accurate, timely advice and options”.
Forward Travel is also offering more generous terms and conditions around amendments and cancellations, and clearer communication around coverage.
“We’ve found that when we provide context, explaining where risks exist, where they don’t, and how we’re monitoring developments, clients respond positively,” he said.
“It becomes a collaborative planning process rather than a simple yes-or-no discussion.”
Cooling off with caution
Other advisors like MTA’s Annie Morrison however have noticed a drop in interest in the region.
“I have not received any new enquiries for travel to anywhere in the Middle East, which is unusual,” she revealed.
Some clients have also asked for an Asian alternative to Middle Eastern carriers on Euro trips.
“I feel CX, SQ, MH and TG will see more traffic for 2026 Euro summer,” predicted itravel’s Geoff Currie.
Waiting for a comeback
Travel veteran Phil Hoffman has been in the industry for 35 years and witnessed the impact of plenty global conflicts on the travel industry. In his opinion, it is key for agents to continue communicating with their clients and being positive about the
“The Middle East will settle down, but there’s always something happening somewhere that can deter a traveller,” he told travelBulletin.
“I think we’re in an industry where you need to show bravery – not stupid bravery – but bravery that life goes on and travel goes on.”
Smyth also noted that while in the short-term, global conflicts may deter some travellers, long-term, the impact can sometimes be “more complex and even constructive”.
“We’ve seen this pattern before. After previous periods of instability, destinations like Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon have welcomed returning travellers who are more mindful, more curious, and more respectful than ever. These travellers often feel a deeper sense of connection and purpose in visiting,” he noted.
“If anything, I think the current situation may prompt a shift from checklist tourism to more intentional, meaningful travel in the region. And when stability returns, and it will, we expect interest in the Middle East to rebound, driven by travellers who are keen to engage with its profound beauty, resilience, and complexity.”
