Middle East tourism losing $600mn per day

The ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel is inflicting heavy losses on the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector, with the industry losing about $600 million per day, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

In a statement, the WTTC said the losses stem largely from a sharp decline in international tourist spending, compounded by disrupted air travel, rising security concerns among travellers and broader interruptions to regional connectivity.

The organisation noted that the Middle East accounts for roughly 5 per cent of global tourism and about 14 per cent of international transit passengers. Under normal circumstances, major airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama handle around 526,000 passengers daily.

However, operations at these hubs have faced significant disruption and congestion over the past two weeks.

The crisis has also had ripple effects on global aviation, with higher airfares reported on several international routes as airlines adjust to restricted airspace and operational challenges.

According to WTTC projections, the Middle East had been expected to generate about $207 billion in international visitor spending in 2026. The current conflict, however, has placed that outlook under considerable pressure, the organization said, warning that even minor disruptions to travel flows can quickly produce deep economic impacts across the tourism ecosystem.

Gloria Guevara, president and chief executive of the WTTC, expressed cautious optimism, noting that the global travel and tourism industry has historically demonstrated resilience in recovering from major crises. She stressed the importance of clear information sharing, strong public–private coordination and robust security measures to restore traveller confidence.