In Israel, one of the most affected countries, tourism — an essential component of its economy — has collapsed in a matter of hours. The holy sites of Jerusalem, which normally attract thousands of visitors from around the world, now stand empty, while tourism services remain closed or operate at minimal capacity. Israeli authorities have stepped up security and civil protection efforts but acknowledge the difficulty of reversing the drastic decline in tourist arrivals as long as attacks and the threat of regional war persist.
The impact also extends to other countries in the region that, although not directly involved in the conflict, are suffering from the generalized perception of risk among travelers. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia — which in recent years had heavily invested in positioning themselves as leisure, business, and cultural tourism destinations — are already feeling the consequences. Major international events scheduled for this summer, including conferences, festivals, and sporting competitions, are being reassessed or canceled by organizers due to fears of potential incidents or a sharp drop in participation.
The cruise sector, which had experienced a boom in the Arabian Gulf, has also been hit hard. Several cruise lines have altered their routes, eliminating stops at ports in the region and diverting itineraries toward the western Mediterranean or Southeast Asia. Tour operators note that the effect is twofold: on the one hand, direct income from visitor arrivals is lost, and on the other, the sector’s confidence in planning future operations in the area is damaged.
From an economic perspective, countries in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula face a major blow to one of the sectors that was intended to help diversify their economies, traditionally dependent on hydrocarbons. Tourism — especially high-end and business travel — had been identified as a key driver of development. The war and instability put these plans at risk, with consequences that could last beyond the duration of the conflict itself.
Experts warn that the recovery of the tourism sector will be complex and slow, even in the event of a short-term ceasefire. The image of insecurity and danger lingers in the minds of international travelers, and coordinated promotional efforts, security guarantees, and confidence-building measures will be needed to restore tourism to pre-war levels. Travel agencies and hotel associations in the region are already calling on governments for economic support measures, tax exemptions, and emergency plans to mitigate the impact.
Meanwhile, uncertainty reigns at airports, ports, and tourist destinations across the region. Humanitarian and security agencies urge foreign tourists to leave risk areas and avoid unnecessary travel to the Middle East. Travel alerts issued by the United States, the European Union, and other countries reinforce this message, contributing to the paralysis of tourism activity.
The international community watches with concern as a conflict born of political and military origins drags along a sector vital to the stability and economic development of the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula. Tourism, a driver of understanding and a bridge between cultures, has become collateral damage in a war that threatens to reshape the region’s geopolitical and economic map for a long time to come.
