"The current crisis is an absolute shock for the countries affected in the region. In recent years, several Gulf states have gone to great lengths to promote themselves as safe destinations. There have never been terrorist attacks in Dubai or other emirates like there have been in other Arab tourist hot spots."
"According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Middle East and North Africa is one of the fastest-growing tourism regions in the world. In 2025, nearly 100 million international travelers visited countries such as Egypt and Jordan, as well as Qatar and Saudi Arabia. That figure represents a 39% increase from 2019, just before the coronavirus pandemic was declared."
The Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, which experienced unprecedented growth with nearly 100 million international visitors in 2025—a 39% increase from 2019—faces sudden collapse due to escalating US-Israeli military actions against Iran. Widespread airspace closures across the Arabian Peninsula have stranded hundreds of thousands of travelers, while shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz affect cruise operations. Gulf states, which invested heavily in promoting themselves as safe, stable destinations distinct from other conflict-affected Arab regions, now confront an existential crisis. Dubai International Airport, which evolved into a global hub handling over 95 million international passengers annually, exemplifies the scale of disruption affecting the region's tourism infrastructure and economic prospects.
Read at www.dw.com
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