The ongoing military conflict involving Iran is already costing the travel and tourism sector across the Middle East at least US$600 million per day in lost international visitor spending, according to new analysis from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The industry group says the escalating situation is disrupting air travel, regional connectivity and traveller confidence, creating ripple effects across global tourism demand.

According to WTTC, the Middle East plays a critical role in the global travel system, accounting for roughly 5% of international arrivals worldwide and 14% of global international transit traffic. As a result, disruptions in the region can have wide-ranging consequences for airlines, airports, hotels, cruise lines and other travel suppliers.

Major aviation hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain typically process about 526,000 passengers per day combined. WTTC says closures and operational disruptions linked to the conflict have already affected connectivity both within the region and internationally.

Tensions escalated in the United Arab Emirates this week when two Iranian drones struck near Dubai International Airport on Wednesday. The airport, home to Emirates and the world’s busiest hub for international travel, continued operating despite the incident. According to the Dubai Media Office, four people were wounded but flights continued.

WTTC’s estimate is based on its 2026 pre-conflict forecast for the Middle East, which projected US$207 billion in international visitor spending across the region this year. Any interruption to travel flows can therefore translate quickly into significant economic losses across the tourism sector.

Despite the disruption, the organization says the industry has historically shown strong resilience during crises.

“Travel & Tourism is the most resilient of sectors. The impact of international visitor spending across the Middle East is significant and averages around US$600 million per day, but history shows that the sector can recover quickly, especially when governments support travellers through hotel support or repatriation,” said Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council.

“Our analysis of previous crises demonstrates that security-related incidents often see the fastest tourism recovery times, in some cases as quickly as two months, when governments and industry work together to restore traveller confidence. WTTC commends governments who have worked tirelessly in recent days to support recovery efforts.”

Guevara stressed that 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.

WTTC says it continues to monitor developments closely while maintaining communication with governments and industry leaders to support traveller safety and the stability of the global travel sector.

Source: Travelweek