Tourists have often stayed away because of the fighting
Tour operators that send people to the Middle East are keeping their fingers crossed that the Gaza ceasefire will hold, leading to a rebound in bookings for some of the countries in the region that saw their tourism industries go into a tailspin as wary travellers often stayed away fearing a wider regional conflict.
The ceasefire was announced last week following over a year of intense warfare that frequently dominated the news.
Leigh Barnes, president, Americas for Intrepid Travel, said that the tour operator suspended travel to some locales because of the conflict but some of its destinations in the Middle East and North Africa are on the rebound.
“What matters first and foremost is the opportunity for peace in the country, the region and for its people,” he said. “It’s undeniable the impact this conflict has caused for travel. We had to halt all tours to Israel and the Palestinian territories. [But] Intrepid’s bookings for tours in Oman, Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco continue to see dynamic build back, particularly from Americans eager to have cultural exchange in the region.”
Barnes reported Egypt was one of Intrepid’s top five selling destinations during its recent Cyber Sale, saying the country is experiencing a remarkable comeback, with over a 300% increase in sales in November and December compared to 2023.
“This ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for restoring confidence in the region as a travel destination,” Barnes continued. “For the travel industry, it’s an opportunity to help rebuild bridges – both literally and figuratively – by encouraging sustainable tourism that supports local economies and fosters cross-cultural understanding. We know Intrepid travellers want to reconnect with a region rich in history and cultural significance. It also challenges the travel industry to approach tourism here responsibly, ensuring it becomes a tool for economic recovery and a force for long-term stability, not exploitation.”
Renata Snidr of NARAT welcomed the ceasefire but warned that tourism won’t hugely rebound overnight.
“The Gaza ceasefire will no doubt benefit NARAT’s sales for the Middle East region,” she said. “The cessation of the conflict will assist rebuilding consumer and agency confidence in Middle East travel and revive tour demand for the region by easing safety concerns. However, this would be a gradual process subject to how the situation evolves as it is too early to forecast the long-term geo-political situation.”
Snidr cited Egypt and Jordan as countries directly benefiting from the announced agreement, along with tourism to Israel.
“Both Egypt and Jordan are considered safe travel destinations, and the Gaza conflict negatively impacted its foreign visitor arrivals due to perceived traveller risk,” she said. “The Government of Canada currently advises Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Egypt and Jordan, and to avoid all non-essential travel to Israel. With the pacification of the Gaza conflict, it is presumed stability will be extended to other countries such as Iran, Lebanon, and Syria, that became amalgamated to the Gaza conflict, allowing them to restore their tourism economies. The region is a treasure trove of experiences for travellers, rich with history and culture.”
Similarly, Sally Mikhail of GMTours said the ceasefire could have several positive impacts on regional tourism
“Tourism is a significant source of revenue for many countries in the region,” she noted. “The ceasefire can help revive the tourism industry, leading to economic growth and job creation. This can be particularly beneficial for countries like Lebanon, which have been struggling with economic challenges. With the ceasefire in place, the region will experience a reduction in violence and conflict, making it safer for tourists to visit. This increased sense of security can encourage more travellers to explore the area.”
Mikhail noted that countries like Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan, which have been heavily affected by the conflict, can start rebuilding and promoting their tourism infrastructure.
“This includes reopening hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions,” she said. “The ceasefire can foster better relationships between neighbouring countries, leading to collaborative efforts to promote tourism in the region. Joint marketing campaigns and tourism packages can attract more visitors and showcase the diverse cultural and historical attractions the region has to offer.
“Overall, the Gaza ceasefire has the potential to bring about a positive change in regional tourism, benefiting both the local economies and the travellers seeking to explore the rich history and culture of the Middle East.”
Mikhail noted that her company is again offering tours it had suspended because of the fighting.
Meanwhile, the Jordan Tourism Board North America noted a number of positive Jordanian developments in January, welcome news for a country that saw its tourist trade suffer heavily during the Gaza War. Those developments include this month’s opening of a 272-room hotel in Amman that falls under the Hilton umbrella and the late January arrival of an exhibit in the Vatican titled Jordan: Dawn of Christianity, which focuses on Jordan’s many Biblical ties. The tourism board also noted that the Movenpick Resort & Spa Dead Sea’s sustainability efforts have received Platinum Status by prominent Green Globe.
