MADRID, March 11, 2026 — The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) warned that the conflict involving Iran is having a significant economic impact on the travel and tourism sector across the Middle East, with estimated losses of at least $600 million per day in international visitor spending.

According to the global body representing the private sector of the travel industry, air travel disruptions, declining traveler confidence, and regional connectivity challenges are directly affecting tourism demand.

WTTC’s analysis is based on its pre-conflict outlook for 2026, which projected that international visitor spending in the Middle East would reach $207 billion this year. In that context, any disruption to travel flows can quickly translate into a significant economic impact across the tourism value chain.

Impact on air connectivity

The region plays a critical role in global mobility, accounting for about 5% of international arrivals and 14% of global transit air traffic.

Major aviation hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain—which together handle approximately 526,000 passengers per day—have experienced partial closures and operational disruptions as regional tensions escalate.

These disruptions are affecting not only airlines and airports but also hotels, car rental companies, tour operators and cruise lines that depend on steady flows of international travelers.

A resilient industry

Despite the immediate impact, WTTC emphasized that travel and tourism remains one of the most resilient sectors in the global economy.

WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said past crises show that tourism demand can recover relatively quickly when governments and the private sector coordinate efforts.

According to WTTC research, tourism demand following security-related incidents can recover in as little as two months, provided that governments take steps to restore traveler confidence, such as supporting affected tourists, providing hotel assistance or facilitating repatriation.

WTTC said it will continue monitoring the evolving situation while maintaining close contact with governments and industry leaders to support traveler safety and the resilience of the global travel and tourism sector.