New Violence Between Israel and Gaza Threatens MENA’s Fragile Tourism Recovery
Just as Middle East tourism saw glimmers of rebounding after COVID closures, renewed conflict between Israel and Gaza is jeopardizing the sector’s recovery since clashes erupted October 7th. The region’s fragile economies reliant on tourism now brace for major setbacks.
Middle East and North Africa (MENA) with countries like Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia expected big bounce-backs in travel this year after the pandemic avalanche. Instead, as airstrikes pound Gaza while rocket fire pelts Tel Aviv, travelers are abandoning bookings and rerouting plans.
“Our fall reservations dropped immediately once the hostilities broke out,” said Marwan Kattan, who operates tours to Petra and Wadi Rum from Amman. “Jordan was just getting back on its feet. Now we fear another devastating impact.”
The Levant region relying on religious tourism and cultural sites is especially exposed. After two muted hajj seasons, Saudi Arabia faces multi-billion dollar losses as pilgrimages and Umrah trips stall over safety concerns.
For relatively stable nations like Egypt, the latest violence compounds the urgency of economic reforms and diversification. Its prized tourism sector directly employs over 2 million people.
“Just when we hoped recovery had finally come, conflict shattered it,” lamented Egyptian Tourism Minister Haitham Reda. “The losses for those whose livelihoods depend on tourism will be immense.”
Meanwhile, the wealthy Gulf monarchies remain somewhat insulated by oil and domestic spending. However, fears of a wider war causing price shocks loom.
“If the turmoil drags on or escalates, it will dampen business confidence across the region,” analyzed Dubai-based economist Ali Fawzi. “No MENA economy will escape this completely unscathed.”
As countries rebuild post-pandemic, the eruption of Israel-Gaza hostilities serves as another gut punch. But with swift de-escalation, the region’s legendary hospitality, heritage, and resilience can still draw visitors back soon to experience its splendors again.
