Tourism tipping point: Middle East travel boom delivering economic boost as Israel-Hamas war threatens recovery

October 2023 Al-Monitor PRO Trend Report 

3,391 words

Introduction

Empty hotels, canceled flights and travel advisories. The outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hamas in October 2023 has undercut a fledgling tourism rebound in the Holy Land after years of struggle. The fallout could spread further, with the prospect of a wider war looming over an even bigger tourism boom unfolding across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).  

Global tourism isn’t expected to fully recover from COVID-19 until 2024, but Q1 2023 saw the Middle East become the world’s first region where tourism arrivals fully reached pre-pandemic levels, exceeding 2019 numbers by 15%, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). That came as global arrivals only reached 80% during Q1, while the Middle East has since reported the world’s best results between January-July 2023, with arrivals 20% above 2019.