Report: US-Israeli War Against Iran Costing West Asia Travel Industry $600mln Daily

Disrupted air travel, shaken traveler confidence and reduced regional connectivity are driving down demand across the region, which handles 5% of global arrivals and 14% of international transit traffic, the group announced in a statement on Wednesday.

Major hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain - which normally process around 526,000 passengers daily - have faced nearly two weeks of closures and operational chaos, severely impacting global travel and sending the cost of many airfares soaring.

WTTC’s analysis is based on its 2026 pre-conflict forecast for West Asia, which projected $207 billion in international visitor spending across the region this year.

“Any disruption to travel flows therefore quickly translates into substantial economic impact across the tourism ecosystem,” it added.

However, WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara said travel and tourism “is the most resilient of sectors” with a history of rapid recovery. 

Clear communication, strong public-private coordination and measures to reinforce safety and stability are key to rebuilding travelers’ trust, she added.