≡-Thailand Tourism Braces for Sharp Drop in Middle Eastern Tourists as Israel-Iran Conflict Disrupts Travel – Viral of Today

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Home » TOURISM NEWS » Thailand Tourism Braces for Sharp Drop in Middle Eastern Tourists as Israel-Iran Conflict Disrupts Travel Thursday, June 19, 2025Thailand’s tourism industry is facing a challenging period as the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict threatens to significantly reduce Middle Eastern arrivals. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has warned that Thailand tourism could face a 50% drop in visitors from the Middle East due to air travel disruptions and heightened safety concerns. As the situation continues to unfold, the country is bracing for a sharp decline in visitors from five key markets in the region.Middle Eastern Markets Suffer from the ConflictThe TAT has confirmed that Middle Eastern arrivals are already being impacted by the conflict. Popular destinations in Thailand, such as Phuket, are seeing a reduction in visitors from the region. Airlines, including Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Oman Air, and SalamAir, have made adjustments to their flight routes to avoid areas affected by the conflict. This has created additional challenges for Thailand tourism, as the altered air travel routes complicate the travel plans for many potential visitors.The five key markets expected to experience the most significant Middle East tourism decline are Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. These countries together represent approximately 7% of Thailand’s Middle Eastern arrivals. With the current situation, the TAT projects a reduction of up to 50% in tourism from these nations. This decline is especially troubling as Eid al-Adha, a peak travel period, traditionally draws large numbers of visitors. Last year, the festival saw 7,165 tourists from these five markets, but this year, the TAT predicts that only between 3,500 and 5,000 tourists will visit.Affected countries: Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and SyriaTourist reduction projections: 30-50% decreaseEid al-Adha impact: 3,500–5,000 tourists expectedAirlines Adjust Flights Amid ConflictAs a direct result of the Israel-Iran conflict, many airlines serving Thailand have altered their routes. This includes well-known carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways, which have rerouted their flights to avoid conflict zones. Air travel disruptions caused by airspace restrictions have further exacerbated the issue, with Mahan Air from Iran halting flights to Thailand entirely due to airspace closures.These changes are contributing to a larger decline in the number of Middle Eastern arrivals to Thailand, especially from Iran, which is one of the hardest-hit markets. As of now, the TAT is monitoring the situation closely, but it is clear that Thailand tourism will take a hit in the short term.Short-Term and Long-Term Effects on Key Thai DestinationsThailand’s popular tourist destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai are expected to bear the brunt of the downturn in Middle Eastern arrivals. These cities are highly favored by tourists from the Middle East, and a reduction in arrivals could significantly impact the hospitality and retail sectors. However, TAT officials remain hopeful that the situation will improve once the conflict subsides, with recovery potentially beginning as early as July, assuming the political situation stabilizes.Key destinations affected: Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang MaiRecovery expectations: Anticipated rebound in July if tensions easeLooking Ahead: Will Thailand Tourism Recover?The TAT is not giving up on its 2025 goals. Despite the current challenges, the authority remains committed to attracting 1.06 million visitors from the Middle East by the end of the year, marking an 11% increase over 2024. With this goal in mind, Thailand is aiming to generate 86 billion THB (2.65 billion USD) in revenue from Middle Eastern tourism. The TAT is closely watching how the political situation evolves and is prepared to adapt its strategy as needed.As Thailand tourism faces these challenges, it’s clear that the industry is resilient. If the political situation improves, a recovery in arrivals could be possible later this year, provided that airlines resume normal operations and tourists feel confident in the safety of their travels.Bottom LineThe ongoing Israel-Iran conflict has caused significant disruptions to Thailand tourism, especially in terms of Middle Eastern arrivals. As the situation continues to evolve, the TAT remains vigilant and hopeful that tourism numbers will begin to recover once tensions ease. For now, the immediate impact on key destinations like Phuket and Bangkok is being carefully monitored, and the industry will have to adapt to these new realities to regain momentum.

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