Middle East Crisis Disrupts 2026 Global Travel

The escalating Middle East crisis triggers major setbacks for tourism in Canada and global destinations, with cancelled flights, postponed trips, and airspace closures reshaping 2026 travel plans. Countries like Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Israel face intermittent shutdowns, forcing reroutes and higher costs for travelers. Industry forecasts predict 11-27% fewer arrivals to the region, equating to 23-38 million lost visitors and $34-56 billion in spending.