Mideast conflict a major roadblock for long-haul markets

As the conflict in the Middle East weighs on global travel prices and travellers' pocketbooks, tourism operators project long-haul markets in 2026 will fall short of last year's 10 million arrivals.

- MOLPASORN SHOOWONG

"Thailand's tourism sector will definitely be hit by this new storm of events," said Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association. "Tourism arrivals this year could dip even more severely than last year."

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set a target of 11.6 million arrivals from long-haul markets this year, with total arrivals of 36.7 million. Long-haul arrivals set a record high of 10.8 million in 2025.

The US-Israel attack on Iran and Iran's retaliation against a broad swath of Gulf countries prompted airspace closures and thousands of flight cancellations since Feb 28.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has also triggered fears of rising energy prices.

Mr Sanga said these events hamper global tourism, as higher oil prices lead to rising inflation and airfares.