Island hotspots Maldives, Seychelles, Sri Lanka feel the Middle East travel shock amid airspace closures, cancellations
Dubai: Island nations, including the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Seychelles, are counting the cost of a disrupted Middle East travel corridor, as fewer international tourists make their way through the Gulf to some of the Indian Ocean's most popular holiday destinations. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances For the Maldives, the impact has been particularly sharp because the…
Island nations like the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Seychelles are facing financial consequences due to disrupted travel from the Middle East, as international tourists increasingly use Gulf hubs to reach these popular destinations. Abdulla Yasir, CEO of Visit Maldives Corporation, says the conflict in the Middle East has had a significant impact on the Maldives' tourism industry, as the country heavily relies on Middle Eastern aviation hubs to bring visitors from Europe and other Western markets.
The first half of the year has been particularly difficult for the Maldives, but the country is now on a path to recovery and hopes to reach pre-pandemic numbers by the end of 2026. The vulnerability lies not only in tourists from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries but also in the Gulf's role as a transit hub for travellers from further away, such as Europe, Africa, and America.
While the Maldives' reliance on the Middle East corridor has improved, the Gulf's role as a transit point remains crucial for the islands' tourism industry.
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