Middle East conflict forces Southeast Asia’s pivot to travellers from the region, but gaps remain

Following the US and Israel's strikes on Iran, Southeast Asian countries are adapting to the decline in Middle Eastern visitors by focusing on domestic and intra-Southeast Asian tourism. Airspace disruptions and rising fuel costs have reduced long-haul travel demand, prompting the tourism industry to prioritize attracting shorter-distance travelers. This shift reflects the broader reshaping of travel patterns due to the Middle East conflict.