Middle East Crisis: Impact on Buyers of European Tourism Services
After the survey conducted in early May 2026, we circulated a second survey at the beginning of June, open to all tour operators, wholesalers, and destination management companies selling Europe, to continue tracking the impact of the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The findings show that there is less operational disruption and more cash flow and financial risk. Fewer respondents report a moderate impact on their business (45% vs. 55%), with respondents increasingly split between experiencing a high impact (35% vs. previous 32%) and reporting little or no effect to date (21% vs. previous 13%). The most reported challenge remains reduced demand, alongside increased price uncertainty, cancellations, and changes in booking patterns.
As per previous survey, respondents generally see supplier flexibility as moderate, with accommodation and private sector attractions perceived as the most flexible.
The response is now shifting from operational flexibility at the booking stage toward longer-term demand management, with pricing adjustments and postponements into 2027 now more common than previous emphasis on flexible terms.
Looking ahead, businesses remain most concerned about demand uncertainty, margin pressure and customer confidence.
If the situation persists, to maintain demand Operators and DMCs expect to respond through market and destination diversification, combined with capacity reductions, cost-control measures.