Following the outbreak of war in Iran on February 28, over 5,000 flights were canceled in the Middle East, causing one of the largest air traffic disruptions since the COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines halted flights to the region, while Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Qatar closed their airspace. The new circumstances are altering global tourism, including European tourism.
In the Adriatic and Ionian region, Albania and Croatia are in the best position to benefit from these changes, Montenegro remains unstable, while Greece is most exposed to a decline in confidence and rising costs. Vadim Strielkowski, director and professor at the Prague Business School in the Czech Republic, told REL that the war in the Middle East does not lead to a complete collapse of European travel but to a redistribution of tourist demand.
"Tourists are moving away from destinations perceived as closer to conflict zones and turning to alternatives that seem safer and easier to operate," he explained.
Professor Strielkowski believes Albania could be the biggest beneficiary in the region, thanks to its image as an affordable destination and rapid tourism growth, but the challenge lies in adapting this growth with investments in infrastructure and service quality. Professor Strielkowski warned that governments should not view the crisis in the Middle East solely as a marketing opportunity but also work on diversifying transportation and controlling costs.
Croatia should strengthen road and rail flows from Central Europe, while Montenegro and Albania should focus on airports and regional connections, and Greece should rely more on continental destinations and its closer islands. In all four countries, he added, it is important to avoid new taxes during the tourist season. /Top Channel/