UAE Travelers Hesitate After Houthi Attacks But Do Not Cancel Bookings
New travel inquiries in the UAE dropped slightly following escalating Houthi attacks without cancellations, with bookings remaining above last year's levels and Gulf summer bookings growing 57%.
Some travelers in the UAE are hesitating to move forward with their outbound travel plans following recent attacks launched by the Houthis on Saudi Arabia, but they are not cancelling their bookings entirely, according to industry officials who spoke to the Skift platform.
Rashida Zahid, Vice President of Operations at the UAE travel platform Musafir.com, said that inquiries for new holidays dropped slightly over the past two weeks amid escalating regional tension, adding that some of those who were planning to book are reconsidering, but those who completed their bookings are proceeding with their trips. She confirmed that no customer has cancelled so far, and that the company's bookings remain above last year's levels.
Trip.com reported that outbound flight bookings from the Gulf rose 57% year-on-year in summer 2026, and that over 80% of searches were for short- and medium-haul flights, with demand shifting toward Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China following improved visa procedures. On the other hand, Wego mentioned that UAE travelers booked October flights 25 days in advance compared to 23 days previously, while Trip.com stated that advance booking lead times dropped below 15 days.
The hotel sector sees the impact extending to long-haul destinations, as Pulse Hotels & Resorts stated that over a third of arrivals to the Maldives arrive via Gulf airlines, and full-year figures may not reach last year's level after two to three months of disruption. Airspace remains operational, as Flightradar24 data shows many flights crossing Saudi airspace normally, while StrategicAero Research noted that some UAE flights to Europe are taking the East Coast and Iraq route.
What Do These Terms Mean?
Advance Booking: The time period between purchasing a ticket and the travel date, used as an indicator of traveler confidence and demand stability.
Short- and Medium-Haul Flights: Flights within the region or to relatively close destinations, usually taking a few hours.
Gulf Airlines: National carriers in the Gulf states connecting the region to regional and global destinations through extensive transit networks.
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