[1/3] A group of tourists descends the stairs leading to the Damascus Gate, in Jerusalem’s Old City, December 11, 2022. REUTERS/Ammar Awad/ Acquire Licensing Rights
NEW YORK/LONDON, Nov 6 (Reuters) – Travelers are canceling or postponing planned vacations to the Middle East and North Africa due to fears of the Israel-Hamas conflict worsening, and as touring companies have also altered itineraries and canceled flights.
Leisure travel demand to the region was hit after Israel said the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas killed 1,400 people in southern Israel on Oct. 7, and Israel responded with air and ground strikes on Gaza that Palestinian authorities say have killed more than 9,000.
Major airlines extended temporary halts on flights into Israel through the end of the year while cruise operators are shifting itineraries to avoid neighboring countries as well. Travel operators say the war is affecting demand for travel to nearby nations including Egypt, Jordan and Turkey.
Travelers put off holiday trips to Middle East as Israel-Hamas war rages
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