Tourism shifts towards Spain as safe destination amid U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran

Record ID: 2367493

  • Title: Tourism shifts towards Spain as safe destination amid U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran
  • Date: 20th March 2026
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (MARCH 20, 2026) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** MONITOR SCREEN SHOWING ANUTIN GREETING COLLEAGUES DURING CEREMONY ANUTIN WALKING UP TO PODIUM AFTER CEREMONY (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) THAI PRIME MINISTER, ANUTIN CHARNVIRAKUL, SAYING: "I promise to use the best of my knowledge, abilities, and experiences to perform my duty as prime minister fo
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Easter Iran Iran conflict Mediterranean Spain crisis tourism tourists
  • Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS, SPAIN
  • City: VARIOUS LOCATIONS, SPAIN
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA004555319032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:The war launched by the United States and Israel on Iran is beginning to reshape travel plans ahead of the Easter holidays, with Mediterranean destinations emerging as potential beneficiaries as travellers reassess security risks.
    According to travel data intelligence firm 'Mabrian', uncertainty in the Middle East is prompting a shift in what it calls “inspirational demand.”
    Carlos Cendra, spokesperson for Mabrian, said on Thursday (March 19) travellers who had been considering destinations in the Gulf are now looking elsewhere.
    In Spain, beaches and city centres are already preparing for the seasonal influx, as tourists look for alternatives to destinations closer to the conflict.
    The Middle East conflict, now well into its third ​week, has thrown aviation into turmoil, with flights cancelled or rerouted thousands of miles and most airspace over the Gulf still closed amid fears of missile and ​drone attacks.
    According to Cendra, Spain appears to be leading that shift with the country currently being the top recipient of this diverted interest.
    “Spain would be the country, the destination receiving the most of that diverted inspirational demand, followed by Italy, Greece, then also Morocco is performing really well in terms of increase since all these conflicts started,” he said.
    However, Mabrian warned that potential interest does not automatically translate into confirmed bookings. Cendra said the firm is closely monitoring whether this movement turns into actual travel, noting that prices and the evolution of the conflict will be key factors.
    European airline chiefs warned on Thursday that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East would lead to higher air fares as flight cancellations drive up costs and aviation fuel prices, with some carriers even flagging risks to jet fuel supplies.
    (Production: Elena Rodriguez)
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