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Geopolitics has once again become a central element in the choices made by travel planners. Growing tensions in the Middle East - with the involvement of Iran, Israel and the United States - and the war in Ukraine, already in its third year, have brought a new focus to travelers' choices, redrawing international tourism maps and putting a strain on global air links logistics.
The situation not only affects countries directly involved in the conflicts, but also has a knock-on effect on routes, stopovers and journey times worldwide.
The Middle East is one of the main hubs of intercontinental air traffic between Europe and Asia. Each military escalation is therefore likely to have cascading effects on routes, lengthening journey times or rendering essential stopovers inaccessible. Dubai, for example, experienced severe disruptions that grounded many transit passengers, forced to wait for updates at the airport with no certainty of their connections. This situation caught many travellers unawares, prompting airlines and tour operators to urgently review their operational plans.
The following countries are currently not recommended, or should be avoided altogether:
- Iran - a destination formally to be avoided. European nationals already in the country are advised to leave by land, considering crossing the borders with Azerbaijan, Turkey, Turkmenistan or Armenia.
- Lebanon - highly unstable situation, travel to be postponed
- Iraq - not recommended for security reasons
- Israel - travel suspended due to ongoing conflict
- West Bank - high-risk area, avoid
- Oman, Qatar and United Arab Emirates - identified by tourism professionals as destinations indirectly affected by regional tensions.
Private operators are also adapting, cancelling departures to these areas for the next few weeks and suspending upcoming programs pending further developments. The situation is constantly evolving, and even countries which today seem to be on the bangs of the conflict could soon be affected.
Destinations far from war zones remain accessible, but at the price of a few extra precautions when choosing a flight. For the time being, the golden rule is to opt for direct flights or flights with stopovers in Europe, avoiding the major Middle Eastern hubs wherever possible. Destinations considered safe and easily accessible include:
- Iceland
- Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal)
- Morocco
- Canada
- Peru and other South American destinations
- Japan
- Thailand
- Bali (Indonesia)
The last three require extra care in flight planning, but remain accessible provided you choose the right routes. To reach Asia without crossing the most sensitive areas of the Middle East, one option is to turn to Chinese airlines or Turkish Airlines, which operate via alternative hubs such as Shanghai, Beijing or Istanbul. Alternatively, those who prefer European carriers can board from London or Paris airports, from where direct flights to Asia depart in around nine to ten hours.
For short- and medium-haul destinations, there is a growing interest in easily accessible locations, also ideal for four- or five-day stays. American destinations, from Canada to Peru, on the other hand, attract those who want to get away from the instability of Europe and the Middle East without giving up a strong travel experience.
Calling on specialized operators offers a real safety net: real-time information, assistance in the event of unforeseen circumstances and the flexibility to modify the itinerary should the situation change. Setting off with an organization behind you means securing the support of someone who is constantly monitoring changing scenarios and can intervene rapidly in the event of an emergency. In such a fluid and unpredictable context, one watchword is essential: stay informed, before departure and throughout your trip, by consulting official and regularly updated sources.
(©GreenMe.it 2026 / Managing Editor: Selma Keshkire - The Press Junction / Picture: ©Unsplash)