PETALING JAYA: With the escalating tensions in the Middle East, there have been flight cancellations, closures of several airports and an increasing fear of flying abroad.
Malaysia’s tourism industry, however, is confident the country’s diversified visitor base will help cushion any potential impact on the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
The conflict has disrupted thousands of flights, prompting travellers to adopt a “wait-and-see” approach, said Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Nigel Wong.
“Malaysia, however, continues to be seen as a safe and welcoming destination for Muslim travellers, which helps sustain confidence,” he said yesterday.
He noted that the Middle East remains an important niche market, particularly for Muslim-friendly travel, with visitors staying longer and spending more on family holidays, shopping and medical tourism.
“This segment is important, especially during peak travel seasons such as the summer holidays and school breaks in Gulf countries,” he said.
The next school break is from March 16-29.
Wong, however, said Malaysia’s diversified source markets could provide resilience.
“China, India and Asean countries continue to show strong growth potential and can help cushion any temporary slowdown. Asean travellers, particularly from Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand, already make up a significant share of arrivals.”
On airfare concerns, Wong said: “As long as connectivity to Malaysia remains competitive, we do not expect airfare changes alone to significantly deter travellers.”
Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (Mita) president Mint Leong said the conflict has already caused some cancellations.
“Mid-March is normally the Iranian New Year, which is a peak travel season, but now there are no flights, so tourists have cancelled or postponed their plans,” she said.
Leong noted that Middle Eastern travel typically slows during Ramadan before picking up again after Hari Raya and during the summer holiday season.
“Middle Eastern travellers are big spenders, and the region is an important market for Malaysia, with about 300,000 visitors on average annually,” she said.
Other travellers are also reassessing their plans.
“If the conflict continues, it could be more difficult for travellers from Europe, the United States and Africa to reach Malaysia,” she said.
Malaysian Tourism Agency Association president Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khalid Harun said geopolitical conflicts have historically disrupted tourism campaigns, but the industry has learnt to adapt.
“Crises are not new to tourism. We have seen major disruptions before, including during Visit Malaysia 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit,” said the chairman of the World Islamic Tourism and Trade Expo 2026, which is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur this August.
He said Malaysia continues to be well-positioned as a halal tourism destination.
“Malaysia has long been recognised for its Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem, making it attractive for visitors from Muslim-majority countries,” he said.
While disruptions could affect travel flow, particularly for routes connecting through Gulf hubs, he said “travellers will still look for alternative destinations that are safe and accessible”.
“Malaysia and the wider South-East Asian region could still benefit. Malaysia and Asean countries can position themselves as safe destinations,” he added.
Inbound Tourism Alliance founder Uzaidi Udanis said Malaysia’s tourism sector is likely to remain resilient as long as the conflict does not escalate.
Travellers, he said, often adapt quickly, redirecting plans when destinations become less accessible.
“After the Sept 11 attacks, many Middle Eastern travellers began looking for alternative destinations, and Malaysia became a popular choice.
“Sometimes crises do not destroy tourism, they simply change travel patterns,” he added.
He said technology could also help operators respond quickly to disruptions.
“Tools such as AI can help tourism companies react to cancellations by suggesting alternative markets or last-minute packages, making the sector more agile.”
