Talant Ozokeiev, the founder of one of Kyrgyzstan's leading tourism companies, reported that due to the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, clients have begun to express concerns about air travel, especially to the countries of the Persian Gulf.
“People are afraid of flying, especially to destinations like Dubai, Qatar, and Kuwait. The sale of tours to these regions has been completely suspended,” he emphasized.Tour companies are now actively searching for new routes to transfer planned trips to the Persian Gulf countries, primarily to Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Hainan.
Ozokeiev noted that the current situation has affected tour prices. For example, the cost of trips to Egypt has fallen, while prices for some destinations in Southeast Asia are rising.
“Prices for tours to Turkey have also decreased, as there are rumors about the possible involvement of the country in the conflict. This also raises concerns among some tourists,” he added.
Tour operators are working to minimize risks for their clients. If tourists remain abroad, companies help extend their stay and provide financial assistance until their return.
According to his forecasts, in the upcoming season, destinations in the Middle East may be almost lost.
“The season from March to May for these destinations is already essentially lost. I believe that until autumn, interest in the Middle East will be minimal, while tourists may focus on Turkey, Egypt, and Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam,” he added.The situation also affects inbound tourism, noted Sergey Glukhoverov, the founder of another tourism company in Kyrgyzstan.
According to him, many foreign tourists reached Kyrgyzstan through transit hubs such as Doha and Dubai, and the closure of airports, as well as changes in routes, have already led to trip cancellations.
The United Arab Emirates has recently become an important transit hub for international flights, and changes in routes may lead to increased ticket prices.
“If the circle of available transit destinations shrinks, it will increase the load on the remaining airlines, which will inevitably lead to a rise in ticket prices. Given the already high cost of flights to Kyrgyzstan from distant countries, this could make the trip even more expensive than the tour itself,” explained Glukhoverov.
At the moment, tour companies are striving to help their partners and tourists find alternative routes, for example, through Istanbul or arriving in Almaty with subsequent transfer to Bishkek.
“Further events are beyond our control. We hope that the conflict will end soon and that the region will return to peaceful life,” expressed Glukhoverov's hope.
Industry experts predict that developments in the Middle East could have a significant impact on the tourism season of 2026.
The Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of Kyrgyzstan noted that they are closely monitoring international events and their impact on the tourism market.
“Tourism is an area that is very sensitive to geopolitical changes and fluctuations in international transport logistics,” the agency added.
According to the department's information, data from tourist guides and operators indicate a decrease in the number of inquiries and cancellations of tours from clients from Middle Eastern countries.
“The reason for this is the current unstable conditions in the region and changes in air traffic, which affect travelers' plans,” the department explained.
The agency also noted that many Middle Eastern countries have traditionally served as major transit aviation hubs.
“For example, a significant number of routes passed through Dubai, and any changes in air logistics or increases in air ticket prices can indirectly affect tourist flows,” the department added.
However, no significant changes in demand for trips to Kyrgyzstan have been observed for other destinations so far.
“Interest in our country from tourists from other regions remains stable,” the department emphasized.The tourist season in Kyrgyzstan traditionally begins in about a month, and preparations for its opening are actively underway.
“We continue to work with international markets, partners, and tour operators to maintain and increase tourist flow. We are also in dialogue with representatives of the tourism industry for prompt responses to possible changes and the development of alternative logistical and marketing solutions to ensure stability in the industry,” the Department of Tourism concluded.
