The Middle East conflict travel disruption is affecting Australians’ international travel plans in 2026, particularly for UK and European holidays with transits through Gulf nations. But the industry message remains: reroute, don’t cancel outright.
The Middle East conflict travel disruption is reshaping how Australians approach international travel, impacting flight routes, increasing travel costs and creating uncertainty, but it also reinforces the value of expert guidance.
Despite Gulf nation airspace closures, there are minimal effects, if any, in the luxury travel segment with only seven per cent of clients cancelling outright and premium cruise lines reporting cruise cancellations are “very low”.
A new Money.com.au survey shows 48 per cent of Aussies with a planned 2026 overseas trip have changed, delayed or cancelled their plans since the Middle East conflict began.
One-quarter of respondents have delayed a trip, while 12 per cent have cancelled their plans. Another 11 per cent changed their destination, route or layover due to the Middle East conflict travel disruption.
The remaining 52 per cent of Aussie travellers said they would go ahead with their travel plans in 2026.
Importantly for travel advisors, the survey also revealed that younger travellers are the most impacted with 61 per cent of Gen Z altering their plans compared to 57 per cent of Millennials, 43 per cent of Gen X and 36 per cent of Baby Boomers.
Older Australians are more likely to stick to their original plans with 64 per cent of Baby Boomers and 57 per cent of Gen X reporting no change to travel plans since the conflict began, compared to 43 per cent of Millennials and 39 per cent of Gen Z.
Among impacted travellers, 46 per cent had planned to travel through the Middle East (either as a destination or transit point), while 54 per cent had alternate routes.
Travel experts and industry bodies – such as the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) and the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) – have advised travellers to reroute instead of cancelling their 2026 international travel plans.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The Middle East conflict travel disruption underscores the growing importance of travel advisors as clients increasingly rely on expert guidance to navigate risk, reroute journeys and travel with confidence in uncertain times.
