Skift Travel Health Index: Middle East Recovery Stalls Again
The Skift Travel Health Index stood at 99 in July, down 1% year-on-year. The Middle East and Africa fell back to 94 in July after recovering to the benchmark level of 100 in June. Skift attributes the reversal to renewed security concerns, travel advisories and flight suspensions, which weakened traveler confidence and made it difficult to convert interest into bookings. Vacation rentals was the only sector in the region to perform above the benchmark, gaining 14% year-on-year. Skift also reported this week on the potential lost year for Gulf tourism.
Impact and considerations
Travel demand recovery in the Middle East and Africa is being held back by security concerns and flight suspensions, leaving accommodation providers to rebuild demand and recover pricing power; companies should watch regional booking trends.
Key points
- The Skift Travel Health Index stood at 99 in July, down 1% year-on-year.
- The Middle East and Africa fell back to 94 in July after recovering to the benchmark level of 100 in June.
- Skift attributes the reversal to renewed security concerns, travel advisories and flight suspensions, weakening traveler confidence and making it difficult to convert interest into bookings.
- Vacation rentals was the only sector in the region to perform above the benchmark, gaining 14% year-on-year.
- Skift reported this week on the potential lost year for Gulf tourism.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- Skift
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 11 Sept 2026, 21:32
- Page published
- 12 Sept 2026, 00:03
- Last updated
- 11 Sept 2026, 21:32
- Original links
- Skift Feed：Middle East's Recovery Stalled Again: Skift Travel Health Index (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 11 Sept 2026, 21:32