Here are the destinations that are withstanding the impact of the war in the Gulf

If the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is creating not a few inconveniences for those in the affected areas and those passing through the Emirates, international tensions and the climate of uncertainty are beginning to produce the first effects on tourism as well, with travel cancellations and slowed bookings. With Easter just a few weeks away and the months of May and June approaching, when tourist flows traditionally increase, concern is growing over a possible slowdown in arrivals from abroad. There have been several cancellations for travel to and from the Gulf area countries directly involved (Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia) but also neighbouring countries such as Egypt, Turkey and Jordan. Mabrian's Perception of Security Index (PSI) estimates that the crisis in the Middle East threatens to burn tens of billions in tourism spending, hitting the economies of these countries' sectors hard.

On the other hand, there is a rapid diversion of tourist flows towards destinations considered safer, in particular to the East (Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines) and South-East (Vietnam), the Mediterranean but especially Latin American destinations are attracting the attention of French, Italian, German and US travellers. In particular, Peru and Brazil are emerging as the most sought-after alternatives. It is precisely for this area of the world that some forecast a trend similar to that which emerged from Marriott Bonvoy's Ticket to Travel 2025 analysis conducted on a sample of 21,374 adults in ten markets and over 2,000 travellers in Italia, which saw Europe as the main destination (65%), followed by the Americas (10%).

According to estimates by Assoviaggi Confesercenti - Cst, processed on the basis of Istat data and research by companies in the sector, every year an average of about 2.5 million tourists arrive in Italia from South America for a total of about 7 million overnight stays. On the outgoing side, on the other hand, there are an estimated 500,000 Italians heading to South American countries for tourism, visits to relatives or work. Towards these countries, demand seems to be holding at the moment and there are no security fears, according to Assoviaggi.

Confirmation that South America is one of the destinations of choice for Italians comes from the ongoing booking confirmations of Air Europa, the Spanish airline among the leading carriers in Latin America. "In 2025 Air Europa carried a total of more than 13 million passengers, achieving significant growth for the fourth consecutive year. As far as the trend of the most popular destinations from Italia in the last two years is concerned - points out Renato Scaffidi, country manager in Italia - the best performances continue to be recorded: Dominican Republic (with stopovers at the airports of Las Americas, Punta Cana and Santiago de los Caballeros), Peru and Cuba, followed by Colombia, Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil. In the first months of 2026, a general increase in bookings can be observed, thanks in part to the increase in capacity from the Italian market, with the introduction of the third daily frequency from the airports of Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino starting in June, for a total of 56 weekly flights from Italia to Madrid'. During July and August, flights will increase to 62 by introducing operations from Bologna and Alghero (3 flights per week from each airport). Passengers departing from Italia will also have the possibility of reaching South Africa via the Madrid Barajas hub, with 3 weekly connections to Johannesburg from 24 June. "From Italia to Latin America," Scaffidi adds, "the growth percentages were 8% higher in 2025 than in 2024 (2024 had marked +5%) and expectations for 2026 are to far exceed 2025.

This year Air Europa celebrates its first 40 years in business, which began in 1986 with charter flights between Spain and the UK, then in 1991 bought by Juan José Hidalgo in 1998 it was integrated into the Globalia Corporación Empresarial S.A. group (hotels, travel agencies and tour operating). With the liberalisation of the Spanish air market in 1993, Air Europa started scheduled flights, breaking Iberia's monopoly. In the following years it expanded its domestic and international network, developing the long-haul sector with flights to Europe, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and became one of the leading carriers in Latin America. From the end of the 1990s, the fleet was renewed with new generation aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and 767 and later the Airbus A330. In 2000, the company debuted in Italia from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa, and in 2010 it joined SkyTeam, offering passengers a global network of destinations with frequent flyer programmes and the benefits of SkyPriority (fast track, lounge, priority bag, etc.). Air Europa now flies to more than 55 destinations worldwide and occupies a strategic position at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport hub, connecting Europe with Central and South America, the Caribbean and major airports such as New York and Miami. Business Class on the B787 Dreamliner offers reclining seats comfort, privacy and its flagship is the onboard menu by multi-starred Chef Martin Berasategui. A constant commitment to sustainability is worth mentioning: Air Europa is among the most efficient airlines according to international studies by Atmosfair with its "Flight2030" programme, CO2 emissions have already been reduced by 21% compared to 2015 levels.