Flight cancellations and travel alerts as a result of the US-Israel attack on Iran have severely hurt the tourism industry in the Middle East, but the effects of the conflict aren’t limited to the region.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Asian economies are among the worst affected by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, with countries including India, China, Japan and others across southeast Asia heavily reliant on imported oil that passes through the narrow waterway.
Now, some popular tourist destinations are enacting measures to limit fuel consumption in their nations.
Here’s what you need to know.
Fuel purchase limits in Sri Lanka – but not for hotels or tour operators
Sri Lanka received around 2.05 million foreign tourists in 2024, more than half of which came from Europe, including nearly 180,000 people from the UK and over 135,000 from Germany, according to the Sri Lankan Tourism Development Agency.
As a result of the crisis, the country has implemented a four-day working week for non-essential government officials, with Wednesday chosen as the additional day off.
Fuel purchase limits have also been put in place, but in an update to its Sri Lanka travel advice page, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has noted that “special arrangements will be implemented for tour operators and hotels to minimise disruption to tourism”.
Shops and restaurants to close early in Egypt
Egypt had a bumper year for tourism in 2025 thanks to the opening of the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, with 19 million international arrivals, up 20% year on year, according to the latest UN Tourism Barometer.
Aside from noting that escalation “could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts”, FCDO advice around Egypt remains the same currently. Namely, to avoid travel to the North Sinai Government which borders the Gaza Strip as well as the border with Libya.
Later this month, closing hours for shops, malls and restaurants will be changing as the country aims to reduce its energy consumption.
According to Egypt Today, closing times will be changed to 9 pm during the week, and to 10 pm on Thursdays and Fridays for a month from 28 March. Egypt’s working week runs from Sunday to Thursday, meaning the later hours fall on weekend evenings.
Taxis unable to get fuel in Thailand
Thailand welcomed nearly 33 million international arrivals last year, including 41,000 Brits, 41,000 Germans and 40,000 people from Spain.
Fuel shortages have meant that tourists are facing long waits at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok’s main airport, as less taxis are able to operate. Some 6,000 taxis typically serve the airport, but the number in service now stands at around 2,500, and many are unwilling to take on long distance routes for fear of running out of fuel, reports The Nation Thailand.
For those travelling on public transport, fuel prices are being capped and transport operators are being asked to not increase fares, reports the Bangkok Post.
