Travellers in Thessaloniki are postponing trips abroad as the war spreads across the Middle East, leading to uncertainty and disrupting travel routes across the wider region. Local travel agents report an increase in cancellations and changes to bookings, particularly for long-haul journeys that involve stopovers at airports in or near the conflict zone.
According to tourism professionals in northern Greece, the changing security situation has swiftly affected traveller confidence. "Until the end of last week, before the new flare-up in the Middle East, we had a healthy flow of bookings," said Konstantinos Kourakos, treasurer of the Macedonia-Thrace Travel Agents Association. However, the situation rapidly shifted as images of crowded airports and stranded passengers circulated worldwide.
"When you see what is happening at airports, with thousands of tourists trying to return home, how is it possible not to hesitate about travelling?" Kourakos said. He noted that travellers who had booked trips to destinations such as Vietnam or Sri Lanka are now cancelling plans scheduled for the upcoming weeks. Others planning to travel during the Easter holiday are also reconsidering their trips.
"Tourism is closely connected to psychology," Kourakos explained, noting that uncertainty alone can be enough to deter travellers even when their final destination is not directly affected by the conflict.
A major logistical challenge for travel agencies involves refunds and itinerary modifications, particularly for cancelled trips to destinations in Asia that are geographically distant from the conflict but require connecting flights through airports in affected zones.
Beyond immediate disruptions, tourism professionals are also concerned about the long-term effects. Some in the industry believe that travellers' confidence in routes passing through the Middle East could decline for an extended period, potentially reshaping travel patterns.
By Lina Tsireka - adapted from Greek by Vassia Barba
