Demand is still there for travel this year

The reaction to a social media post by Inspire Europe boss Lisa Henning about celebrity influencers running ‘tone-deaf’ recruitment events for part-time travel agents during the Iran war was reflective of a long-running debate in the trade.

But it also shone an even brighter light on the efforts of those agents and operators – regardless of the company they represent – who continue to work tirelessly to support their clients during the crisis.

The immediate focus of those efforts was on customers directly impacted by the conflict in the UAE and other destinations in the region.

But even greater volumes remain beyond those destinations, with limited alternative flights available to replace services cancelled by the Gulf carriers.

Regardless of the resumption of flights by those airlines, current Foreign Office advice means transiting is out of the question without negating insurance policies.

And that leaves a perfect storm for long-haul specialists with business to the east, with customers and operators racking up significant additional costs, flight prices spiralling and huge uncertainty over the fulfilment of future bookings.

Amid this complex logistical web, the industry is also attempting to maintain forward trading and is contending with price increases driven by everything from the cost of jet fuel to the laws of supply and demand.

But despite this sobering array of challenges, there remains hope in the results of a consumer poll conducted on behalf of Travel Weekly at the weekend that suggests demand remains strong for this year.

Comment originally from Travel Weekly, March 19 2026 edition