UAE Travelers Hesitate After Houthi Attacks But Aren’t Canceling

Photo Credit: Dubai International Airport. Dubai Airports Some UAE travelers are hesitating to go ahead with outbound trip plans, but not canceling them entirely after the recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, industry executives have told Skift. This follows a strong rebound after a spell of uncertainty. Gulf outbound travel slipped in the first half of the year as the U.S.-Iran war which began in late February disrupted airlines in the region. New vacation inquiries have dipped slightly over the past two weeks as regional tensions rise, said Rashida Zahid, vice president of operations at UAE travel platform Musafir.com. “Some people who were planning to book are having a rethink, but those who have made bookings are going ahead,” she said. No customers have canceled so far, she said. The company’s bookings are still running above last year’s levels, she added. Conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has intensified since the start of October. The Houthis have launched mi