As the geopolitical storm continues to brew following military strikes in the Middle East, a deep sense of unease has gripped Ghana’s travel and tour. Industry players are warning that if the conflict drags on, the business of global ticketing and tourism, which has seen a significant post-pandemic resurgence, could suffer immense and potentially irreversible damage.
The Hub Crisis: Safety Amidst the Chaos
For many Ghanaian travel agencies, the conflict is not just a headline; it is a matter of physical safety for their clients and staff. CH Travel and Tours, a major player in the sector, recently sent a team of young Ghanaians to the Middle East just two weeks ago.
The CEO of CH Travel and Tours Andrew Ato Brakwah confirmed that the company has been in constant communication with the team. “We have placed calls to all of them, and we can confirm they are safe in their various locations, including Dubai and Qatar,” the CEO told The High Street Journal. Despite this immediate relief, the company remains extremely worried about the long-term operational impact as airspace remains volatile.
The “Dubai Factor”: A Threat to Ghana’s #1 Destination
The stakes for the Ghanaian travel industry are particularly high because Dubai has evolved into the number one tourist and business destination for Ghanaians. The CEO expressed fears that the conflict will leave a lasting psychological scar on travelers.
“Even after the smoke clears and the conflict subsides, people will be skeptical about traveling to Dubai,” he noted. This “crisis of confidence” poses a direct threat to the revenue streams of ticketing companies that rely heavily on the Accra-Dubai route for their survival.
Recruitment Hurdles and the “Family Veto”
The timing of the escalation is especially difficult for agencies involved in labour migration and educational tours. CH Travel and Tours is currently preparing to recruit a new cohort for the Middle East, but the CEO admits the task has become significantly challenging although he remains hopeful.
The company expects to undertake massive sensitization efforts to convince prospective travelers and their families. “Family members are now likely to discourage their relations from traveling to Dubai and other such destinations out of fear,” the CEO explained. Overcoming this domestic resistance will require a strategic shift in how these destinations are marketed in the coming months.
A Call for Strategic PR and Recovery
Looking ahead, the industry believes the burden of recovery lies partly with the destination authorities. The CEO of CH Travel and Tours emphasized that unless authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and surrounding regions embark on a massive global PR campaign to restore tourist interest, the allied businesses such as real estate that depend on this corridor will suffer for a long time.
Without a deliberate effort to project safety and stability, the travel and tour sector in Ghana, may find itself facing a prolonged period of low patronage and high operational costs.
Airlines across the Persian Gulf extended their suspension of operations as retaliatory strikes from Iran enter a second day, causing major disruptions at some of the world’s busiest airports.
Flight movements at Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, have been suspended indefinitely. Etihad Airways extended cancellations until 2 am on Monday, while Qatar Airways said all flights are still halted and that it would provide an update 9 am on Monday.
