‘Reassurance and protection’ key for Middle East bounce-back, say industry leaders

Industry leaders have emphasised the importance of “reassurance, flexibility and protection” for securing future bookings amid recovering geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. 

The FCDO relaxed its guidance on travel to the Middle East on June 18, no longer advising against all-but-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. 

At Aspire’s Leaders of Luxury conference on June 22, delegates discussed the impact of this on clients’ decisions to travel to and via the Gulf region. 

Natasha Towey, managing director at Carrier, said the reopening of the region has prompted a “shift of both agents and clients being a lot more sensible”.

She said: “They’re not just asking ‘where can I go? Where can I stay? How much will it cost?’ They want to know who is going to be taking care of them. They want certainty, reassurance, flexibility and protection.”

Following the "lessons learned" throughout the crisis, Carrier has introduced a Certainty Promise to offer agents and their clients "greater confidence and clarity" when booking.

Gemma Antrobus, owner of Haslemere Travel (pictured), echoed this sentiment, adding: “I think clear lines of information and specific details about how they will be looked after, as well as knowing that they’re 100% financially protected and there’s the right people in resort to look after them will be more important than ever.”

As well as reassuring guests, Antrobus stressed the opportunities for agents to build trust with clients. 

She said: “Working with real people who give you reassurance and real information is hugely valuable at the moment and that’s something we need to lean into more.

“Agents can use their experience with what’s happened in the last few months and what they did at the time for those who were affected to reassure their clients.”