Iran conflict hits tourism but shifts Gulf weddings to Raj

Jaipur: The state's tourism sector witnessed a rebound in foreign arrivals in Jan and Feb, but optimism was tempered by fresh geopolitical turbulence. The ongoing Iran conflict disrupted air travel, leading to booking cancellations, particularly from Gulf countries, while domestic sentiment also weakened amid a stock market meltdown.March, expected to be a promising month, instead saw expectations upended.
"After buoyant Jan and Feb, March was expected to be better, but the conflict disturbed those calculations. Even among travellers from Europe and the US, nearly 30% cancelled their trips," said Ranvijay Singh, senior vice-president of the Federation of Rajasthan Hotels.Despite the immediate dampener, Singh said destination weddings originally planned in Dubai, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are being shifted to Rajasthan. He expressed confidence that once the conflict subsides, international inflows will rebound, as travellers may avoid the Gulf and reschedule trips to alternative destinations, including India.Foreign tourist arrivals in Rajasthan showed early signs of sustained revival since the beginning of 2026, driven by aggressive overseas promotion and shifting global travel dynamics. The state tourism department is currently showcasing Rajasthan's heritage and experiential offerings at ITB Berlin, one of the world's largest travel industry gatherings.Stakeholders expect this visibility to translate into steady growth in international bookings during the upcoming tourist season.Since 2024, the department intensified global outreach through roadshows, partnerships with international tour operators, and participation in leading travel marts. These efforts are now bearing fruit, with confirmed itineraries and advance bookings pointing to renewed momentum."Rajasthan regained strong visibility in key European markets. The response at ITB Berlin was very encouraging, and we are seeing this convert into enquiries and bookings," Singh said."We expect foreign arrivals not only to recover fully but to surpass previous benchmarks in the next cycle."The sector staged a comeback in 2024, with foreign visits returning to pre-pandemic levels. However, 2025 brought fresh challenges, as geopolitical uncertainties dampened long-haul travel sentiment, leading to a 6% decline compared to the previous year.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !