Sluggish recovery for Middle East groups sector

W HILE the initial disruption caused by the Middle East conflict has eased, recovery in the groups and incentives sector remains cautious. Although flight schedules have largely stabilised and services have resumed, traveller confidence has been slower to return. “Our data is showing recovery. A lot of the companies that had no-fly policies in place for the Gulf have removed those. The operational side has recovered well, even if sentiment is catching up more slowly,” said Lance Nkwe, Business Leader for FCM Meetings & Events South Africa. He told Travel News that confidence in transit had recovered substantially. However, confidence in the region as an incentive destination is lower and those who do choose it are opting for shorter trips. Unpredictable Janet Aldworth, MD of Sure Voyager Travel, said the unpredictability of the situation meant bookings through the Middle East were still considered high risk. “At the moment, the situation is completely volatile and unpredictable. We at Voyager Travel don’t book groups to go into or via the Middle East at the moment. We can’t take that risk. Until there’s a proper peace deal signed and it runs for a while without any change, then we will not send anybody through the Middle East.” Carla Napoli, MD of Rewards Incentives and Conference Management said clients were still nervous and groups were not willing to book with Middle Eastern airlines at the moment. “Most of the people that had bookings in advance have already changed their bookings and I don’t think anybody that’s making a new booking is using airlines through the Middle East.