Tourists Stranded in Israel Amid Escalating Conflict with Iran

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - More than 40,000 tourists are stranded in Israel as the country faces a worsening situation amidst its conflict with Iran. Most airports are closed and flights are canceled nationwide. Fear is escalating. Missile sirens echo through the once bustling streets of the old city.

Israel has become a global travel nightmare. The skies are closed. Escape routes are narrowing. People are trapped in bomb shelters, waiting for the situation to become safer.

Like in many other countries, this is the beginning of the summer holiday season in Israel. But everything is in disarray. Tourists in the country are taken aback by the rapidly intensifying war between Israel and Iran. The situation has turned Israel's major tourist destinations into high alert zones.

Tour and Travel World reported on Sunday, June 15, 2025, that the situation quickly deteriorated after Israel's sudden airstrike on Iran early Friday. Tehran retaliated with missile attacks, leading Israel to close its airspace and suspend all commercial flights in and out. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport remains closed with no official schedule for reopening.

Tourists who initially planned day trips to the Old City of Jerusalem or excursions to the beaches of Tel Aviv can now only rush to bomb shelters accompanied by the sound of sirens, while checking travel locations to find alternative escape routes. Plans to nap in historic hotels or modern resorts are shattered, as bomb shelters become the most frequented rooms.

In Jerusalem, Iranian ballistic missiles light up the night sky like a meteor shower. In Tel Aviv, some districts are hit directly, causing locals and tourists to scramble for shelter. Even recreational events like the renowned Tel Aviv Pride Parade were canceled at the last minute. Hotels, once fully booked for seasonal tourists, are now uncertain places. Museums are closed. Shops shuttered. Access to the Old City of Jerusalem has been closed to non-residents. Israel's vibrant tourism pulse has dimmed under the shadow of airstrikes.

The closure of Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international gateway, has triggered a chain reaction across the travel industry. International airlines have halted operations, and there are hardly any options to book alternative flights. Tourists are forced to stay longer, leading to increased accommodation costs with no certainty of when they can return home.

For tourists seeking to escape, one option is a land crossing to Jordan. However, this route is limited, expensive, and not without risks. Even if successful, this route only takes passengers as far as Amman. Tourists still have to find international flights. The cost has skyrocketed, and the schedule remains unclear.

For Israel, tourism contributes nearly 3 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP). With 40,000 stranded tourists and thousands more canceling visits, the tourism sector has plummeted sharply. The ripple effects also impact hospitality, transportation, food services, and even cultural events that rely on visitor income.

Governments worldwide are also issuing warnings. Many are now advising their citizens to avoid travel to Israel and its surrounding areas, citing missile threats, military attacks, and an unstable security environment.

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