Tours to Israel, Iran canceled amid escalating tensions after assassination

By Tu Nguyen August 5, 2024 | 10:58 pm PT

Vietnamese travel companies have canceled most tours to Israel, Palestine and Iran due to safety concerns in the Middle East after the assassination of a Hamas leader.

Max Vu, CEO of Fit Tour, which specializes in Middle Eastern and North African tours, announced the cancellation of a tour to Iran in October.

By Aug. 5 the group had been 60% full, and all had been refunded.

Max Vu, CEO of Fit Tour, in Iran. Photo courtesy of Max Vu

"I want to ensure the safety of guests and avoid risks for the business," Vu said.

Last October his company canceled four tours to Jordan-Israel-Palestine-Egypt after the Israel-Palestine conflict erupted, even though one group had been granted visas and was a week away from departure.

Tran Thi Bao Thu, director of marketing and communications at Vietlux Travel Company, said that tours of Israel, Palestine and Iran are highly specialized due to the region's frequent conflicts, and so most companies only organize them on customer request.

Vietlux has suspended all tours to these destinations.

Pham Anh Vu, sales director of Viet Media Travel Company, said a tour to Israel, Palestine or Iran costs up to VND100 million (US$3,968).

His company had halted all tours to Israel and Palestine last year while it has not yet received any bookings for tours to Iran.

Tours to other Middle Eastern destinations such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are indirectly affected by the instability in the region.

The number of customers booking the company's Dubai tours is decreasing sharply.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran's capital Tehran on July 31. Iran and its allies accused Israel of having performed the assassination, swearing revenge.

Iran said Monday that it does not seek to escalate regional tensions but feels the need to punish Israel to prevent further instability following the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week, according to Reuters.

Israeli officials have not claimed responsibility.

Several major airlines have suspended flights to and from Israel, while countries like France, the U.K. and the U.S. have warned their citizens against traveling to Iran and Israel.