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Iran's tourism and accommodation sector has taken a nosedive in the wake of the recent 12-day war, with online booking platforms now recording all-time lows in demand.
An analysis of travelers' data by booking website Jabama shows that, during the days of heightened insecurity, travel and accommodation trends shifted considerably. While an exodus from Tehran fueled a rush of last-minute searches in northern cities, total demand nosedived amidst internet outages and mounting uncertainty.
Searches Plummet 67% Amid Internet Outages
At the beginning of the clashes, searches for homes on Jabama fell by 50%. As the fighting escalated and security worries rose in Tehran, searches briefly surged by 125%. But once nationwide internet outages took hold, searches plummeted by 67%, with the market effectively half-paralyzed.
During the same period, last-minute bookings more than tripled, surpassing even holiday demand during Nowruz periods. Cancellation and refund requests also grew — 64% more than for June holidays. In a surprise turn, the average length of stay rose to more than two days, and the average group size per booking rose by 9% to around four guests.
Hosts Slash Rates to Attract Travelers
Jabama hoteliers responded by cutting prices in an attempt to lure hesitant tourists. Prices dropped by 27% compared to Nowruz and 13% compared to June holidays. Despite the efforts, the online hotel market shrank by nearly 70% after the war stopped, hitting its lowest level in recent months.
Shift in Top Destinations
Jabama's statistics also indicate significant changes in top destinations. Kordan topped the list, relegating Tehran to third place after it had been in first place in 2024. Ramsar climbed from third to second, and Chalous from tenth to fifth. Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shiraz — all among last year's top ten — dropped out of the list entirely.
Tourism operators have said that the precipitous drop-off and altered travel plans constitute one of the most severe disruptions the country's tourism sector has suffered in recent memory. Analysts warn that the recovery will be predicated upon the return of long-term stability, both in terms of security and dependable internet connectivity.
