The war in Iran has caused a staggering amount of flight delays and cancellations in the Middle Eastern region. The distressing situation for travelers follows closely on the heels of delays and cancellations in Mexico caused by cartel-related violence.

Virginia Tech hospitality and tourism professors Mahmood Khan and Nancy McGehee emphasized that those intending to go abroad for spring break or family vacations should exercise caution and plan their trips meticulously in the coming weeks.

“What we are currently witnessing is unprecedented and very unsettling for frequent travelers or those traveling with families,” said Khan.

“Even your domestic ‘see the U.S.A.’ car trip is going to cost more when you factor in higher gas prices, hotel room rates, food, and attractions,” said McGehee.

Khan and McGehee shared their insights into what the ever-changing developments could mean for tourists and businesses.

Mahmood Khan on contingency plans for travelers and businesses

“The biggest culprit is the fear of the unknown and the uncertainty in an unfamiliar location and circumstance. Getting stranded in an unknown city is very unsettling. For a tired traveler, the worst situation is when they do not know how and when they will be able to proceed to their destination.  

“Hospitality businesses at airports and seaports are prepared for such situations since they are used to unexpected delays. However, the volume and duration of traffic, particularly when dealing with international travelers, can cause unexpected problems. For example, restaurants may not have enough ingredients or food to cater to babies and children or those expecting special foods because of health or religious affiliations,” he said.  

“Restaurant businesses should always have workable contingency plans, such as using foods that can be prepared quickly with a limited number of ingredients and served easily to large numbers of guests. Hotels can fully utilize spaces by using movable beds, as well as providing hot and cold beverages. The best solution for management is to use patience and empathy — which becomes one of the most desired management skills in such situations.

“It’s best to select destinations carefully, avoiding regions where there are potential problems. Particularly for pleasure travel and traveling with family and children, it is important to plot every step of the journey carefully since even a small mishap may hinder full enjoyment,” Khan said.

Nancy McGehee on how the ripple effects affect travelers everywhere

“This is not a short-term issue; the disruptions aren’t going to go away soon. And even if you aren’t headed toward the Middle East, you can be impacted. Strikes in Iran and other parts of the Middle East have forced airlines to cancel thousands of flights. Tens of thousands of flights have been canceled since the conflict in Iran began Saturday and subsequent attacks by Iran and responses by the U.S. and Israel continue to impact other parts of the region. This absolutely has ripple effects beyond the affected regions.

“Among those effects: Fewer airplanes, less availability. If an airline is currently located in a no-fly zone, that puts them out of commission globally. And not just no-fly; no-sail as well. Cruise ships have also been impacted by the conflict,” she said. 

“Traveling will cost you more. Airspace closures and no-fly zones leave travelers with few options, and re-routing around no-fly/no-sail zones takes more fuel, which can impact prices. The response in terms of oil prices from Saudi Arabia and other major oil producing countries will affect everyone’s travel costs.

“No matter where you are flying, allow lots of extra time, and be sure to pack your patience. Current uncertainty with TSA PreCheck and Global Entry is impacting check-in times. Allow at least two hours from check-in for domestic flights and at least three hours for international flights. The same goes for connecting flights. Also check the on-time probabilities for the flights you choose. If the probability is low, allow for more time,” McGehee said.

“Finally, if you do get stuck, make the most of it,” she said. “Snowed in? Turn it into a winter wonderland vacation! Long wait in the airport? Book a massage or facial if the airport has facilities.”

About Khan
Mahmood Khan is a professor in the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Virginia Tech in the greater Washington, D.C., area. With a career spanning more than 40 years, Khan is an internationally recognized scholar in food service management, hospitality franchising, and consumer behavior. He has authored 10 books, published extensively in top-tier journals, and led global workshops and training in over 30 countries. Read more about Mahmood Khan here.

About McGehee
Nancy G. McGehee is the R.B. Pamplin Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management for the Howard Feiertag Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management in Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. Her research and teaching emphasis has been on innovation in community-centered tourism development, domestically and internationally. She is ranked in the top 2% of researchers in her field. A two-time Fulbright Specialist Program Awardee, she was cited as an Outstanding Woman in Travel Research by Women in Travel and Tourism International (WITTI). Read more about Nancy McGehee here.

Schedule an interview  
To schedule an interview, contact Mike Allen in the media relations office at mike.allen@vt.edu or 540-400-1700.

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