Salam Shaqdeeh, Intrepid’s general manager for Egypt and Jordan, reflects on the situation in the Middle East and how travellers can support communities across the region.
The ongoing crisis in the Middle East is truly devastating. And globally, many of us are feeling the impact.
While many countries in the region (also known as SWANA – South West Asia and North Africa) and beyond are not directly affected by the war in Iran, fear and uncertainty often travel faster than facts. A single news story can overshadow decades of stability and openness – and I’ve seen how challenging this can be for places like Egypt and Jordan, where I oversee Intrepid’s operations.
When headlines focus on geopolitics, surging fuel prices and travel disruption, it’s easy to forget the people on the ground, whose livelihoods depend on whether visitors choose to come – or not.
Intrepid has been running trips in the Middle East for more than two decades, with over 100 staff and leaders and seven local partners in Egypt and Jordan alone. Together, we’ve navigated periods of instability before – by prioritising the safety of our travellers, leaders and experience providers and staying connected to the communities who make our adventures so meaningful.
Egypt is open
We paused all Intrepid trips in Egypt, Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia on 4 March 2026 and resumed trips in Egypt, given the low risk and unchanged travel advisories, about a month later.
Resuming our small-group trips in Egypt after this pause was a great relief, not only for me, but many others. One Intrepid leader in Egypt, Mohammed, told me that welcoming his first group back felt like ‘turning the lights back on’ after so much uncertainty. He’s been working with Intrepid for almost a decade but for him and his colleagues, leading trips isn’t just a job – it’s about purpose and connection; it’s how they share their identity and heritage with the world. In this region especially, leaders play a vital role in translating culture, history and daily life in a way that builds understanding. They also foster trust, making travellers feel safe and welcome while ensuring communities feel respected.
And travellers are feeling it. Visitors this month from the US, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand and more are telling us they’ve felt supported, cared for and deeply connected to the people they’ve met.
It’s a sign of what’s possible for those countries still waiting to reopen. In Jordan, this kind of exchange is vital for people like Om Mohammad, a family-run business owner from Petra, who, until recent weeks, regularly welcomed Intrepid groups into her home to share a traditional Jordanian meal. She recently told me, ‘When travellers don’t come, things for us become awkwardly silent.’ Like so many others, she relies on tourism to support her family and provide education and healthcare for her children. Hearing that puts everything into perspective.
Finding hope in Jordan
I am originally from Palestine but have lived and worked in Jordan for many years. For me, Jordan is a place of extraordinary generosity and warmth. Coping with conflict as it unfolds in neighbouring countries and in our skies is never easy. But we are resilient – we have to be. There’s always hope, even in uncertain times.
With so few travellers on the ground in Jordan lately, our Intrepid Foundation partner in Amman, Ezwitti, was facing a challenge. During the holy month of Ramadan, the pay-it-forward restaurant’s founder, Mahmoud Nabulsi, had hoped to provide free meals for 7000 people in need. But his not-for-profit relies on support from international visitors, who have had to postpone or cancel their trips.
We are resilient – we have to be. There’s always hope, even in uncertain times.
Fortunately, he was able to use some of the AUD 50,000 Impact Grant awarded by The Intrepid Foundation in 2025, much of which came from past traveller donations, to cover the shortfall – and went on to feed over 9000 people. In the future, with continued support from travellers, Mahmoud plans to reach more people in the community by taking Ezwitti on the road with a mobile kitchen.
Ezwitti is an inspiring example of Jordanian hospitality – a tradition that is deeply rooted in our culture. I get emotional when I imagine travellers being welcomed to Petra again, sharing tea in a family home, or being serenaded under the stars by Bedouins at a desert camp in Wadi Rum. Hosting is what we do best, and travel has always been a bridge between our communities and the wider world.
Looking to the future
At times like this, I believe Intrepid’s unique style of travel matters more than ever. Our small-group trips create space for connection – through shared meals, real conversations and genuine cultural exchange. They remind people that there are humans behind the headlines; that this region is not defined by conflict – but by the individuals, families and communities who deserve to tell their own stories.
While Intrepid trips in Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia remain paused for now, we’re monitoring the situation closely, continue to be guided by government travel advisories and real-time safety updates, and hope to welcome travellers soon.
What’s encouraging is that when travellers do return, we’ll be ready. We’ve also been hiring actively across the region and have 16 newly trained leaders waiting to go in Jordan; they, and the people behind each of our experiences, are prepared and excited to welcome you, when the time is right.
As the region recovers, those travellers who do choose to visit will make a tangible difference. They’ll support livelihoods, help sustain small businesses and, ultimately, send an important message: that moving through the world with curiosity, empathy and open-mindedness has the power to shape a better future, for everyone.
Egypt is open – find the right trip for you. Intrepid has thousands of experiences in over 100 countries. Not ready to travel? Donate to Ezwitti in Jordan or Animal Care in Egypt through The Intrepid Foundation to support communities from afar.
