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'At times of crisis, travel must stand up for itself against sensationalist reporting – as one'

Opinion
Martyn Sumners
17 March 2026

A wave of urgent, inaccurate reporting is dominating the mainstream media coverage of the crisis in the Middle East – and travel businesses are suffering, writes Aito executive director Martyn Sumners.

Martyn Sumners, Aito
(Credit: Aito)

Aito executive director Martyn Sumners (Credit: Aito)

In the travel industry, we’re no strangers to turbulence. And we're used too to navigating conflicting media narratives.

But the latest wave of urgent and inaccurate travel alerts dominating mainstream outlets and social platforms is stirring up a storm that needs to be stopped in its tracks before it causes irreparable damage to the tourism industry.

As travel professionals, we have a responsibility to push for balanced reporting, particularly when it comes to trusted mainstays of the British holiday market such as Greece and Turkey.