Dearborn — Every summer, thousands of Arab Americans from Metro Detroit journey to their home countries in various parts of the Middle East to visit family and take time away from the stress of their daily lives. 

Unfortunately, this year the Middle East is embroiled in crisis–Syria is in the middle of a civil war that has claimed the lives of approximately 100,000 people; Lebanon’s usual political tensions have turned into gun battles in the streets of Sidon and Tripoli and Lebanese border towns have taken occasional hits, as a result of Syria’s war; and Egypt is in turmoil, following massive protests that resulted in the army ousting President Mohamed Morsi, after serving only one year in office.

According to Duraid Makhay, manager of the Dearborn travel agency Alma Travel, the number of people who plan on traveling to the Middle East this summer is down at least 30 percent from last year.  

He says that travelers are opting to spend their vacation time within the U.S.  A popular destination for many is Disneyland, while others are choosing to explore Michigan and travel up north during their time off from work, or school.

Makhay said that the fear of going to the Middle East has hurt the travel agency business in the area.

“We look for innovative ways to make up for those lost revenues,” he said. “We recommend trips to Mexico, or the Caribbean, but it still does not compensate for the loss. Business is down, 20-25 percent.”

Tourism revenues are vital to the struggling Lebanese and Egyptian economies.

According to the Lebanese minister of tourism, the country has lost 35 percent of its usual tourism revenues this year. The iconic Baalbek Music Festival has been moved from the city’s Roman temples for security reasons and well-known American soprano Renee Fleming canceled her performance in the event.

In Egypt, according to state-run newspaper AlAhram, the country has lost $2.5 billion in tourism gains since the beginning of the political crisis in January 2011.

A retail store manager in Dearborn said that the lack of travel to the Middle East will not have much of an impact on the local economy. 

He said that although there will be no boost from travelers buying gifts for their relatives abroad, community members will not leave for long vacations, so, in contrast, more people will consume products here.