Monday, July 14, 2025

Imagine you’re strolling through sun-drenched streets in a desert city or taking in a view from a mountaintop. And in a snap the heavens are blacked out by the dust, turning dream holidays into fights for life. But it is not just a one-off event: sand and dust storms are smothering more than 150 countries and threatening the health of millions of travelers everywhere they go in the world.

For travelers who have been dreaming of an exotic vacation in the Middle East, Southeast Asia or parts of Africa, there might be a surprise in store. The United Nations has just confirmed that the 330+ million poor inhabitants (and others) facing growing levels of environmental illness—caused by global sand and dust storm (SDS) events—have more than over exposure to it (to worry about). It is a growing concern that is starting to alter the calculus of international travel.

One-off storms in cities like Dubai, Cairo and Bangkok can turn air into a toxic risk to human health.” They are now no longer a nuisance but a challenge to the travel industry.

Sandstorms can also take you by surprise, they can spoil the experiences of your journey. Devouring Your Sun Enjoying the outdoors can be a dangerous prospect during the storm season, but you can get a glimpse of the weather gods’ wrath without putting yourself in their path with this show, which simulates conditions during the world’s most notorious storm systems. 359 Claremont Avenue, Morningside Heights; 212-854-5027, tow center.columbia.edu/towcenterfellows. MAYA SALAM SAND STORM Whether you’re trekking on camels through the dunes of Morocco, hiking in the Sinai Desert or walking among ancient ruins in the Middle East, the appearance of these storms can leave a wide path of destruction. Visibility plummets further, air quality deteriorates and the thermometer can surge to hazardous figures.

Travelers might suddenly find themselves locked in hotels without the ability to leave. Local officials are sounding alarms and flights may be delayed or canceled. So an on-the-fly, indoor day might not be your dream vacation itinerary candidate. And as we continue to read more and more harrowing headlines describing unpredictable and severe weather, it’s something you should also consider if you’re planning any trip to regions affected by such storms.

Nor, for that matter, are nations in Asia, the Middle East and even some of Europe. Sandstorms have been devastated popular destinations on, the United Nations warns Credit: Alamy What are sandstorms and how can tourists and locals stay safe from them?

Egypt (Cairo, Luxor)

This gateway has a big chance of sharing the ideas and information among the persons and Companies in Dubai and based in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Morocco (Marrakech, Sahara Desert)

China (Beijing, Gobi Desert)

India (New Delhi, Rajasthan)

Jordan (Petra, Wadi Rum)

Turkey (Cappadocia, Antalya)

Those travelling to its popular scenic areas must be aware of an increasing number of storm-moving patterns which are now gaining speed and changing local tourist infrastructure there on the ground. And now that more regions are affected, how these weather events might impact your travel plans is worth exploring.

In the face of such storms–prep is key. Here’s what any savvy tourist should know before your next vacation:

Keep An Eye On The Weather: Many places prone to sandstorms will send out travel alerts in advance. Download weather apps or sign up for alerts from local government.

AIR QUALITY: Sandstorms contribute to poor air quality. Grab some N95 masks — especially if you’ve got questions with your breath system — to help keep the dust away.

Time Your Trip: Time your trip for the seasons when sandstorms are least likely. Such storms may be frequent during the peak of the dust storm season in many regions, i.e. spring and early summer.

Health and Safety: There are health and safety additional health and safety concerns when traveling in a storm. Make sure to take water and wear suitable clothing – and be prepared to see nothing.

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And, it is not only the individual tourists such as the tourists, who are doing sandstorm.This time has begun to give tourism-industry you the damage in the region. Desert safari companies, trekking groups and tour operators in some areas have had to diversify, tacking on more indoor alternatives every storm season.

Hotels have suffered from erratic bookings as some travelers think twice about places that can be hit by these storms. Tourists, who had previously flocked there for the isolation of wide-open spaces and clear skies, now fear for visibility and the experience in general.

How Sand and Dust Storms Are Changing the World How Sand and Dust Storms Are Changing the World For Travel ‘Why Traditional Travel As You Know It Is Dead’ Note: While sand and dust storms are natural phenomena that occur, these extreme examples are not only unnatural, but off-the-charts unnatural, as you’ll see.

It is clear that, as these devastating storms not only occur with more frequency but with more power, taking the road through the affected areas will never be the same. During any holidays, desert, beach and historical places cannot be trusted in terms of weather.

Don’t let that take away your sense of adventure, but do be prepared. Study Your Destination and Be Ready to Adapt The takeaways: You want to be aggressive and travel your destination from every possible angle.

The travel industry is adapting, even if sandstorms may pose some unintended challenges. From stocking up on storm-worthy adventures to beefing up indoor attractions, destinations are going to great lengths to keep travel disruption to a minimum.

For instance, cities like Dubai are focusing on offering more luxurious indoor experiences, while desert destinations are also looking toward enhanced storm prediction technology so tourists can better plan for the change in conditions.

Travelers can still look forward to experiencing iconic sites, immersing themselves in vibrant cultures and the like — but they will need to think ahead a little more.

In conclusion, sand and dust storms are not just a background part of the weather – their threat must be legitimately considered if one is traveling to an impacted area. And because these are not isolated events — tethered to the shorelines and coming around but every century or generation — we want the world to be as informed and prepared and flexible as possible, so that their experiences on the water are eternally exceptional.

So, before you book that flight to the pyramids or plot your next Sahara adventure, save for the epic soundtrack — orchestrated by whirling sand and wind — the winds may be fickle, but your trip doesn’t have to be. Roll with the storm, and you may just find that you’ve been given new eyes to see the world.