As flight suspensions remained in force in large parts of the Gulf and missile attacks on Iran, and from Iran continue for a fourth day, travel and logistical challenges continue to hit the global meetings and events industry in the region.
Venues, as in the times of Covid, are again at the mercy of fate, many telling CMW they are able only to monitor a situation which clearly they are not in control of. Exhibition World Bahrain told CMW it was “in regular coordination with relevant authorities and stakeholders. At this time, we are maintaining close communication with our organisers, partners, exhibitors and clients and addressing matters as they arise, in line with official guidance.
“We are committed to ensuring that all decisions are taken responsibly and in alignment with government directives. Should there be any confirmed updates regarding scheduled events, these will be communicated through the appropriate official channels.”
Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of travellers have been scrambling to make new connections and remain holed up in hotels and airports across the Gulf.
Many governments have advised their stranded citizens to shelter in place, pending news that flights in the region can resume normal schedules.
Major international travel hubs Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have all been hit by strikes. Ninety thousand people alone change flights daily at those hubs on Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.
“The UK-based Business Travel Association (BTA) said its members were working around the clock right now to help, to advise and to simply listen.
BTA CEO Clive Wratten said in a LinkedIn post: “As airspace across the region remains closed, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad and Gulf Air alone operate between 1,200 and 1,300 flights every single day… Every day these closures remain in place, that number of stranded or disrupted passengers grows. This is why clear answers are so hard to come by right now — the situation is moving hour by hour.
“This will end. The airspace will reopen. And when it does, the industry will move heaven and earth to get everyone home.
“I speak from experience. I was honoured to lead the UK Etihad Airways team during the volcanic ash crisis of 2010, when European airspace closed for eight days. What I witnessed when the skies reopened was remarkable – teams around the globe working around the clock, driven by one single purpose: getting people home. Within four days, the vast majority of stranded passengers were back with their families.”
Some international conferences, inevitably, have had to cancel or postpone. Organisers of Affiliate World Global: Dubai edition told CMW they had taken the decision to cancel their conference and exhibition “due to escalating regional conflicts and the resulting safety concerns, as well as the closure of UAE airports and significant disruption to travel. We have made the incredibly difficult decision to postpone Affiliate World Global: Dubai Edition 2026 to Spring 2027”. The event had been due to open 4 March in Dubai World Trade Centre.
“Our team has worked incredibly hard over the past year to deliver what we believed would have been an outstanding conference, and we’re genuinely heartbroken to have to postpone,” the organiser iStack Conferences (managed by VCEGH (HK) Limited) added.
“We’ve made massive investments in the 2026 Dubai show across venues, production, booths, printing, staffing, and on-the-ground delivery. And we also know how much time, money, and careful planning you and your team invest to attend or exhibit at Affiliate World, on top of flights, visas, hotels, and coordinating team schedules. That’s exactly why this decision is so painful, and why it was not made lightly or for convenience. We’re making it because, under the circumstances, we cannot responsibly move forward while safety and access remain uncertain.”
The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) executive director Gregor Bischkopf told CMW: “As a global federation representing businesses across the exhibition and event supply chain, we are very mindful that this, as with any geopolitical instability, carries real human, economic and operational implications.
“The situation remains highly dynamic and is evolving on an hourly basis. At this stage, it is not yet clear whether, or to what extent, there will be a measurable impact on our sector. What we do know is that companies are proactively reviewing risk assessments, closely monitoring government travel advisories, and maintaining open communication with clients, venues and logistics partners.
“In terms of logistics, the primary considerations currently relate to potential airspace restrictions, freight rerouting, insurance implications, and contingency planning for international travel. The exhibition sector is deeply interconnected, and even indirect disruptions, particularly in cargo and passenger aviation, can create ripple effects across project timelines and cost structures.”
He added that preparations for the IFES World Summit 2026 scheduled due to run in Dubai [16-19 June – ed], were continuing as planned. However, we are approaching the situation with vigilance and responsibility. “We remain in ongoing dialogue with our local partners, the relevant authorities in the United Arab Emirates, and international advisory sources to ensure that any decisions we take are informed, timely and aligned with official guidance. The safety and wellbeing of our members, partners and participants remains our highest priority. Should circumstances require us to adapt, we will do so transparently, responsibly and in accordance with official recommendations.”
Bischkopf added: “As an international association, we believe it is essential to respond based on verified information rather than assumption. What we can say with confidence is that our community is experienced in navigating uncertainty. Recent years have demonstrated the sector’s resilience, adaptability and strong culture of collaboration.
“What we see is uncertainty and super last-minute bookings and plannings, even more than ever before.”
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism released a statement, 3 March, which said: “The safety and welfare of citizens, residents, and visitors is the UAE’s highest priority. The UAE government is closely monitoring developments and taking all necessary measures to protect the public. The situation in the country is stable, with public services continuing to operate. Relevant authorities are coordinating closely and monitoring developments on an ongoing basis to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of all.
“Flight operations are gradually starting to resume. Emirates and FlyDubai have confirmed that a limited number of flights are operating from the evening of 2 March, with services being restored in a phased manner. Visitors and partners are encouraged to refer to official UAE government channels and relevant airlines for the latest information and updates.
“As part of Dubai’s established response frameworks, measures have been implemented across the tourism and hospitality sector. Hotels have been requested to support affected guests by facilitating extensions to stays under existing booking conditions.
“Within this framework, DET is working closely with tourism partners and suppliers to support visitors and to ensure the continued safety, stability, and functioning of services across the city.
“Dubai has a strong and proven track record of managing periods of global disruption with agility and coordination, consistently prioritising care of citizens, residents and visitors, while maintaining world-class service standards. This integrated approach across government and private sector partners enables the city to respond quickly and effectively.”
Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE minister of state for international co-operation, commented: “Really the ball is in Iran’s court right now about how they want to deal with a neighbourhood and a neighbour that has traditionally been a very fair and good neighbour to them.”
