“I don’t think the UAE bubble has burst”

Wiseman highlights the corporate lens on risk. 

“Confidence often takes longer to rebuild following geopolitical instability. Governance frameworks, reputational considerations and duty-of-care responsibilities mean organisations tend to move cautiously when determining where to host events. Tourism typically returns sooner, once travel advice allows individuals to make their own decisions. Corporate events operate within a different framework, where employers carry direct responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of their people.” 

Andrew Deakin, managing director of Conference Care, says geopolitical uncertainty tends to trigger a short-term pause. 

“In our sector, geopolitical instability tends to create a short-term pause while organisations evaluate risk and consider the implications for travel and large gatherings. There may be a short-term pullback on overseas conferences and incentive travel while businesses reassess their plans. If uncertainty persists, it is possible that some events originally planned further afield could shift closer to home, which may benefit destinations in the UK and across Europe.” 

Deakin adds that underlying demand remains strong. 

“2026 has started strongly, with many corporates increasing their investment in meetings and events after a positive start to the year. If the geopolitical situation stabilises relatively quickly, there is every reason to believe the sector will remain resilient and that both 2026 and 2027 could continue to be strong years for the industry.”

The perception problem 

For many planners, perception is now the biggest challenge. 

Graham Alderman, owner of Ulterior Events, says the situation has shifted conversations around Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 

“It’s a huge shift in perception of that region. Until two weeks ago, no one would have thought that any Middle Eastern conflict would directly bring in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, probably the two premier incentive destinations in our industry.” 

He says clients are now asking a different question: 

“Two weeks ago, if someone asked me if Dubai was safe, I would have said yes wholeheartedly. But now, purely because of what’s happened, the question ‘Is Dubai safe?’ has a different connotation. Before, when clients asked that, they meant crime. Now that question has much bigger implications.” 

Alderman warns corporate security policies could further complicate matters. 

“All these global security documents that big companies rely on are updated constantly. Previously employees might not have been allowed to travel to places like Jordan, Syria, Iraq or Iran. Now Dubai and Abu Dhabi could start appearing on those lists. That changes everything for those destinations.”

Events still moving ahead 

Despite the uncertainty, some events are continuing as planned. 

“For big exhibitions down there, if it’s all been locked in and booked, then they’re going ahead business as usual,” says Gavin Farley, CEO of asembl.group. “They’re very resilient. I think there’s too much to lose there.” 

Some live events have been delayed while organisers navigate in-country travel logistics. 

“Live events – we’ve had a couple that have pushed back a bit. It’s all in-country travel that’s the issue, bringing people in. But locally, they seem fairly resilient and are going ahead with things.” 

Farley highlights Dubai’s history of bouncing back. 

“If anyone can get back to form quickly, it’s Dubai. The reality of it is probably going to be fine, but the perception of it - is that going to be rocked? I do think that bubble maybe has taken a slight dent. However, if anyone is going to bounce back from this, I’d back them over anyone else.” 

Scott Brown, group director of sales and marketing – Kingfisher Hospitality Group, concurs.

“From a hotel perspective, particularly those of us operating airport properties, there is clearly a short-term impact when Middle Eastern routes are disrupted. A number of our hotels host airline crew from the region, so when flights are grounded or reduced, even temporarily, that business pauses almost overnight.

“That said, the UAE and wider Gulf travel market has historically proven very resilient. Once airspace and schedules return to normal, we would expect demand and crew movements to rebound relatively quickly.”