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Retaliatory strikes from Iran continued across the Middle East this weekend after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Countries hosting U.S. military bases — including the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar — were among the targets, pulling several tourism hubs into the crossfire. We've been tracking which hotel groups have the most exposure, whether safe-haven narratives can hold, and how airspace closures are rippling through the system.

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Hotels

Sean O'Neill

Senior Hospitality Editor

Image by Rexan Tehran Airport

The Risk for Hotel Groups Across the Middle East

Major hotel groups could see temporarily reduced occupancies across the Middle East after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran that might have a protracted impact on regional travel.

Accor, Marriott, IHG, and Radisson Hotel Group have relatively high exposure to the region through their hotel footprints.
Accor said it generated about $82 million from the Middle East and Africa, or 5% of its global franchise and management revenue.
IHG called out Middle East risk in its annual report issued Friday before the latest attacks.

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Airlines

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Image by Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism

Dubai's Status as a Travel Safe Haven Tested

Dubai, long seen as a politically neutral, business- and travel-friendly safe haven in the Middle East, is now directly affected by the widening Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict.

If the conflict escalates further, there is a risk of leisure travelers deferring trips to the broader Middle East and corporate travel pausing amid uncertainty.
"The impact of airspace closures and widespread flight disruptions is being felt immediately …," said Wego CEO Ross Veitch.
But only a prolonged conflict that directly affects core Gulf states would meaningfully erode long-term arrival volumes, according to one aviation executive.

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Airlines

Meghna Maharishi

Airline Reporter

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Image by Unsplash/Sangga Rima Roman Selia

Middle East Sees Massive Flight Cancellations

More than 3,300 flights in the Middle East have been canceled following the joint U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran.

Airspace was closed over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
Emirates said it suspended flights out of Dubai in response to the airspace closures.
Air India also said it canceled several flights from India to the U.S. and Europe due to airspace closures.

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