On 28 February, Iran launched retaliatory strikes towards Israel, US bases and regional partners. Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE have all been targeted. In a matter of days, the Gulf states’ status as “the Switzerland of the Middle East” has been seriously undermined.
At least two shows have been postponed or cancelled
So far, we know that at least two shows have been postponed or cancelled. Affiliate World Global (the Dubai edition), scheduled for 4-5 March, has been pushed to spring 2027. Advertised primarily as an affiliate marketing conference, Affiliate World is also an exhibition. The event was to be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The following announcement was sent out on the company’s website: “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.”
Another show, Mixed Game Festival XIII, has been cancelled, not because the venue itself will be impacted, but because the organiser is stuck in the Middle East and cannot get to Resorts World in Las Vegas where the event was set to be held.
More cancellations are sure to follow.
Right now, the primary concern is the safety of all those living in or visiting the region. But, the question is nonetheless on everyone’s mind – how great will the damage to the industry’s reputation be? Is this recoverable? Will people feel comfortable visiting or exhibiting in the UAE after the war has ended?
Kate Chambers lends her thoughts
We spoke to Kate Chambers, founder of The Gaming Boardroom and former managing director of Clarion’s gaming events, to get her thoughts.
“They’re not insured for war”
“Organisers are very nervous right now, because they’re not insured for war or terrorism. It’s a huge financial risk to get involved without some kind of insurance policy.
“The main issue from an organiser’s perspective is that visitors simply won’t come. I think, actually, the real problem wouldn’t be getting in – it would be getting out. I remember being trapped in Las Vegas during the pandemic after testing positive for Covid. That was a nightmare. You might arrive safely, but there’s no guarantee you’ll be getting out.
“Organisers might be thinking they will be fine in six month’s time. I’m not so sure”
“My hunch is that organisers might be thinking they will be fine in six months’ time. But I’m not so sure. Remember the Luxor Massacre, in which 62 people, mostly tourists, were killed at the Temple of Hatshepsut in 1997. Egypt’s tourism industry took about three to four years to recover.”
Post-October 7 in 2023, tourism to Israel decreased by close to 80%.
Even Jordan, which wasn’t a party to the conflict, suffered as a result. By the first quarter of 2024, tourist arrivals had dropped by 10%, with hotel occupancy at Petra falling as low as 10% over some months.
If a nation that was simply in the vicinity of conflict took such a blow to its reputation as a safe destination, one that was directly targeted by strikes is surely at grave risk.
“The reputational damage will be huge,” Kate concluded. “I can see it lasting a very long time.”
If you have updates or comments to share with us about the unfolding situation, please get in touch at treilly@mashmedia.net.
Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk
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