The MICE market in the UAE was valued at approximately $6 billion in 2025, and Saudi Arabia’s at $3.2 billion. Demand has split along “passport lines”: regional participants from the GCC and Asia continue to attend, while Western companies are massively declining due to airspace restrictions, high ticket prices, and the overall news background.
Just a month ago, industry reports predicted steady growth. The picture now is different: major B2B events are moving out of spring and early summer, hotels and service providers are operating under sharply reduced occupancy, and authorities are quickly introducing support measures.
Current Situation in the MICE and Events Industry
The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector in the UAE and across the GCC is facing unprecedented pressure. As of mid-April 2026, key postponements include:
- JP Morgan MENA Global Opportunities Summit (Dubai) — cancelled.
- UITP Summit 2026 (Dubai) – fully cancelled.
- Ton Gateway crypto conference – postponed.
- M&I Expo (Abu Dhabi, originally scheduled for April 5–7, 2026) – moved to April 5–7, 2027. Organizers explicitly cite “the current situation in the Middle East” and participant safety as the reason.
- Middle East Energy 2026 (Dubai, April 7–9) – postponed to September 1–3.
- Arabian Travel Market (ATM) – shifted from May to August 17–20.
- Middle East Event Show (MEES) 2026 – postponed to August 18–19, 2026 (Dubai World Trade Centre). The Awards ceremony will take place on August 20 at Madinat Jumeirah.
- X: by micebook 2026 (Oman, originally planned for October) – relocated to Andalusia, Spain on October 1–4, 2026. The new venue is OKU Andalusia. Oman will host the event in 2027.
Quote from micebook organizers: “Over the past weeks, we’ve been in close conversation with our partners in Oman while continuing to monitor developments across the region. Together, we’ve decided to allow a little more time for this remarkable destination to be experienced exactly as it deserves.”
Organizers consistently refer to the “current situation in the Middle East” and participant safety. Regional demand is described as “postponed, not lost,” but no one is ready to make precise forecasts until summer (when temperatures above +40°C will make hosting events even more difficult).
Government Support Measures
The authorities in the UAE and GCC are responding quickly. On April 6-7, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri confirmed the preparation of a new support package for tourism and MICE (in addition to the already launched Dh1 billion / ~$272 million package in Dubai).
Since April 1, Dubai has introduced a three-month deferral of all key fees:
- Sales fees
- Tourism Dirham
- F&B taxes
Additional benefits are provided for small businesses in Dubai South. The Ministry of Tourism maintains daily dialogue with the industry.
On April 12, GCC tourism ministers held an emergency video conference and stated that the region remains safe and open. They reaffirmed their commitment to the 2024–2030 tourism strategy and the unified GCC visa policy.
Industry Reaction and Examples
Despite the postponements, some events continue, and organizers are looking for alternative formats. Regional companies from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE remain active and are using this period to prepare for the autumn season. Many buyers and MICE suppliers note that “the demand hasn’t disappeared – it’s simply waiting for stability.”
Long-Term Prospects
No strategic plans have been cancelled. The expansion of Dubai World Trade Centre (+140,000 m² in 2026), the development of ADNEC in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Vision 2030, and the unified GCC visa continue as planned. The core long-term drivers – economic diversification, infrastructure investment, and positioning the region as a global MICE hub – remain unchanged.
Forecasts up to 2033 (even with adjustments for current events) remain positive: infrastructure growth and government support should offset the temporary downturn.
Conclusion
April 2026 has become a serious test for the MICE industry in the UAE and GCC. The large-scale postponements and cancellations of events (including M&I Expo in Abu Dhabi, Middle East Event Show to August, and X: by micebook from Oman) clearly demonstrated the sector’s vulnerability to external geopolitical factors. At the same time, the authorities’ swift support measures, the preservation of regional demand, and the continuity of long-term strategies give reason to believe that deferred demand will return once the situation stabilizes.
The industry is showing flexibility: some are moving events to Europe or autumn, others are preparing for 2027, while authorities are already working to restore confidence. Further dynamics will depend on developments in the region and the effectiveness of the measures being taken.
Sources (all public links):
https://micebook.com/blog/2026/04/14/x-by-micebook-2026-moves-to-andalucia/
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