A Market that didn’t break
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes against Iran. The tourism market responded immediately. According to CoStar/STR data, Dubai hotel occupancy in February stood at 84.7% – down 5.9% year-on-year. March was harsher: 33.1% against 49.3% the previous year. Some properties fell below 10%. Hundreds of flights were cancelled. Of the 269 events planned across the Gulf for spring, the majority were postponed or cancelled.
The numbers look like a crisis. In reality, they are a test. And the industry is passing it right now.