Mice Insights

Estimated $56B loss looming as Middle East events shift to 2027

By Viviane Vaz

MICE INSIGHTS (22 March 2026)

The “hole in the sky” is real. The Middle East’s ambition to dominate the global meetings and exhibitions market has faced a staggering setback. Following the military escalation in late February, a wave of “force majeure” declarations has effectively erased the April 2026 MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) calendar across the entire region.

From the luxury hubs of the Gulf to the academic centers of the Levant and the emerging markets of Iran, the industry is now bracing for a projected $56 billion loss in international visitor spending this year, according to Oxford Economics.

The disruption is not isolated to conflict zones; the entire regional logistics network has buckled under airspace closures and “Depart Now” orders from Western governments. Beyond the staggering financial figures, the industry is grappling with the human reality of a region in crisis, prioritizing the safety of staff, delegates, and local communities above all else.

MICE INSIGHTS prepared a country-by-country impact:

🇦🇪 UAE: Abu Dhabi’s April flagship events, including the IAAPA Expo Middle East and the M&I Expo, have been officially postponed to April 2027. While infrastructure remains intact, the lack of international flight connectivity has made global attendance impossible.

🇮🇱 Israel: The MICE sector in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem has entered total paralysis. Over 100 international conferences scheduled for April —ranging from Medical Innovation to Nanoscience — have been scrapped or moved to virtual-only formats.

🇴🇲 Oman: Muscat has seen a domino effect of cancellations at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre. The 30th International Book Fair and several green energy summits have been halted as regional maritime and air instability deters international delegates.

🇮🇷 Iran: The push for international trade shows, including the 4th EURASIA Exhibition in Tehran, has been suspended indefinitely. Direct military action and Level 4 travel bans have rendered the country a “no-go” zone for international business travelers.

🇪🇬 Egypt: Often seen as a regional “safe haven,” Egypt is suffering from “guilt by association.” While Cairo remains physically safe, mass delegate withdrawals and a 900% surge in ticket prices due to rerouted flight paths have forced organizers like Informa to delay their Egyptian portfolios.

🇶🇦 Qatar: Doha’s sporting and energy calendar has been hit hard. The World Endurance Championship (WEC) opener was relocated to Italy, and major trade exhibitions have been pushed to Q4 2026 to avoid the current volatility.

🇯🇴 Jordan & 🇱🇧 Lebanon: Events in Amman and Beirut are suspended indefinitely, with regional organizers citing both safety risks and the total breakdown of regional travel corridors.

The financial battle for refunds

For thousands of delegates now holding useless tickets, the focus has shifted from business networking to capital recovery.

🚨 The “Waiver Window”: Major carriers like Etihad and Emirates are offering full cash refunds for travel through April 15, 2026. However, for travel after mid-April, many airlines are still holding to standard fare rules unless a flight is officially cancelled.

🛑 The Insurance Gap: Most standard MICE insurance policies do not cover “postponement.” So, delegates are being urged to wait for an official airline cancellation, which triggers a legal right to a refund rather than canceling voluntarily and incurring heavy fees.

🔄 The 2027 Strategy: Event organizers are issuing formal “Postponement Letters” to help delegates negotiate with hotels. While major chains are generally honoring “Force Majeure” for group blocks, individual non-refundable bookings remain a significant financial pain point.

Looking ahead

The industry is now “banking” on a massive 2027 recovery. By moving April 2026 events one year forward, organizers hope to bypass the current crisis while maintaining the integrity of their programs. For now, the Middle East MICE sector remains in a holding pattern, waiting for the skies to clear.

Are you a delegate or organizer currently fighting for a refund? Please share your airline and departure date so we can track which carriers are extending their “goodwill” refund windows past mid-April.

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Image: Flightradar24 shows a massive “hole in the sky” over West Asia due to simultaneous airspace closures on 22 Mar 2026, 15:50 CET.