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Many inbound travellers rescheduling, not cancelling UAE plans, say travel agents
Industry executives expect a surge in ‘revenge travel’ in the UAE, especially Dubai, once the ongoing military conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran ends
- PUBLISHED: Tue 17 Mar 2026, 12:00 PM UPDATED: Tue 17 Mar 2026, 12:28 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid US-Israel-Iran war for the latest regional developments.]
Many inbound travellers to the UAE are rescheduling their bookings rather than cancelling them due to the ongoing military conflict in the region, reflecting continued trust in the country’s tourism sector, according to travel agents.
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Industry executives say the UAE – particularly Dubai – is likely to witness a surge in “revenge travel” once the conflict subsides, as travellers seek to make up for lost time amid earlier disruptions and high travel costs.
While the GCC’s travel and tourism sectors have softened due to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran, confidence in the UAE as a destination remains strong.
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“We communicate with guests every day. Of course, some reservations have been cancelled recently. But the important detail is that approximately 90 per cent of these cancellations are not permanent — they are simply postponed to future dates. This clearly shows the strong confidence people have in Dubai,” said Adil Tanrıverdi, owner of Tripventura Tourism.
Avinash Adnani, managing director of Neo Travels and Tourism, noted that many travellers who had planned trips in March and April are now shifting their bookings to the later part of this year.
Revenge travel rebound
Travel agents said that once the current conflict ends, Dubai is well positioned to experience a strong rebound driven by pent-up demand.
“Once this conflict ends, the industry is confident there will be a strong recovery in Dubai’s travel and tourism sector, supported by the government’s active role in ensuring sustained growth,” Adnani said.
He added that both the UAE and Dubai governments are expected to introduce innovative campaigns and incentives to accelerate the sector’s recovery.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, initiatives such as the UAE’s Golden Visa and other long-term residency programmes played a significant role in revitalising multiple sectors. Industry experts expect a similar rebound – often described as “revenge travel” – in the current environment.
Strong confidence in Dubai
Travel agents emphasised that the ongoing regional tensions represent a temporary and challenging phase for the GCC and the wider Middle East.
“When we look at our reservation data, the message is very clear: people still trust Dubai. The fact that most travellers are choosing to postpone rather than cancel their trips shows they are confident about returning,” Tanrıverdi said.
“People are not giving up on Dubai. Instead of cancelling, they are simply rescheduling their travel dates. This is one of the clearest indicators of the trust the city has built over the years,” he added.
Despite periodic global tensions, Dubai has consistently demonstrated its ability to manage such challenges effectively, supported by strong infrastructure and a well-established tourism ecosystem.
“The world occasionally goes through periods of uncertainty, but Dubai has always shown resilience. With its robust infrastructure and mature tourism sector, the city continues to stand out as a trusted destination,” Tanrıverdi said.
