On February 28, 2026, American-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered the largest geopolitical crisis in the Middle East in decades — and with it, the collapse of the world’s largest events and business hub. In less than 30 days, more than 100 conferences, trade shows, sporting events and festivals were cancelled, postponed or relocated across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain. Dubai hotels lost 60% of their bookings within 48 hours. Thirty-seven thousand air routes were disrupted. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates regional tourism losses at 515 million euros per day.
For business travel professionals — who were due to attend ATM, GITEX, ADIPEC or LEAP in the coming months — the question is urgent: are these events cancelled? Where are they now being held? Where should you go instead? Here is the complete overview as of April 7, 2026, with new dates, confirmed relocations and alternative destinations to prioritise.
1. Dubai — ATM postponed to August, GITEX rebranded at Expo City
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026
RX Global has officially confirmed the postponement of the Arabian Travel Market 2026 from 4–7 May to 17–20 August 2026, at the same venue: the Dubai World Trade Centre. The decision was made to « preserve the safety of clients, partners and colleagues » in the context of the American-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28. Now in its 33rd edition, ATM remains the world’s largest regional tourism platform, with more than 55,000 professionals from 166 countries.
GITEX GLOBAL 2026, meanwhile, is changing scenery: the world’s largest tech trade show is moving from the old DWTC to the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai, with provisional dates set for 7–11 December 2026. More modern, better connected, with new spaces dedicated to AI and startups — the move is a bonus for visitors accustomed to the congestion of the old venue.
What’s really changing
- ATM: same venue, new dates (August = extreme heat, hotels discounted 20–40%)
- GITEX: new venue + new dates (Expo City Dubai, Dec. 2026, ideal season)
- TOKEN2049 Dubai: postponed to April 2027 — crypto pros are turning to Singapore
2. ADIPEC Abu Dhabi — The exception that holds firm
ADIPEC 2026 — Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference
Contrary to rumours circulating since March, ADIPEC has not been cancelled or relocated. According to the organisers, the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference will indeed be held from 2 to 5 November 2026 at the ADNEC. With 2,250+ exhibitors, 380+ conference sessions and 95% decision-maker attendance, the world’s most influential energy show is betting that the regional situation will stabilise by autumn.
The logic is sound: the conflict began in late February and the final decision on whether to hold the event will be made approaching September, leaving seven months to assess how the situation evolves. The ADNEC has internationally certified secure infrastructure.
Points to watch
- Limited hotel availability in Abu Dhabi during ADIPEC — book now
- Hotels near ADNEC: €200–600/night
- Monitor Newland Chase updates on the security situation
3. LEAP Riyadh — Saudi tech rescheduled to late August
LEAP 2026 — Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre
LEAP 2026, Saudi Arabia’s flagship tech conference which generated more than $42 billion in investments across its first four editions, has been rescheduled from its usual April dates to 31 August – 3 September 2026. The venue remains the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre in Malham. The event, which brings together founders, investors, decision-makers and industry leaders around AI, cloud computing and deep tech, is maintaining its ambitions to position Riyadh as a global technology innovation hub.
According to the Northbourne Advisory dashboard, LEAP is confirmed and Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in its domestic security — the situation in Riyadh is distinct from that of Dubai or Abu Dhabi. That said, you should absolutely consult your government’s travel advisories before any trip.
4. The new destinations: who benefits?
While the Gulf manages its crisis, three destinations have emerged as credible alternatives for business travel professionals. Some are already hosting major events — including one happening right now.
Marrakech — GITEX Africa: happening right now
The 4th edition of GITEX Africa is taking place right now, from 7 to 9 April 2026 in Marrakech. While the Gulf’s major tech shows postpone or cancel, Morocco has established itself — almost by default — as the reference African and Arab technology hub. Its geopolitical neutrality in the current conflict is a considerable asset: no travel restrictions, direct flights from across Europe, and a very active Arab and African tech community on the ground.
GITEX Africa is not a consolation replacement: the first edition was inaugurated by Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. In 2026, the event is attracting startups from sub-Saharan Africa, the temporarily exiled Gulf diaspora, and European investors seeking an entry into emerging African markets without going through Dubai.
Why Marrakech should be on your radar
- Total cost 40–60% lower than an equivalent trip to the Gulf
- Complete political neutrality — no conflict-related restrictions
- Cultural extension impossible in Dubai: Atlas Mountains, Merzouga desert, millennial medina
Berlin — GITEX AI Europe: the replacement tech hub
GITEX AI EUROPE is confirmed from 30 June to 1 July 2026 at Messe Berlin. The event is not a forced relocation due to the war, but a pre-existing strategic expansion of the GITEX brand — which nonetheless takes on particular significance in the current context. In 2025, the first Berlin edition brought together more than 1,400 exhibitors and 21,000 professional visitors from more than 100 countries. In 2026, the momentum is accelerating.
For Middle East professionals looking to maintain their tech connections without the risks of the region, Berlin is ideal: no travel restrictions, easy Schengen visas, a very active Gulf diaspora community in the German capital, and flights from across Europe at €80–300 return.
Why Berlin in June-July
- Perfect climate (20–27°C), long evenings for terrace networking
- Messe Berlin, less congested than the DWTC, more modern spaces
- Berlin’s startup ecosystem booming — natural business encounters
Singapore — The new global transit hub
The closure of Gulf airspace transformed Singapore into a global aviation and conference hub overnight. Several airlines quickly extended their services via Changi Airport to absorb diverted passengers — because within an 8-hour flight radius of the Middle East live two thirds of the world’s population, and when that corridor closes, all air traffic must be rerouted.
For tech events, GITEX AI Asia is being held from 9 to 10 April 2026 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre — just this week. Crypto professionals missing TOKEN2049 Dubai can regroup here: TOKEN2049 still holds its annual Asian edition in Singapore. Expect 90 minutes to 3 hours of additional flight time on routes to Europe from Asia, as airlines are bypassing the closed airspace.
Why Singapore is asserting itself
- Changi Airport: natural substitute hub with the best airport experience in the world
- Absolute political stability, zero geopolitical risk
- GITEX AI Asia + TOKEN2049 Asia = the reference tech/crypto agenda for 2026
5. FII Priority: from Miami to Rome, Gulf capital is on the move
The FII Priority Summit perfectly illustrates the geographical reshaping of Gulf investment flows. The Miami edition (25–27 March 2026) took place at the Faena Hotel in Miami Beach with Donald Trump as closing speaker. This is no coincidence: Miami is more than 7,000 miles from the conflict zone, operates under US insurance markets, and suffers no airspace closures. To echo the FII Institute’s own words, the year’s theme — « Capital in Motion » — took on a particularly sharp resonance in 2026.
Next up: the FII PRIORITY Europe Summit will be held from 17 to 19 June 2026 in Rome, at the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri hotel. For professionals looking to maintain their connections with Saudi capital and Gulf sovereign funds, this is the networking window not to miss — and Rome in June is probably the most pleasant alternative to the Middle East one could imagine.
6. Summary table — Real-time statuses (April 2026)
| Event | Status | New dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATM Dubai | ⚠️ Postponed | 17–20 Aug 2026 | Dubai World Trade Centre |
| GITEX Global | ✅ Maintained | 7–11 Dec 2026 | Expo City Dubai |
| ADIPEC | ✅ Maintained | 2–5 Nov 2026 | ADNEC Abu Dhabi |
| LEAP Riyadh | ⚠️ Postponed | 31 Aug–3 Sep 2026 | Riyadh Expo Centre |
| TOKEN2049 Dubai | ❌ Cancelled → 2027 | 21–22 Apr 2027 | Dubai (2027) |
| GITEX AI Europe | ✅ Maintained | 30 Jun–1 Jul 2026 | Messe Berlin |
| GITEX AI Asia | ✅ Maintained | 9–10 Apr 2026 | Marina Bay Sands, Singapore |
| GITEX Africa | ✅ Ongoing | 7–9 Apr 2026 | Marrakech, Morocco |
| FII Priority Miami | ✅ Completed | 25–27 Mar 2026 | Faena Hotel, Miami |
| FII Priority Europe | ✅ Planned | 17–19 Jun 2026 | Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria |
| WEF Jeddah | ❌ Postponed | Not rescheduled | — |
| F1 Bahrain / Saudi Arabia | ❌ Cancelled | — | — |
Practical information for your business trip
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From $56 / 4 weeksFrequently asked questions
Was GITEX Global 2026 cancelled because of the war?
No. GITEX GLOBAL 2026 has not been cancelled. The event is rescheduled for 7–11 December 2026 and is moving to a new venue: the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) at Expo City Dubai. The Iran war accelerated this long-planned venue change.
Is it safe to travel to Dubai in 2026?
The situation is evolving daily. The US State Department has classified the United Arab Emirates at Level 3 (« reconsider travel ») and has issued a « DEPART NOW » advisory for 16 Middle Eastern countries. You must consult your own government’s travel advisories before any trip. Newland Chase offers daily updates on international mobility in the region.
Why wasn’t ADIPEC cancelled when ATM and LEAP were?
The difference is a matter of timing. ADIPEC is scheduled for November 2026, which still leaves seven months for the situation to evolve. ATM (May) and LEAP (April) were too close to the outbreak of the conflict not to be postponed. The ADIPEC organisers are monitoring the situation and will confirm their final decision as autumn approaches.
What are the impacts on Europe-Asia flights for business travellers?
Expect 90 minutes to 3 hours of additional flight time on Europe–Asia routes, as airlines are bypassing the closed airspace. Singapore has become the primary new transit hub. British Airways has cancelled its flights to Dubai until 31 May, as has Singapore Airlines. Check Flightradar24 for real-time status.
Does my travel insurance cover war-related cancellations?
The vast majority of standard travel insurance policies do not cover « acts of war ». Gulf event organisers are themselves left without coverage, as insurers have refused to issue any new policies in the region. For individual travellers, it is strongly advised to take out insurance including a « Cancel For Any Reason » (CFAR) clause — more expensive but essential in the current context.
Where can I find real-time updates on Gulf events?
For events: check directly on the official organiser websites (ATM: wtm.com/atm, GITEX: gitex.com, ADIPEC: adipec.com, LEAP: visitsaudi.com/leap). For professional mobility: Newland Chase publishes daily updates. For flights: Flightradar24.
Will Middle East business tourism recover?
According to Northbourne Advisory, « the events will return. The infrastructure is there. The contracts are in place. The region was in its strongest growth cycle in years before February. » However, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs estimates that the war has « irreversibly shaken » the region’s image, exposing a fragility beneath the facade of Gulf economic transformation. In the short term (April–July 2026): avoid the Gulf. In the medium term (August–November): monitor the conflict’s evolution and government advisories.
Sources
- WTM / RX Global — Official ATM 2026 postponement press release
- GITEX Global — New 2026 dates and venue (Expo City Dubai)
- ADIPEC — Confirmation of November 2026 dates
- Arab News — LEAP 2026 rescheduled to late August–September
- Euronews — €515 million per day in regional tourism losses
- The Middle East Insider — 60% collapse in Dubai hotel bookings
- House of Saud — FII Priority Miami and the collapse of the Gulf events industry
- AGBI — More than 100 events cancelled, suspended or postponed in the Gulf
- Wego Travel Blog — Singapore, the new global transit hub
- GITEX AI Europe — Berlin 2026 dates and venue
- Morocco World News — GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech
- Newland Chase — International mobility updates, 2026 conflict
- Wikipedia — 2026 Iran war: context and economic impact
- PRMoment MENA — Dashboard of cancelled Gulf events
- FII Institute — FII Priority Miami and Rome 2026
Research conducted on 7 April 2026 — rapidly evolving situation, consult official sources for the latest updates.
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