Gulf Hotels are entering their crucial winter quarter well behind last year, as leisure travelers delay or cancel trips until after the November 3 US midterm elections.
Why Gulf Hotel Bookings Are on Hold Before the US Vote
Hotels across the Gulf are heading into their most important season of the year well behind 2025. According to Skift, many leisure travelers are postponing bookings until after the US midterm elections on November 3, and some have cancelled their trips altogether. Operators say guests fear the region could face a fresh round of attacks once the vote is over.
That worry has roots in recent events. The UAE took the heaviest share of Iranian missile and drone strikes in March, although Iran has not struck the country since May. US President Donald Trump has said he would not order an attack on Iran before the election.
Saurabh Tiwari, who oversees the Middle East, Maldives and Sri Lanka for Taj operator IHCL, told Skift that the fourth quarter now looks weaker than it did in August, with travelers hesitating and high airfares adding to their doubts.
UAE Hotel Occupancy and Dubai Visitor Numbers Fall Sharply This Year
UAE hotel occupancy dropped to 67.6% in September, down from 79.9% a year earlier, according to CoStar. Dubai counted 6.97 million international visitors in the first eight months, 44% fewer than a year before. Short-term rentals are weakening fastest: AirDNA shows November forward bookings down 37.5%, with December and January about 26% behind.
Nine Foreign Airlines Keep Dubai Flights Suspended Well Into Next Year
Air access is a second problem, because nine foreign carriers have paused Dubai service into 2027. They include KLM, Singapore Airlines, Wizz Air, Cathay Pacific, United, Air Canada, Finnair, Luxair and Virgin Atlantic. Business travel is softening too, with Reuters reporting that ExxonMobil and Chevron reversed executive trips to the Adipec energy event over security concerns. Skift counted at least 16 non-Gulf airlines missing from Dubai this winter, even as Dubai International runs near capacity on Emirates and flydubai.
Dubai Bets on Visas, Incentives and Returning Carriers to Lift Demand
To lift demand, Dubai has launched the invitation-only Dubai Access Club, offering a five-year multi-entry visa, a SIM card and AED 2,000 (about $545) in spending credit. British Airways resumed London–Dubai flights on November 3, and Lufthansa, SWISS and Eurowings plan to return on November 25, with Austrian Airlines following on December 12. Regional, long-stay and Indian, Russian and British guests are cushioning the quarter, but one analyst puts international tourists’ share of Gulf hotel revenue at 70%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Gulf hotel bookings down this peak season?
Many leisure travelers are waiting until after the November 3 US midterms, fearing renewed attacks on the region, while high airfares add to the hesitation.
What was UAE hotel occupancy in September 2026?
CoStar data put UAE hotel occupancy at 67.6% in September, down from 79.9% a year earlier.
How much have Dubai’s international visitor numbers fallen?
Dubai welcomed 6.97 million international visitors from January to August, a 44% drop on the same period last year.
Which airlines have suspended Dubai flights into 2027?
KLM, Singapore Airlines, Wizz Air, Cathay Pacific, United, Air Canada, Finnair, Luxair and Virgin Atlantic, according to Skift.
What is the Dubai Access Club?
It is a new invitation-only scheme offering a five-year multi-entry visa, a SIM card and AED 2,000 in spending credit.
Conclusion
The Gulf’s busiest hotel season is starting on uncertain footing. With UAE occupancy at 67.6% in September, Dubai’s international arrivals down 44% through August and short-term rental bookings sliding, operators are counting on the post-election mood, returning European carriers and incentives such as the Dubai Access Club to win travelers back. Regional and long-stay guests are softening the blow, yet international visitors still generate most hotel revenue, and nine foreign airlines will stay away into 2027. Some operators do not expect a real recovery before late 2027, so winter travelers should confirm their flights carefully before booking.
Bibliography / Sources
- Nair, D. (2026, November 3). Gulf hotels’ peak season stalls as travelers wait out the U.S. midterms [News article]. Skift. https://skift.com/2026/11/03/gulf-hotels-peak-season-stalls-as-travelers-wait-out-the-u-s-midterms/
- Skift. (2026, October 29). Which airlines are still skipping Dubai this winter [News article]. https://skift.com/2026/10/29/which-airlines-are-still-skipping-dubai-this-winter/
- Pavithran, L. (2026, November 3). UAE flights status: List of cancellations, delays and airline resumptions on Nov 3 [News article]. Gulf News. https://gulfnews.com/business/aviation/uae-flights-status-list-of-cancellations-delays-and-airline-resumptions-on-nov-3-1.500733702