Gulf Hotels Are Waiting on an American Election

Gulf hotels are entering peak season behind last year, and Skift reports one reason is the US midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3. Leisure travelers are holding off on bookings until after the vote, and some are cancelling outright.

IHCL’s Saurabh Tiwari said the fourth quarter is not as strong as the company expected in August, and high airfares are also a factor. Skift also reports that President Trump reportedly said he would not attack Iran before the vote, and that Iran has not attacked the UAE since May after heavy strikes in March.

Some operators do not expect a real recovery until late 2027, according to the report. Meanwhile, airline capacity is returning: UAE airport seat capacity reached 7.2 million in October, up 23 percent from June, per Gulf News, and British Airways resumed London-Dubai flights on November 3.

For travelers, softer demand can mean better deals, but the situation remains fluid and some regional flights are still being cancelled. If you book, choose flexible rates and check airline status before heading to the airport.

Sources: Skift, Gulf News