Skift Global Forum East Returns to Abu Dhabi to Debate Gulf Travel's Next Phase
Skift Global Forum East will hold its fifth edition in Abu Dhabi on December 8-9, 2026, with Experience Abu Dhabi as host. The event will examine whether the Gulf's travel growth and traveler confidence can withstand the Iran-U.S. war. Planned discussions include capital investment, AI in revenue and service, demand recovery, mega-event legacies, and the mix of hotel and rental supply expected by 2028.
The forum’s discussions could influence how tourism businesses, investors, workers, and local communities prepare for uncertainty. If leaders prioritize resilience and demand recovery, travelers may see more stable services and destinations; if capital and visitor confidence falter, employment and small businesses linked to hospitality could be affected. The event may also shape how AI and rental supply are integrated, with consequences for service quality, housing availability, and the distribution of tourism’s economic benefits. These outcomes remain uncertain and depend on decisions made across the region. Count: The1 forum’s2 discussions3 could4 influence5 how6 tourism7 businesses,8 investors,9 workers,10 and11 local12 communities13 prepare14 for15 uncertainty.16 If17 leaders18 prioritize19 resilience20 and21 demand22 recovery,23 travelers24 may25 see26 more27 stable28 services29 and30 destinations;31 if32 capital33 and34 visitor35 confidence36 falter,37 employment38 and39 small40