At world's biggest tourism fair in Berlin, stands from the Middle East are deserted amid Iran war

Описание: (5 Mar 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Berlin, Germany - 5 March 2026
1. Musicians performing at ITB Berlin
2. Saudi pavilion
3. Man and woman talking at Saudi pavilion
4. Pan across Qatari pavilion
5. Qatari pavilion signage
6. Close of empty chairs
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Kirsten Grieshaber, The Associated Press:
"We are here at the largest tourism fair of the world, the ITB in Berlin, where the Iran war has cast a long shadow on global travel. Many stands from the Middle East are empty because the representatives could not come due to the closed airspace. Visitors are also avoiding the stands of normally popular destinations like Dubai, Oman or Israel which have tuned into unsafe destinations now. Tourism operators, travel agencies and airlines are currently more concerned about how to bring tens of thousands of stranded travelers back home than trying to sell future trips to the Middle East. Israel has canceled its participation at the fair altogether because its representatives were unable to leave their country due to the war. It is not clear which long-term financial effect the conflict will have on the tourism industry and the economy in general, but off the record many representatives told us that they hope for a quick end of the war and the return of tourism."
8. Iraqi pavilion
9. Various of Dubai pavilion
10. Jordanian pavilion
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Ramzi Maaytah, Jordan Tourism Board managing director:
"Of course we are affected by the travel advice and this war is a regional war. But Jordan is not in the center of this war, and Jordan always has been neutral and resilient in recovery of regional crises. We had vibes of tour operators of the private sector saying that Jordan is on top of their wish list, but unfortunately these events of course will affect, but we are optimistic that once the skies are clear, that tourists will come back again to Jordan."
12. Jordanian pavilion signage
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Ramzi Maaytah, Jordan Tourism Board managing director:
"Yes, this crisis has impact beyond Jordan because it affects travel and it affects hubs like Dubai and Doha which are global travel hubs between East and West. However, you know, if this weathers away and it's not prolonged, the recovery of tourism will be fast."
14. Jordanian pavilion
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Ramzi Maaytah, Jordan Tourism Board managing director:
"Of course it affects livelihoods across the Middle East and in the world, not only the Middle East. But we are optimistic that things will be settled soon, the skies will be clear, and tourism will be resumption (resume). I hope so as well."
16. Zoom out from Bahraini pavilion signage to wide of expo pavilions
17. Omani pavilion
18. Men talking at Omani pavilion
19. Various of empty Israeli pavilion
20. Syrian pavilion
21. Man and woman talking at Syrian pavilion
STORYLINE:
The Iran war has cast a long shadow at the world's biggest tourism fair, the ITB, taking place this week in Berlin.

Many stands from Middle Eastern countries appeared deserted on Thursday as flight cancellations prevented people from being able to travel to the German capital.

Representatives from Qatar, Dubai and Israel had not made it to the fair. Other stands saw few visitors.

Tourism operators, travel agencies and airlines are currently more concerned about how to bring tens of thousands of stranded travelers back home than trying to sell future trips to the Middle East.

Ramzi Maaytah, the managing director of the Jordan Tourism Board, hoped for a quick end to the war, and expected travel to recover quickly if that was the case.




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