Business Daily Can the Gulf stay open for business?
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Mar 5, 2026 Serana Pavolescu, a Middle East political risk partner; Karan Trahan, a Bahrain-based businessman in real estate and recruitment; Mohamed Awaladala, CEO of a Dubai hotel group; and Samir Hashmi, a Gulf-focused business journalist. They discuss regional security shocks, impacts on tourism and hotel bookings, real estate and investor sentiment, and which sectors are most exposed to rising tensions.
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Gulf Rebrand From Oil To Global Hubs
- Gulf states spent decades rebranding from oil producers to global hubs for tourism, finance and tech.
- Cities like Dubai, Doha and Riyadh used events, adverts and relaxed social rules to attract wealthy expats and international capital.
Gulf States Use Wealth Funds To Drive Tech Ambitions
- Abu Dhabi is targeting AI with large US partnerships and plans for the largest AI campus outside the US, while Qatar focuses on quant technology post-World Cup.
- Sovereign wealth funds across UAE, Saudi and Qatar hold $3–4 trillion, fueling strategic investments abroad and at home.
Family Flees Hotel After Air Attacks
- Holidaymakers Matthew McGinn and Leila Hamoud stayed at the Fairmont Palm during an air attack and said they would leave as soon as airspace reopened.
- Their fear followed a fire at the hotel during the strikes and left them eager to return home with their children.