The war in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through the global travel industry. With airspace closures and major hubs like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi largely shut down, hundreds of thousands of passengers are facing uncertainty.

Airlines have canceled tens of thousands of flights, and cruise routes are disrupted as the region's role as a key connector between Europe, Asia and Africa comes under the scanner.

At the ITB tourism fair in Berlin, concerns over the conflict overshadow industry optimism, even as experts stress how vital Gulf markets remain for international travel. How long the turmoil will last — and how the sector adapts — remains an open question.