WiT Phocuswright Middle East moves to Barcelona

The travel industry has been forced to confront uncertainty and ongoing disruption in recent months.

The Middle East conflict is just one example. To dive into many of the issues and challenges facing the travel industry, WiT Phocuswright Middle East will take place in Barcelona on June 15, a day before Phocuswright Europe.

The two events, held at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya, will bring together industry leaders to discuss the future of travel amid turbulent times.

Moving the event, originally planned for Dubai, not only reflects the uncertainty in the region but also allows for broader discussion and a wider range of perspectives.

Until early 2026, the Middle East was one of travel’s most dynamic growth markets, fuelled by aviation expansion, capital investment and bold ambitions.

The event theme “The Next 20: Game On—When The Ground Shifts” draws on the sudden disruption in the destination's tourism growth trajectory and what that means for the entire industry.

What has truly changed? What remains strong? And how should leaders rethink strategy in a more volatile world?

Building strategy from shock

The one-day program is designed to cover everything from the immediate fallout to the long-term opportunity.

Leaders from across the travel ecosystem will share firsthand perspectives on navigating disruption, from regional players such as Wego and Almosafer, to global online companies including Booking.com and Trip.com Group.

Sessions will include data-driven insights from Phocuswright and VIDEC to provide real-time market signals. Others will focus on payments, experiences, aviation and social commerce to explore how the industry is evolving beneath the surface.

A look ahead

A closing session, “10 Big Bets: What We Now Believe,” will bring together industry leaders to sift through the day’s insights to find signals for the future.

“Travel has always been shaped by moments like this,” said Yeoh Siew Hoon, founder of WiT. “When the ground shifts, the instinct is to react. But what matters more is how we reflect, recalibrate and move forward. Barcelona gives us the space to do that—to step back, connect the dots and look ahead with intent.”

“The Middle East remains one of the most important regions in global travel. This is not a pause in its story, but a moment to better understand its trajectory,” said Pete Comeau, managing director of Phocuswright. “Bringing this conversation to a global stage allows us to do just that.”

Delegates joining us from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) will receive access to Phocuswright Europe, while Phocuswright Europe registrants can attend WiT Phocuswright Middle East at a nominal fee.