Eye on Travel — Monaco — March 7, 2026

Peter Greenberg opens the Monaco‑based Forbes Travel Guide summit by warning that the ongoing airspace shutdowns across Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi have crippled global connectivity. With more than 600,000 passengers stranded, airlines refuse charter missions until insurance clauses covering acts of war are satisfied. The episode shows how the economic engine of aviation—cargo, mail and essential goods—forces regulators to consider reopening skies within 48 hours, even if safety remains uncertain. Wall Street’s reaction underscores the staggering financial ripple that closed air corridors generate for every travel‑linked sector.

Greenberg advises travelers to adopt a three‑step intelligence routine: read the full U.S. State Department advisory, consult the British Foreign Office briefing, and monitor at least thirty issues of a local English‑language newspaper. This layered approach mitigates surprise cancellations and protects against non‑refundable losses, since airline‑initiated refunds differ from passenger‑initiated cancellations. He also references recent Mexican cartel violence, noting that only a handful of tourists were affected, reinforcing that informed risk assessment—not fear—should guide itinerary decisions.

The conversation then shifts to hospitality, where Lindsay Ubaroth of Preferred Hotel Group argues that brand proliferation alone cannot replace emotional connection. Guests remember warm greetings, sensory cues, and intuitive design—such as accessible outlets, functional hair dryers, and well‑placed shower controls—far more than self‑service kiosks. While AI can streamline check‑in, true loyalty stems from staff empathy and thoughtful room details, especially for women travelers. The panel concludes that hotels must blend technology with human touch, using data to anticipate needs without sacrificing the personal interactions that turn a stay into a lasting memory.