Casa Árabe and Strategic Gears present their Arab Economic Intelligence Reports 

The first of these documents, available in the form of a newsletter and a PDF file, analyzes the “Impact of the war in Iran on mobility and tourism in the Arab world.” It has been published in a trilingual edition that includes Spanish, English, and Arabic, providing analysis of current economic developments across various sectors. 

Casa Árabe and Strategic Gears Management Consultancy, the leading management consulting firm in Saudi Arabia, have presented the first of their Arab Economic Intelligence reports in Madrid, consisting of a new publication developed jointly by these two organizations in order to promote strategic analysis and an understanding of the key factors involved in Arab markets and their change across time, with the goal of facilitating and supporting business cooperation between Spain and Arab countries. 

The document, devoted to the Impact of the war in Iran on mobility and tourism in the Arab world, has been published in the form of a trilingual edition in Spanish, English and Arabic, which is available in the form of a PDF document and a newsletter on a subscription basis (click here and choose the option Economics and Business). 

Tourism is a true cornerstone of international trade in the services industry and economic development, and the Arab region has become one of the fastest-growing beneficiaries of tourism over the last decade. As part of these countries’ economic diversification efforts, many in the region have made significant investments in air connectivity, hotel infrastructure and the development of tourist destinations in recent years, all of which have positioned a number of Arab economies at the center of international tourism and travel. As a result, the region’s airports currently handle approximately 14% of global air transit flights combined. However, these developments are being majorly affected by the recent war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran, producing a new layer of geopolitical uncertainty throughout the region. 

In this opening edition of Arab Economic Intelligence, Casa Árabe and Strategic Gears examine developments in the tourism sector and mobility in the region and how the current situation is affecting different segments within the Arab economies, from the oil-exporting countries in the Gulf to the tourism-dependent, middle-income economies of North Africa and the Middle East. It also assesses the potential implications for the region’s tourism sector, one of the most globally integrated pillars of Arab economic activity. Among the scenarios outlined in the report is a projected 11% decrease in international arrivals to the region in the event of a brief scenario, thought this amount could reach 27% if the conflict endures, in a situation that would result in the loss of one entire season, the cancellation of major events and a recovery period of more than one year. 

The publication of these reports is the first in a series of actions being implemented under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two entities in December 2025, in which they committed to launching joint strategic intelligence content, meetings and tools designed to strengthen economic, institutional and cultural ties between Spain, Europe and the Arab world. 

The signing of this Memorandum coincides with the opening of an office by the consulting firm in Madrid, a city which plays a key role as a center for Euro-Arab economic and cultural dialogue for Strategic Gears, while strengthening the company’s commitment to backing initiatives that have the potential to build bridges between the two regions.