US, March 4 -- A rapidly escalating conflict involving Iran has triggered massive global travel disruptions, stranding tens of thousands of passengers across the Gulf region and grounding airlines that serve as vital connectors between Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia in addition to closed destinations such as Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Bahrhain or Kuwait.

The ripple effects are now being felt worldwide-from major international hubs in the Middle East to global events such as ITB Berlin, the world's largest travel trade show.

At the normally bustling exhibition halls in Berlin, the stands of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia-traditionally among the busiest and most influential-are noticeably quiet. Many tourism official...