Dubai Launches £610 Visitor Incentive as Tourism Slumps Amid Regional Tensions

Dubai is rolling out a new program offering up to £610 in travel perks to friends and relatives of UAE residents, aiming to revive a tourism sector hit hard by the escalating conflict in the region. The Dubai Invite scheme, run by the emirate’s Department of Economy and Tourism, allows each resident to nominate up to three visitors arriving before October 31, with benefits—including hotel stays, dining credits, and attraction tickets—redeemable through December.

The initiative comes as Dubai’s tourism numbers show signs of strain. After welcoming a record 20 million visitors in 2025, international passenger traffic has dropped sharply. Local media reported on Thursday that the scheme drew more than 10,000 applications in its first 48 hours. Yet the downturn is evident: the number of airlines operating at Dubai airports has halved, according to industry sources, as carriers avoid routes over the Middle East amid missile exchanges between Iran and the US-Israel coalition. Hotels report vacancy rates climbing and revenue declines exceeding 50%, with some properties—including the iconic Burj Al Arab—shuttering for renovations.

The conflict has rattled Dubai’s image as a safe haven for the ultra-rich. In February, Iran launched missiles and drones that struck the Fairmont hotel and Dubai International Airport, marking the first direct attack on the emirate’s soil. Though no casualties were confirmed, the incident shattered the perception of Dubai as a gilded playground insulated from regional volatility. Many hotels now offer discounts of up to 45% or free nights to lure guests, while the government’s new scheme aims to rebuild confidence—one nominated visitor at a time.