Know someone living in Dubai? Here’s how you could visit them for less

In the latest bid to attract tourists, Dubai is offering discounts worth up to €700 – but only for residents who invite someone to come and visit them.

The Dubai government website says residents in the emirate wishing to invite friends and family to visit from 20 July to 31 October can “receive benefits worth over AED 3,000 (€716), including hotel stays, dining experiences, attraction tickets and more”.

Residents can nominate people they wish to invite on the Visit Dubai website, and in return they will receive discounts such as 45% off stays at Meliá Desert Palm, free tickets to Aquaventure and IMG Worlds of Adventure, and two-for-one deals at restaurants such as ULA, Asia Asia and The 305.

That means if you take your visitor out to any of these spots, you’ll be paying half as much as usual, benefitting both you and them.

“The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism launches ‘A Dubai Invite’, inviting residents to become ambassadors of the city by welcoming their loved ones to Dubai,” the Dubai media office said in a post on X.

With 19.5 million yearly tourists, Dubai is among the region’s top destinations and was long seen as a playground for the world’s rich and famous.

Summers are usually a low season for tourists in the United Arab Emirates, a mostly desert country where temperatures can reach 50C.

The impact of the Iran war on Dubai

Although the UAE has so far not been hit in the latest round of US-Iran escalation, the war that erupted in February shattered the Gulf’s image as a haven of stability, with Tehran directing its fury at the oil-rich region.

The UAE bore the brunt of Iran’s missiles and drones, which hit hotels, including on the Palm, as well as its landmark Burj Al Arab resort and sent tourists fleeing during the winter high season.

Since a shaky ceasefire came into effect on 8 April some tourists have trickled in, but hotels are mostly relying on local guests, people working in the industry told the AFP news agency.

In May, the Dubai government approved an economic package worth more than $400 million (€350 million) to help businesses struggling to cope with the aftermath of the war and Iran’s blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

The incentives included exemptions from municipal fees for hotels and restaurants, reduced fines for customs violations and lower fees for civil aviation permits.

In late March, Dubai authorities had announced a first package worth more than $270 million (€236 million) to help businesses and families.

Airlines in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, unveiled travel insurance schemes to entice travellers back last month.

Those flying to Dubai with Emirates will be able to add on comprehensive travel cover, which crucially is not affected by foreign office advice, for an additional fee.

While the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has no advice currently in place for travellers headed to the emirates, countries such as Australia have upgraded its warning to say you should “reconsider your need to travel”.