Dubai offers rewards to residents as tourism suffers from Iran war
711 Min Read
Dubai has launched a scheme offering residents rewards worth more than 700 euro if they encourage friends and relatives to visit, as the emirate attempts to revive tourism hit by the escalating Middle East conflict.
The Dubai Invite initiative allows UAE residents to nominate non-resident visitors and receive benefit packages worth over 3,000 dirhams, including hotel stays, restaurant offers and attraction tickets. Each resident can claim up to three packages for visitors arriving before the end of October.
The scheme comes after a sharp downturn in Dubai’s tourism industry following the US-Israel war with Iran, which saw missiles and drones strike locations including Dubai airport and a luxury hotel, damaging the city’s reputation as a safe regional destination.
Dubai welcomed nearly 20 million tourists in 2025, but airlines have since reduced operations as travellers avoid routes across the Middle East. Hotels and businesses have reported major revenue declines, with some properties offering heavy discounts or bringing forward renovation plans.
The government-backed campaign has already attracted significant interest, with more than 10,000 applications reportedly submitted within its first 48 hours. Businesses are hoping incentives will help restore visitor confidence and revive the tourism sector ahead of the winter travel season.
