The emirate of Dubai will offer discounts and privileges worth up to €700 to residents who invite relatives and friends to visit, the Dubai Media Office announced, as the tourism sector continues to recover from months of regional war.
A new invitation scheme
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism has launched the 'A Dubai Invite' programme, encouraging residents to act as ambassadors for the city by hosting relatives, according to the Dubai Media Office. The scheme runs until the end of October.
Terms of the offer
According to the Dubai government website, residents who host new travellers between 20 July and 31 October will benefit from privileges worth more than 3,000 dirhams (approximately €716), in the form of hotel discounts or vouchers for restaurants, entertainment parks and other attractions. Residents can register their chosen guests on the website to access the offer.
Low season for Gulf tourism
Summer is typically the low season for tourism in the UAE, with temperatures reaching as high as 50°C.
Impact of regional conflict
Dubai attracts 19.5 million visitors annually, making it one of the region's most popular destinations and a long-standing draw for celebrities worldwide. However, the war between Iran and the United States, which began with Israeli-American strikes on Iran in late February, has undermined the image of stability long associated with the Gulf monarchies.
These countries, allies of the United States, have frequently found themselves targeted by Iran in retaliation for American strikes on Iranian territory. At the start of the war, during the high winter season, the UAE was heavily affected by Iranian missiles and drones, which struck hotels including the artificial island The Palm and the landmark Burj Al Arab, prompting an exodus of tourists.
Gradual recovery amid renewed hostilities
Although the UAE was not affected by the renewed hostilities that began on 7 July, and despite the return of a small number of tourists following the April ceasefire, hotel occupancy continues to rely largely on the domestic market, industry sources told AFP.
Government financial support
In May, the government allocated $400 million (€350 million) to help tourism businesses cope with the effects of the war, following an initial package of more than $270 million (€236 million) at the end of March.
Source: AFP
