Up to $816 per tourist: Dubai launches new program to attract foreign guests
Despite record tourist flow figures in 2025, Dubai authorities have begun implementing a new program to attract foreign guests following a noticeable decline in the number of travelers after the escalation of the situation in the Middle East.
At the beginning of the year, the emirate reported a new historic achievement in tourism, with 19.59 million foreign tourists visiting Dubai during 2025. However, as local sources report, the situation changed substantially after the recent military conflict between Israel, the United States of America, and Iran. Against the backdrop of rising regional tensions and missile attacks, the tourism industry faced a sharp drop in demand.
According to available estimates, hotel occupancy levels, which previously reached about 80 percent, could fall to approximately 10 percent in the coming months. Authorities are seeking to restore travelers' confidence and return Dubai to its reputation as one of the safest tourist destinations in the Middle East.
To this end, a new program called "Invitation to Dubai" was launched, providing incentives to residents and citizens of the United Arab Emirates for inviting foreign guests to visit the emirate.
Under the initiative, program participants may be provided with gift packages worth up to 3,000 dirhams (about 816 dollars) for inviting relatives or friends.
The program is open to individuals over 18 years of age who hold a valid Emirates ID. Each participant may invite up to three people, who can take advantage of the offer from now until October 31.
As the tourism organization Visit Dubai clarifies, invited guests must reside permanently outside the United Arab Emirates, hold a valid tourist visa, and arrive in the country by air, sea, or land transport.
Program participants are offered a range of benefits, including hotel stays and special offers at dining establishments. According to the organizers, the initiative should stimulate inbound tourism and help restore the tourism sector after the decline in foreign visitors.
The new program is part of a broader strategy to support the tourism industry. Earlier, authorities had already taken a number of measures to increase the emirate's attractiveness, including temporarily suspending the collection of tax on stays in high-category hotels, as well as canceling the 7 percent municipal fee that was previously included in hotel and restaurant bills.
Source: CNN
