Dubai is offering its residents benefits for attracting friends and family to visit the emirate in an effort to revive tourism numbers, as reported by theguardian.com. The initiative, named the Dubai Invite scheme, has been launched by the emirate’s department of economy and tourism. Under the program, residents of the United Arab Emirates have the opportunity to nominate friends and relatives living outside the country. If the nominated individuals subsequently visit Dubai, the resident can receive benefits worth more than 3,000 UAE dirham (approximately 7,800 Swedish kronor or 817 USD).
Dubai Launches New Scheme to Revive Tourism Following Regional Conflict
According to Visit Dubai’s website, the benefit packages include hotel stays, dining offers, and tickets to tourist attractions. Local media reported that the initiative generated immense initial interest, attracting more than 10,000 applications within the first 48 hours of its announcement.
Rules, Eligibility, and Travel Advisory Updates
Participation in the Dubai Invite scheme is subject to specific conditions outlined by the department of economy and tourism. Each resident is eligible to receive a maximum of three benefit packages for visitors arriving before October 31. While visitors must arrive before the end of October, the earned benefits can be redeemed until December.
To qualify for the program, the invited travelers must meet strict criteria:
- Must be non-UAE residents
- Must enter the country on a valid tourist visa
- Can only be nominated once by a single resident
The launch of the tourism initiative follows a shifting geopolitical and travel landscape in the region. On February 28, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs decided to advise against non-essential travel to several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, due to a worsened security situation. However, that travel advisory for the United Arab Emirates was officially lifted on July 3, paving the way for the emirate to attract visitors back according to Marcus Oscarsson. Additionally, airlines are looking toward future travel demand; SAS has planned a new direct flight route to Dubai from Copenhagen beginning in late October and continuing through March 2027.
Impact on the Hospitality Sector and Infrastructure
The incentive program was introduced to counter a significant downturn in the United Arab Emirates’ tourism sector. In February, regional conflict escalated when Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes that hit the world-famous Fairmont hotel and Dubai International Airport. These attacks disrupted the emirate’s reputation as a safe, conflict-free luxury destination, following a record-breaking year in 2025 that saw nearly 20 million tourists visit the city.
In the wake of the conflict, the number of airlines operating at Dubai’s airports halved. Businesses have reported revenue declines of more than 50%, alongside widespread hotel vacancies. In response to the slowdown, several prominent hotels have closed entirely to accelerate major renovation plans. Notably, the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab luxury hotel has closed for an 18-month restoration project. Meanwhile, other operating hotels and local businesses are supporting the government scheme by offering additional promotions, such as discounts of up to 45% and free nights as noted by Vietnam.vn.
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