The conflict in Iran has led to dozens upon dozens of unexpected tourism outcomes.
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First and foremost, travelers have been hit with rising transportation costs as oil prices continue to fluctuate. Second, major airport hubs in the Middle East (including award-winning airports like Doha) have turned into ghost towns. Third, tourism in the area has taken an equally serious hit.
That last point is especially sore for countries like Oman, the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, which have, collectively, poured billions into developing tourism sectors. As recently as February of this year, they were booming.
Now, tourism has slowed as violent conflict grips the region with no reliable end in sight. To sweeten the deal and inject more interest in local tourism, the Government of Dubai has an idea: Get locals to invite their friends, and sweeten the deal with a little cash. Here’s what to know.
Inside the Dubai Invite program
Dubbed a ‘Dubai Invite’, this newly launched program works by asking locals to invite their loved ones to experience the best in Dubai. The idea is that travelers who are a little nervous about visiting the Middle East during a time of conflict might not feel so worried if a family member or close friend invites them.
As the program puts it, ‘You’re their best reason to visit’.
Here’s how it works. Eligible residents can invite loved ones to visit between now and October 31, 2026. Those who successfully bring in visitors will be given special benefits that total around $800 or AED 3,000. They can receive up to three of these packages.
The packages include dozens of perks aimed at Dubai’s tourism industry, from hotels to fine dining to major attractions. Residents simply sign up their loved ones, which is called ‘nominating’. When they visit, immigration authorities will see that they’ve been logged into the ‘Dubai Invite’ system. Hosts will automatically receive an email that unlocks the various offers.
The offers are worth mentioning here. While the promise of $800 worth of special benefits might sound a little too good to be true, there are some pretty sweet offers. For example, you can save up to 45% on stays at the Melia Desert Palm. You can also save 20% on five journeys with Careem Rides, a pretty nice perk considering you can walk to take the bus in Dubai.
