---
title: "Dubai pays residents to invite tourists: how the emirate is saving the industry after the war"
description: "Dubai has launched the A Dubai Invite program: emirate residents receive bonuses of up to $800 for every invited tourist. The initiative aims to restore the flow of guests after a drop in demand due to the war in the Middle East and attacks on the airport. More than 10,000 applications were submitted in the first two days."
date: 2026-07-24T01:20:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/dubai-pays-residents-to-invite-tourists-how-the-emirate-is-saving-the-industry-after-the-war
tags: [dubai, uae, tourism, middle-east-war, emaar]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Dubai pays residents to invite tourists: how the emirate is saving the industry after the war

![Dubai Marina panorama with yacht on canal: symbol of UAE tourism industry revival after crisis](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/24/dubai-platit-zhiteлям-za-priglashenie-turistov-kak-emiirat-spasaet-industriyu/dubai-platit-zhiteлям-za-priglashenie-turistov-kak-emiirat-spasaet-industriyu-1.webp)

Dubai, accustomed to skyscrapers and records, has faced a challenge that cannot be solved merely by building new hotels. The emirate's authorities have launched an aggressive loyalty program, the essence of which is simple: local residents receive money for inviting friends to vacation. This is an attempt to restore the tourist flow, which has plummeted against the backdrop of the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

### A Dubai Invite Program: money for friends

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism has introduced an initiative called A Dubai Invite. The mechanism of the program is transparent: residents of the United Arab Emirates receive financial rewards if their acquaintances or relatives fly to the emirate as tourists.

The bonus amounts are impressive. For each invited guest, a Dubai resident can receive a package of benefits worth more than 3,000 dirhams (approximately $800 USD or €700). This package includes:

    - Free nights in hotels;

    - Significant discounts at restaurants;

    - Tickets to popular tourist attractions;

    - Other exclusive offers.

The terms of participation are clearly regulated. The invited guest must be a non-resident of the UAE and enter the country on a tourist visa. A critical factor is the deadline: the tourist must arrive in Dubai by October 31. At the same time, each resident is entitled to receive up to three such reward packages, which can be used until the end of the year.

### Response to the security crisis

As The Guardian notes, the launch of the program was a forced reaction to a sharp decline in tourist activity. Despite the emirate welcoming a record nearly 20 million tourists in 2025, the current situation has changed radically. The escalation of the war, involving the US, Israel, and Iran, has engulfed the Persian Gulf region and hit Dubai's reputation.

A key factor was the event in February: Iranian missile and drone attacks, during which Dubai International Airport and several famous hotels were damaged. After this, the city lost its status as a safe destination for many travelers. The consequences became obvious: the number of international flights decreased significantly, and hotels faced colossal losses. Some establishments were forced to close temporarily or postpone planned large-scale renovations to a calmer period.

### Business enters the game

The state initiative did not remain the only tool in the fight for the customer. The private sector also began to stimulate demand by offering its own terms. Many Dubai hotels have lowered prices, offering discounts of up to 45%, free nights, and other attractive promotions to fill empty rooms.

Interest in the A Dubai Invite program turned out to be higher than authorities expected. According to local media, more than 10,000 applications were submitted within the first 48 hours of launch. This indicates that the population of the emirate is ready to actively participate in restoring the tourism industry.

Experts remind us that Dubai already experienced a period of returning to normal life when the ceasefire between the US and Iran allowed for relaxation. However, as RBC-Ukraine wrote, even at the peak of the conflict in the Middle East, thousands of planes continued to fly over the Arab Emirates, despite the constant threat in the air. Now, the authorities are betting on the personal interest of residents to restore the resort's former popularity.