Dubai has seen a massive amount of growth over the years, especially as a global tourism destination. It goes without saying that the current conflict with Iran has given a lot of people pause, and has caused them to reconsider a visit to the United Arab Emirates.
Along those lines, the emirate has just launched a creative new program, rewarding locals with up to $800 in value for each visitor they refer (thanks to Aaron for flagging this).
In this post:
Dubai residents who attract visitors get up to $817 in rewards
The government of Dubai has launched the Dubai Invite program, as it’s called, whereby residents can receive benefits if they can convince friends and family to visit Dubai.
The idea is that if any residents convince visitors to come between July 20 and October 31, 2026, they can receive up to 3,000 AED ($817) in benefits. While residents can submit as many nominations as they’d like, they can receive a total of up to three benefits packages.
The process here is interesting. Residents need to submit a form with their Emirates ID and personal details, along with their guest’s arrival month, passport number, date of birth, and nationality. Then when that traveler arrives in Dubai (whether by air, sea, or road), the resident will automatically receive their benefits.
Benefits for the residents will be awarded as of August 2026, and will be valid through December 31, 2026.
This isn’t quite as generous as it might sound
When I first saw this, I thought “damn, they’re going to give $800+ for each visitor? That’s a lot to spend!” However, that’s not exactly what’s going on here.
This is described as a “benefits package” worth up to 3,000 AED. I suspect that this is costing the government very little, but instead, is sponsored by individual businesses. After all, most of the rewards are things like discounts and “buy one get one free” deals, rather than just outright getting something for free. The offers are valid across hotels, dining, attractions, and more.
For example, we’re talking things like 35-45% off hotel stays, two-for-one deals on dining, and even free tickets to water parks (though most people don’t go alone!).
Honestly, this doesn’t sound that different from the Emirates Dubai Connect program, whereby you receive perks and discounts across the UAE when presenting your Emirates boarding pass. It seems like a win-win.
Bottom line
Dubai’s tourism numbers are way down, unsurprisingly, given the current conflict with Iran. The city has seen massive growth in recent years, and this reverses that trend. So the government has come up with a creative Dubai Invite program, whereby residents can refer visitors, and receive perks for each successful referral, up to three.
Officially, this program offers up to 3,000 AED in value per referred person, which would be $800+ in value. However, this is quite a creative program in terms of the actual perks offered, since this comes more in the form of savings and discounts when visiting certain retailers. It’s almost like a “coupon book” credit card concept.
What do you make of Dubai’s new tourism referral program?
yeah...no thanks. couldn't pay me to visit that place now or ever.
officially done with dubai
I love the inclusion of the creepy dude pretending to be taking a couple's photo while he instead zooms in on the woman's face, cropping out the guy.
Judging by my experience in Dubai back in March, I don't particularly want to go back there on holiday.
While Abu Dhabi went out of its way to help stranded customers, Dubai made it clear that it wasn't willing to lose any money.
While Abu Dhabi covered the costs for customers whose flights were cancelled, Dubai did everything it could to squeeze every last penny out of them.
If a similar situation were to arise amid geopolitical risks, I would not want to be stranded in Dubai.
What's in in for the visitor? What are they going to get?
Well, hopefully not caught-up in a drone or missile strike. *gulp*
Emirates offers free medical insurance for stays of up to 15 days, I think.
That's a pretty major claim to rely on just an 'I think' for. Why not do a quick search, Ohio...
By the way, it's Etihad with the 15 day offer. (*Included* free for international passengers flying into Abu Dhabi from July through December 2026. Up to 15 days of medical protection within the UAE. Underwritten by UAE insurer Daman in partnership with the tourism department.)
Emirates isn't as generous; Emirates *sells* a paid comprehensive travel...
That's a pretty major claim to rely on just an 'I think' for. Why not do a quick search, Ohio...
By the way, it's Etihad with the 15 day offer. (*Included* free for international passengers flying into Abu Dhabi from July through December 2026. Up to 15 days of medical protection within the UAE. Underwritten by UAE insurer Daman in partnership with the tourism department.)
Emirates isn't as generous; Emirates *sells* a paid comprehensive travel cover that includes up to 30 free extension days and conflict-related medical care.
I’ve recently checked rates for a hotel we used to visit and enjoy (Le Royal Meridien) but whose rates went nuts when the inflow of Russians increased when the Ukraine war started. Was thinking maybe the rates would now be more rational again and with a flex booking I’d take the risk and see how it develops. Well, turns out price is still at the same high level, also for other hotels at the main...
I’ve recently checked rates for a hotel we used to visit and enjoy (Le Royal Meridien) but whose rates went nuts when the inflow of Russians increased when the Ukraine war started. Was thinking maybe the rates would now be more rational again and with a flex booking I’d take the risk and see how it develops. Well, turns out price is still at the same high level, also for other hotels at the main spots like Jumeirah beach etc. So they can refer as much as they want, that doesn’t make me wanna stay at a hotel off the beaten path which may have a slight discount. Seems the steady inflow of Russian vacationers who don’t seem to care about the risk helps them.
Probably discounts for empty (and overpriced/tourist trap) dining and attractions, that are empty because there aren't many tourists. Sounds like it probably costs the government close to $0.
Hang out with the Kamelas .
An expensive and over priced place that is clinical and sterile without character and soul.
I can't imagine being so bored that I'd visit Dubai in the best of times. Have absolutely no intent to visit Dubai now.
"Poor" Dubay , and the "influencers" in the dump . ( shreeking with the sheiks )
Yet friends of mine, who have visited Dubai in the past and always honor their visas, were rejected. One of the lower end Hilton's was $30/night. We booked for 30 days but canceled. Screw UAE if they don't want our business.
What were you going to do in Dubai for a whole month? Or the whole UAE, for that matter?
Basically its an free Entertainment coupon book like the old days for making referrals!
Another datat point: I flew Emirates round trip through DXB last weekend. All of my flights operated as normal, and the flights were packed, as was DXB.
All the Russians who usually love to go there have been sent to the meat-grinder in Ukraine.
Not *all* of them, yet. Slava Ukraini!
True, that. Let's just say...it's a good start. Slava Ukraini!!!
Unfortunately it's the young lads who can't afford an escape who've been sent to their deaths in Ukraine. I don't celebrate the demise of the boys who've died a horrible death & been left to rot in a field for Putin's megalomaniacal, vainglorious cause. The Russian command doesn't even retrieve them for a proper burial. Putin and his generals are monsters without honour.
Pete, that's fair. I wish those boys would instead rise up to overthrow Putin the war criminal. If they're going to die, either way, might as well sacrifice themselves for the greater good.
As for those alleged failed retrievals, that's by-design. Because, if they did, the Russian government would then have to pay the dead soldiers' families. Instead, if they can merely be 'missing' they aren't 'dead' so no pay-out. Everything is corrupt.
Even if there weren't buzz bombs flying overhead.....nope. Most disgusting place on earth, and I lived in Baghdad.
I would be happy to travel to UAE at this time, in fact it's something I'd like to do in lieu of a trip I had to cancel earlier this year (pre-war) but the prices are still quite insane, both when it comes to EK flights and hotels. Either this talk of tourism being down is significantly overblown, or the market somehow resists to normal forces.
I checked prices too and they're insane.
I wouldn't want to transit via Dubai during this period. Let alone visit.
For years, Dubai looked the other way as sanctioned equipment disappeared in the Free Trade Zone to Iran. U.S. federal court documents and dozens of federal criminal investigations back this up. The Sheik got his money and is now suffering the consequences. Sorry not sorry.
Yes but the flights especially in first and business seem to be full with Emirates, and functioning though maybe with slight delays in and out of Dubai? Had anyone experienced any issues at all?
Not Dubai, but Matthew at LALF had an itinerary booked through Doha in mid-March 2026, which he canceled due to the risks, airspace closures. Fast forward, he just connected through Doha in July 2026 on Qatar LAX-DOH-DEL, with an 8-hour layover, and posted about it recently. Both flights full. Fortunately, he did not experience any major logistical issues.
While he got lucky, the folks in Kuwait did not. 1 dead, 63 injured from a strike...
Not Dubai, but Matthew at LALF had an itinerary booked through Doha in mid-March 2026, which he canceled due to the risks, airspace closures. Fast forward, he just connected through Doha in July 2026 on Qatar LAX-DOH-DEL, with an 8-hour layover, and posted about it recently. Both flights full. Fortunately, he did not experience any major logistical issues.
While he got lucky, the folks in Kuwait did not. 1 dead, 63 injured from a strike on KWI on June 3. It really comes down to the luck of timing, right now. Things have recently escalated again.
Spoke too soon. Matthew just flew Emirates and just posted about it today. He lived.
EK have trimmed their frequencies across Europe, LHR for instance removed an A380 per day same from AMS and the extra aircraft for Stansted and Gatwick have also been shelved.
Vinod, I await your white-paper on how Dubai is safer in-war than US 'inner-cities'... *facepalm*
Isn't that the case? Fatalities and serious injuries in Dubai have been extremely low throughout the war and certainly are far less of a concern than violent crime in more dangerous part of the world.
+1
Samo, I see you are attempting to do Vinod's dirty-work for him. Low casualty counts in a one area don't negate regional operational risk. Comparing municipal crime rates to active airspace instability and targeted infrastructure strikes is an apples-to-oranges comparison.
I don’t think any kind of white paper is needed. I believe it is obvious if one does not allow sensationalism from the news media to overwhelm.
I have had the privilege of living in many countries, and even in countries that are active conflict / war zones, and I will say that what is currently happening in the ME is certainly concerning but not certainly not all doom and gloom.
Sure the ME...
I don’t think any kind of white paper is needed. I believe it is obvious if one does not allow sensationalism from the news media to overwhelm.
I have had the privilege of living in many countries, and even in countries that are active conflict / war zones, and I will say that what is currently happening in the ME is certainly concerning but not certainly not all doom and gloom.
Sure the ME is less safe today vs January, but it is still safer than inner city neighborhoods in our country that have a lot of violent crime.
And of course, it is sad that people have lost their lives in this conflict with many families impacted in an unimaginable way - I am not arguing that.
Oof, Vinod. You had to hire Samo as your mercenary on here? Again, you are dismissing direct strikes on regional transit hubs as 'not all doom and gloom' doesn't make them any less of a risk. Localized street crime is a predictable municipal issue; multi-national drone warfare hitting critical aviation infrastructure is a different category of hazard. To be 'safe' transiting DXB or DOH, these days, we need to be 'lucky' (or Matthew, he just did both; see LALF.)
Localized street crime? More like thugs and gangs running amok.
Like you always say ‘you do you’.
I will continue to have no issues transiting the ME if needed.
For your sake, Vinod... "Inshallah, I hope so." -- Anne Hathaway, April 2026.
For your sake, Vinod... "Inshallah, I hope so." -- Anne Hathaway, April 2026.
Tourism is always slow over the summer there because it's so unbearably hot.
Don't they offer something like this every summer?