Dubai has launched a scheme paying residents' family and friends to visit, as tourist numbers collapse following the city's entanglement in the US-Israel war on Iran. The Dubai Invite initiative, run by the department of economy and tourism, aims to counter a sharp downturn in visitors after missile and drone strikes hit the Fairmont hotel and Dubai's international airport in February, undermining the emirate's carefully cultivated image as a safe luxury destination.

Under the scheme, UAE residents can nominate non-resident friends or relatives arriving on a valid tourist visa for a benefits package worth over 3,000 dirham (about £610), covering hotel stays, dining deals and attraction tickets, with each resident allowed up to three nominations for visitors arriving before 31 October. The downturn follows a record year in 2025, when Dubai welcomed almost 20 million tourists, but the number of airlines operating there has since halved, hotels have reported massive vacancies and revenue falls of over 50%, and landmarks such as the Burj Al Arab have brought forward closures for refurbishment. Some businesses are also offering discounts of up to 45% and free nights, and local media reported more than 10,000 applications to the scheme within its first 48 hours.