Dubai offers $700 incentives to residents to attract visitors amid Iran war fallout

Dubai is launching an ambitious program to lure tourists back, offering its residents incentives valued at around 700 euros ($700) to bring visitors to the city. This initiative aims to revitalize Dubai's economy, which has been significantly impacted by the recent Iran war.

Under the new scheme, Dubai residents can earn benefits such as discounts on hotel stays, restaurant meals, and attraction tickets. These rewards are available for bringing up to three visitors who are not residents of the United Arab Emirates and enter the country on a tourist visa. The program is active for visitors arriving between now and the end of October.

Dubai, known for its modern skyscrapers and luxury tourism, experienced a record nearly 20 million foreign visitors last year. However, the conflict, which began in late February with attacks by the U.S. and Israel, has affected the emirate. Iranian attacks targeted oil facilities and the Dubai airport, leading to a sharp decline in business and halving the number of active airlines.

The city is actively working to mitigate the damage and preserve its reputation as a premier destination for business and entertainment. The rapid uptake of the program, with over 10,000 applications in the first two days, suggests a strong local response to the call for boosting tourism.