₹79,000 Dubai Tourist Referral Program: What It Is & How You Can Benefit

Dubai has launched a new campaign urging residents to invite friends and relatives to visit the emirate after tourism was hit by the recent conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

The move comes just months after Dubai celebrated a record year for tourism, welcoming 19.59 million international visitors in 2025. But visitor numbers have plummeted since the conflict, with hotel occupancy dropping from around 80% to an estimated 10% after rocket attacks on the emirate in March, CNN reported.

“Dubai Invite” offers rewards worth up to AED 3,000

To attract more tourists, the authorities have introduced “A Dubai Invite”, a program that offers UAE citizens and residents prize packages worth up to AED 3,000 (approx. ₹78,300) for inviting family members or friends to visit Dubai.

Launched earlier this month, the program is open to people aged 18 and over who hold a valid Emirates ID. Each participant can nominate up to three guests traveling to Dubai by October 31. Rewards include hotel stays and dining deals.

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According to Visit Dubai, nominated visitors must live outside the UAE, have a valid tourist visa and arrive by air, sea or road.

Commenting on the initiative, Noor Al Geziry‎, AVP, Special Projects & MENA‎ at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), told CNN: “At a time when personal connection and credibility matter more than ever in travel decisions, ‘A Dubai Invite’ speaks directly to what makes this city enduringly appealing: the people who experience it best, welcoming it home and the families who understand it.

Many residents welcomed the program. YouTuber and beauty editor Lauren O’Connell, who moved from the US to Dubai in 2009, called it a good idea.

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“I think it’s a very positive initiative,” O’Connell told CNN.

She added: “I’ve invited family members who have been talking about visiting Dubai for the past few years. It gives people who already love living in Dubai another reason to encourage friends and family to make the trip.”

The invitation program is part of a broader effort to revive tourism. Dubai also suspended the nightly hotel tax at higher-end hotels and removed the 7% municipal tax that was previously charged to hotel and restaurant bills.

The city is working to rebuild its image as a tourist destination after Iran launched missile and drone attacks in the Middle East earlier this year, targeting Dubai.

Impact of the Iran-Israel-US War

Although most of the missiles were intercepted, some famous landmarks were damaged, including the Fairmont The Palm resort and the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab hotel. The Burj Al Arab is currently closed for an 18-month refurbishment programme.

Dubai International Airport also temporarily closed in March, while airlines such as British Airways and Emirates suspended flights for a period.

While damaged buildings can be repaired and many flights have been restored, officials continue to face the challenge of restoring passenger confidence.

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Earlier this year, Cinzia Bianco, an expert on the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf region at the European Council on Foreign Relations, wrote on X: “This is the ultimate nightmare for Dubai because its very essence depends on being a safe oasis in a troubled region.”

She added: “Maybe there is a way to be resilient, but there is no turning back.”

Several governments continue to advise caution when traveling to the UAE. The United States has urged travelers to reconsider visiting the country.