UAE

10,000 Applications Flood Dubai’s New Tourism Campaign as Residents Earn Over AED 3,000 in Travel Rewards: Dubai is giving residents a compelling new reason to invite family and friends from abroad. The emirate has launched “A Dubai Invite,” a tourism initiative that rewards UAE citizens and residents with exclusive hotel, dining, attraction, and transport benefits worth more than AED 3,000 for every eligible visitor they bring to Dubai.

The campaign, introduced by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has generated exceptional interest, receiving more than 10,000 applications within the first 48 hours of its launch. The overwhelming response has prompted officials to review the initial cap on the number of reward packages available.

Speaking on Dubai Eye’s Business Breakfast, Noor Algeziry, Associate Vice President for MENA & Special Projects at DET, said the response had exceeded expectations.

“We’ve seen an overwhelming response,” Algeziry said, noting that the department is reassessing the reward package limits due to the high demand.

Driving Tourism Through Resident Ambassadors

The initiative is part of Dubai’s broader strategy to increase international arrivals during the summer and autumn travel season while encouraging residents to become ambassadors for the city.

Residents aged 18 years and above with a valid Emirates ID can nominate family members or friends living outside the UAE before they travel. Once the visitor arrives in Dubai between July 20 and October 31, 2026, and their entry is verified through official border systems, the resident receives an email within 72 hours containing a package of exclusive offers.

The rewards remain valid until December 31, 2026, unless specific participating partners specify earlier expiry dates.

Rewards Worth More Than AED 3,000

Eligible residents can receive reward packages featuring:

• Hotel stay discounts
• Restaurant and dining offers
• Attraction and entertainment experiences
• Transportation benefits
• Leisure and lifestyle promotions

Participating hospitality and travel partners include:

• W Dubai Mina Seyahi
• The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi
• Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Waterpark
• Meliá Desert Palm
• IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Careem
• Hala

Each resident can receive a maximum of three reward packages during the campaign, although additional visitors may still be nominated without earning further rewards.

Strong Tourism Momentum

The campaign builds on Dubai’s continued tourism success.

The emirate welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, representing a 5 percent increase compared with 18.72 million visitors in 2024. Both December 2025 and January 2026 recorded more than 2 million international visitors, highlighting Dubai’s growing appeal as a year-round global destination.

Running alongside Dubai Summer Surprises 2026, which offers discounts of up to 90 percent, budget dining promotions, concerts, and family entertainment, the initiative is expected to further stimulate spending across hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail, and transportation sectors.

How Residents Can Nominate Visitors

Residents can submit nominations through the official Visit Dubai online portal by providing:

Resident information:

• Emirates ID details
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Email address

Visitor information:

• Full name
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Relationship to the resident
• Expected month of arrival in Dubai

Registration closes on September 30, 2026, while nominated visitors must arrive by October 31, 2026 to qualify.

Visitors must arrange their own flights, accommodation, visas, and travel expenses. The campaign does not provide visa assistance.

Flexible Tourist Visa Options

Dubai continues to make travel convenient through a range of visa options.

Citizens of more than 80 countries can enter the UAE under the visa-on-arrival programme, while other travellers can apply for 30-day or 60-day single or multiple-entry tourist visas through approved airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or authorised visa service providers.

The UAE also offers a five-year multiple-entry tourist visa, designed for travellers who frequently visit family and friends, allowing multiple stays throughout its validity period without requiring a local sponsor.

Strengthening Dubai’s Global Appeal

With nearly 20 million international visitors annually, Dubai remains one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. Through “A Dubai Invite,” the emirate is leveraging its multicultural resident population to encourage repeat visitation while rewarding those who help showcase Dubai’s renowned hospitality, world-class attractions, luxury hotels, culinary experiences, and vibrant lifestyle.

As demand continues to surge, the initiative is expected to play a significant role in boosting tourism, strengthening family connections, and supporting Dubai’s ambitious vision of maintaining its position as one of the world’s most visited cities.