Hotels across Dubai have been instructed not to evict stranded tourists under any circumstances, providing reassurance for British holidaymakers stuck in the United Arab Emirates amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran.
Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism sent an email directive to hotel operators, mandating that all necessary assistance be provided to tourists affected by flight cancellations or delays. The email, obtained by the Khaleej Times, states that guests due to check out but unable to do so should be offered the option to extend their stay under the same conditions as their initial booking, and that no guests should be evicted.
For guests unable to afford an extended stay, hotels must notify the DET. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that the UAE will cover food and accommodation costs for stranded tourists. In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Culture and Tourism has instructed hotels to extend stays for guests unable to travel, with the department footing the bill.
The announcement comes as the UK Foreign Office formulates plans to evacuate tens of thousands of British nationals if war intensifies. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Sunday that approximately 200,000 British people are believed to be in the Gulf region, with over 50,000 in the UAE, mostly tourists and holidaymakers. Dubai's airspace is currently shut, leaving thousands stranded.
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, Israel, and Palestine, and against all but essential travel to the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. British citizens in Saudi Arabia have been told to remain indoors, while those in Jordan, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq are urged to exercise maximum caution.
