Hotels across Dubai have been instructed not to evict stranded tourists under any circumstances, offering reassurance to British holidaymakers stuck in the United Arab Emirates amid escalating tensions between the US and Iran. The directive, sent by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), mandates that hotels provide all necessary assistance to guests affected by flight cancellations or delays.
In an email obtained by the Khaleej Times, the DET requested that hotels offer guests due to check out the option to extend their stay under the same conditions as their initial booking. It stressed that no guests should be evicted, and for those unable to afford an extended stay, hotels must notify the DET promptly. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the country will cover food and accommodation costs for stranded tourists.
Similar measures have been enacted in Abu Dhabi, where the Department of Culture and Tourism instructed hotels to extend stays for guests unable to travel due to disruptions, with the department covering the additional costs. The announcements come as the UK Foreign Office formulates plans to evacuate tens of thousands of British nationals if the conflict 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, mainly tourists and holidaymakers. He urged Britons in targeted areas to register their whereabouts with the Foreign Office. 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.
