Speaking on Dubai Eye’s Business Breakfast programme, Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri confirmed that a **new support package** is in the final drafting stage to ease cash-flow pressure on hotels, attractions and tour operators that have seen bookings tumble since February’s conflict triggered mass flight suspensions. The measures come on top of a DHS 1 billion scheme announced last week that allows eligible businesses to defer room-night taxes, food-and-beverage service fees and the Tourism Dirham levy for three months starting 1 April. According to ministry officials, the follow-up package will focus on three levers: (1) extending fee deferrals beyond the summer if air-connectivity remains below 70 % of normal, (2) offering subsidised working-capital loans through state-backed banks, and (3) accelerating e-visa processing for organised groups once European carriers resume Dubai services.
![Government readies second relief package for UAE tourism and hospitality operators]()
International tour operators and individual travellers planning ahead can simplify that e-visa step right now: VisaHQ’s dedicated UAE platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) provides real-time entry guidance, bulk application tools and concierge support that dovetail with the government’s fast-track ambitions, helping hotels and DMCs convert bookings without getting bogged down in paperwork.
Officials are also monitoring consumer-price inflation to stop hotels raising menu prices without approval. Tourism accounted for 12 % of UAE GDP in 2025 and directly supports more than 745,000 jobs. Industry bodies warn that occupancy across Dubai and Abu Dhabi slipped to 54 % in March—down from 82 % in January—after British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and KLM suspended Gulf routes. Liquidity relief therefore buys operators time to avoid layoffs and maintain minimum service levels for the corporate meetings market. Policy analysts note that the stimulus dovetails with federal goals to sustain investor confidence ahead of the 2026 opening of Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah and the 2027 World Horticultural Expo in Doha-Dubai corridor plans. By protecting tourism infrastructure now, the UAE positions itself for a rapid rebound once EASA reassesses regional airspace on 10 April.
International tour operators and individual travellers planning ahead can simplify that e-visa step right now: VisaHQ’s dedicated UAE platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) provides real-time entry guidance, bulk application tools and concierge support that dovetail with the government’s fast-track ambitions, helping hotels and DMCs convert bookings without getting bogged down in paperwork.
Officials are also monitoring consumer-price inflation to stop hotels raising menu prices without approval. Tourism accounted for 12 % of UAE GDP in 2025 and directly supports more than 745,000 jobs. Industry bodies warn that occupancy across Dubai and Abu Dhabi slipped to 54 % in March—down from 82 % in January—after British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and KLM suspended Gulf routes. Liquidity relief therefore buys operators time to avoid layoffs and maintain minimum service levels for the corporate meetings market. Policy analysts note that the stimulus dovetails with federal goals to sustain investor confidence ahead of the 2026 opening of Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah and the 2027 World Horticultural Expo in Doha-Dubai corridor plans. By protecting tourism infrastructure now, the UAE positions itself for a rapid rebound once EASA reassesses regional airspace on 10 April.
