Authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have instructed hotels to allow guests to extend their stays if they are unable to leave due to ongoing travel disruptions, aiming to ensure international visitors are accommodated during the Middle East crisis.

 

As per the details, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism issued a directive to hotel managers requiring them to permit affected guests to extend their stays under the same terms as their original bookings. 

 

The department said the measure “aligns with government directives to provide full support and assistance to international visitors during the ongoing situation”.

 

Hotels were asked to fully cooperate to ensure that travellers unable to depart are accommodated without disruption. Officials also emphasised that guests should not be required to vacate rooms if they cannot immediately cover the cost of an extension, reflecting a focus on visitor welfare.

 

Hotel operators were instructed to notify the department in such cases, providing information on the original booking duration, the extension period, and any operational challenges encountered.

 

Abu Dhabi authorities issued a parallel directive with additional provisions. The Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi confirmed that the government will cover accommodation costs for stranded guests. 

 

“In light of the current circumstances and given that some guests have reached their check-out date but are unable to travel for reasons beyond their control, you are kindly requested to extend their stay until they are able to depart,” read a circular sent to hotels.

 

It added that “the cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT Abu Dhabi” and instructed hotels to submit invoices directly to the department.

 

Authorities described the measures as part of broader government efforts to maintain stability in the tourism sector while prioritising the welfare of travellers despite bombings since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran.