US EditionPhotos Show the Impact of the Iran War on Tourism in Dubai
Tourism in Dubai, a hub for nearly 19.6 million visitors last year, has stalled due to regional conflict, costing $600 million daily and threatening workers' livelihoods.
- As the Eid al-Fitr holiday approaches, hundreds of Dubai's luxury hotels are slashing rates while major attractions sit nearly empty; Ain Dubai has stopped turning and Jumeirah Beach Residence sunloungers face an almost deserted sea.
- Since February 28, a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones has sent tourists fleeing, while companies evacuated Dubai's financial district after Iran-linked threats, intensifying regional insecurity.
- Dulash, 26, a Sri Lankan jet-ski worker earning 4,500 dirhams monthly, missed his salary and now has 200 dirhams left after paying 800-dirham rent. Kalhan, also from Sri Lanka, survives on a fixed 3,000-dirham salary this month, saying "I came to Dubai for better living conditions, but now I don't know what comes next."
- The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated this week the war is costing the Middle East $600 million a day. Airfares have tripled due to reduced flight traffic, further suppressing demand.
- Nabil Haryouli, owner of a Dubai-based travel agency, said there would "certainly be an impact for a few months," but believed visitors would eventually return, noting Dubai welcomed nearly 19.6 million visitors last year.
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Daily Journal
Photos show the impact of the Iran war on tourism in Dubai
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dubai's usually crowded markets, beaches and waterfront promenades are unusually quiet during what is typically the city’s busy tourism season.
The tourism sector in Dubai is deeply affected by the beginning of the war in the Middle East at the end of February 2026. The tourist areas are unusually empty and the losses are extremely large.
Dubai's low-paid workers on edge as Middle East war hits tourism
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — For thousands of workers in Dubai’s tourism sector, the Middle East war has brought business to a standstill — leaving their income suddenly at risk. At the famous Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR), normally heaving with visitors, rows of sun loungers now face an almost empty sea. Restaurant terraces sit deserted, while souvenir, watersports, and perfume vendors watch for the rare passerby. Across the water, Ain Dubai …
Photos show the impact of the Iran war on tourism in Dubai - Regional Media News
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Dubai's usually crowded markets, beaches and waterfront promenades are unusually quiet during what is typically the city's busy tourism season. The spillover of the Iran war has disrupted air travel across the Middle East, while Iranian drone and missile attacks targeting sites in the United Arab Emirates have dented the country's image as one of the region's safest destinations. As a result, some of Dubai's mo…
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