The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) sent an urgent directive to all city accommodation providers, creating a "safe zone" for visitors as the regional air network became paralyzed by escalating US-Israel and Iran tensions.

DET affirmed that assisting tourists is a mandatory task, prohibiting hotels from evicting guests. Those whose check-out dates have passed but cannot depart must be allowed to extend their stay under conditions and rates equivalent to their initial contract.

For tourists unable to afford additional nights, hotels are also prohibited from asking guests to leave their rooms. These establishments must immediately report to authorities for the government to directly handle the costs.

UAE military helicopter flying past the Burj al Arab hotel in Dubai. *Photo: AFP*

The Abu Dhabi government and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) also made financial commitments to support tourists. The UAE will cover all accommodation and meal costs for approximately 20,200 passengers stranded due to attacks in Iran. The GCAA confirmed that the government would directly pay hotel bills, provide free meals, and assist passengers with rebooking flights.

In Abu Dhabi, the Department of Culture and Tourism also directed hotels to extend guest stays, confirming that the state budget would cover all additional nights.

The UAE's actions come amidst heightened tension in Middle East regional aviation. Major airlines reported record cancellation rates: Qatar Airways 41%, Emirates 38%, Etihad 30%.

The serious situation prompted many countries to develop emergency evacuation plans for citizens in the Gulf region. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that London is preparing to evacuate tens of thousands of citizens. Approximately 200,000 British nationals are in the Gulf, with over 50,000 in the UAE alone, most of whom are tourists.

Diplomatic agencies have continuously issued warnings, advising tourists not to travel to Iran, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, while also minimizing non-essential trips to the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

Tourists in Saudi Arabia are advised to stay indoors, while those in Jordan, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq need maximum caution due to the risk of widespread conflict.

By Mai Phuong (According to The Mirror)