ALBAWABA - Feeling the heat from the war hitting the tourism industry, Dubai has begun to take measures to attract visitors - giving 3,000 Dirhams or about $815 to Dubai residents who invite their family and friends to visit the city.
It seems unthinkable that Dubai would resort to paying people to visit but the realities of war make for strange measures; the $815 would not be given in cash, instead, it would come in the form of benefits like savings on hotel bookings to free days out at attractions.
The hand-out applies only to those visiting between July 20 and October 31, targeting the peak summer months which in regular times was a low for the hospitality industry, but now with the war, has hit completely rock bottom.
This move comes with other measures to help keep the industry afloat, these include; suspending the nightly $5.45 hotel tax and the 7 percent municipal tax added to hotel and restaurant bills. All part of a $400 million dollar package approved by Dubai to save the business and tourism sector amid ongoing conflict.
These benefits include but are not limited to:
- 45 percent discounts across all rooms, suites and villas at Melia Desert Palm, Dh100 spa credit per person and Dh100 food and beverage credit per stay.
- 35 percent off the best available rate and a complementary room upgrade at ME Dubai by Melia.
- Full credit back when booking at Le Meridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Waterpark, W Dubai Mina Seyahi or The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi.
- A free ticket to Aquaventure World, a free day out at IMG Worlds of Adventure and 50 percent off at Grand Hyatt Dubai Waterpark.
