Dubai’s “An Invitation from Dubai” initiative has recorded exceptional success and strong participation since its launch, attracting more than 90,000 applications from residents who invited family members and friends to visit Dubai. The impressive response reflects the strong connection residents have with the city and their enthusiasm for sharing Dubai’s distinctive experiences with loved ones from around the world.
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism announced the closure of applications for new submissions following the significant level of interest in the initiative. Benefits will continue to be issued to residents who successfully completed the registration of their visitors, until the final allocated packages have been fully distributed.
More than 30,000 benefit packages have been distributed so far, while registered visitors can travel to Dubai through October 31, 2026.
The scale of participation reinforces the important role residents play as ambassadors for Dubai and highlights the growing contribution of visits from friends and relatives to the emirate’s tourism sector and its position as a preferred global destination.
Residents as True Ambassadors of the Dubai Experience
“An Invitation from Dubai” was launched on July 20 in recognition of the central role residents play in sharing their experiences of the city with friends, families, and relatives around the world.
Since the initiative began, residents have shown strong enthusiasm for taking part, while stakeholders and partners have also demonstrated growing interest in expanding their support for the program. In response, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and its partners increased the number of exclusive benefit packages available by more than threefold.
The success of the initiative highlights the value of personal recommendations in promoting Dubai. Residents do not simply know the city’s major tourist attractions; they also understand its lifestyle, everyday experiences, and the destinations they personally enjoy and recommend to family and friends.
Eligibility Requirements for “An Invitation from Dubai”
The eligibility of visitors who meet the initiative’s requirements is verified through a unified system in cooperation with the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai.
The conditions include the requirement that guests arrive directly in Dubai from outside the United Arab Emirates no later than October 31, 2026.
Benefits allocated to eligible applicants are distributed within 72 hours of their guests’ arrival in Dubai.
These benefits remain valid at participating entities and destinations through December 31, 2026, giving beneficiaries greater flexibility to enjoy a wide range of offers and experiences during the specified period.
Nearly 200 Nationalities Strengthen Dubai’s Diverse Community
The exceptional success of “An Invitation from Dubai” reflects the strength of the emirate’s diverse community and the important role it plays in shaping the city’s experience and sharing its story with the world.
With Dubai home to cultures representing nearly 200 nationalities, residents serve as a genuine bridge connecting the city with millions of family members and friends around the globe.
This diversity gives Dubai a unique advantage, allowing visitors to discover the city from a personal perspective through someone who already lives there and understands its landmarks, experiences, and many different sides.
The success of the initiative also embodies the true spirit of the UAE’s Year of the Family by strengthening family bonds and encouraging residents to welcome loved ones and share Dubai’s most memorable experiences with them.
“An Invitation from Dubai” Reflects Residents’ Confidence in the City
Nour Al Jazeri, Assistant Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa and Special Projects at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said: “The remarkable success achieved by the ‘An Invitation from Dubai’ initiative reflects residents’ eagerness to share their experiences in the city with their friends and relatives, who are among Dubai’s most prominent ambassadors. The personal experiences residents enjoy in the city, together with their recommendations, play a pivotal role in giving visitors an authentic view of the essence of Dubai and the qualities that make it an exceptional destination. This strong response also reflects the significant confidence our community places in the city and supports our ambitions aligned with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seek to strengthen the emirate’s position as the best city in the world to live, work, and visit.”
This perspective underlines that the strength of the initiative goes beyond the large number of applications. It also reflects residents’ confidence in Dubai and their ability to communicate a genuine and compelling image of the city to the people closest to them.
The initiative’s success also aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to further strengthen the emirate’s global position as a leading destination for living, working, and visiting.
Hospitality Sector Contributes to the Initiative’s Success
“An Invitation from Dubai” has received broad support from partners across the tourism and hospitality sectors, helping expand the range of experiences and benefits available to residents and their guests.
Dorsai Khaghani, Vice President of Global Commercial Affairs at Kerzner International, said: “Kerzner International is proud to support ‘An Invitation from Dubai’ through its Atlantis destinations and to contribute to bringing families and loved ones together in Dubai. The exceptional response from residents reflects the strength of the social bonds that make Dubai such a distinctive and special destination. We are delighted to be part of a program that has encouraged residents to share the very best that Dubai has to offer with those closest to them, and to celebrate the city as a place where people create precious memories together.”
Tarek Labib, Head of Commercial Affairs for India, the Middle East and Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “‘An Invitation from Dubai’ is an excellent example of what can be achieved when organizations come together around a shared goal. We are proud of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ contribution to supporting this initiative. The broad participation of hotels across IHG’s different brands in Dubai helped welcome residents and their loved ones and gave them the opportunity to enjoy the exceptional experiences offered by both the city of Dubai and our hotels. The strong response to the program reflected how eager residents are to share Dubai’s exceptional experiences with their families and friends. We are also proud of our partnership with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism on this initiative, which has delivered distinctive experiences for residents and visitors alike.”
Ugur Lee Kanbur, General Manager of several hotels at Destination Mina Seyahi, said: “The response to ‘An Invitation from Dubai’ reflects the influential role residents play in encouraging their loved ones to visit Dubai. At Destination Mina Seyahi, we are proud to contribute to turning these invitations into unforgettable stays, bringing families and loved ones together through a beachfront hospitality experience that reflects Dubai’s excellence.”
The strong support from tourism and hospitality organizations reflects the level of cooperation between the public and private sectors in delivering an integrated visitor experience and transforming visits by family and friends into something more personal and memorable.
Success That Strengthens Dubai’s Tourism Appeal
The fact that applications exceeded 90,000 demonstrates the major success achieved by “An Invitation from Dubai” within a relatively short period and highlights the influential role residents play in supporting the emirate’s tourism standing.
The exceptional response confirms that recommendations from friends and family remain among the most powerful ways to introduce people to a city, particularly when they come from residents who experience Dubai’s quality of life, diverse destinations, services, and attractions every day.
