Dubai Invite programme draws over 10,000 applications in 48 hours as residents claim Dh3,000 in visitor rewards
Dubai's new resident incentive scheme receives overwhelming response, prompting officials to consider expanding the limited stock of hotel, dining and attraction benefits available through the programme running until October 2026.
Overwhelming Response in First 48 Hours
Dubai's newest tourism initiative has generated more than 10,000 applications from UAE residents within its first two days, as participants register friends and family to unlock rewards worth over Dh3,000 in hotel stays, dining vouchers and attraction passes.
The Dubai Invite programme, launched by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism in July 2026, rewards residents who nominate overseas guests planning to visit the emirate between July 20 and October 31. The response has prompted DET officials to review whether the limited supply of benefits should be expanded.
Noor Algeziry, Associate Vice President for MENA and Special Projects at DET, told Dubai Eye's Business Breakfast that the volume of engagement exceeded initial expectations. A single application can include multiple guests, she noted.
The programme forms part of DET's City Ambassadors initiative, which positions UAE residents as advocates for promoting Dubai to their international networks. The approach builds on sustained tourism growth, with Dubai recording 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, marking a 4.6 per cent increase from 18.71 million in 2024. January 2026 alone brought 2 million overnight visitors, up 3 per cent year-on-year.
Limited Stock Under Review
DET designed the programme with a capped inventory of benefits, though officials are now reassessing that position following the initial demand surge. Algeziry confirmed discussions are underway about revising the stock levels.
The initiative represents one strand of DET's broader strategy to sustain tourism momentum. The department has also introduced complementary programmes including Dubai, A Fine Way to Dine and Dubai Restaurant Week in 2026, alongside a Hotel Incentive Programme launched in October 2025 to encourage development in Dubai South, Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai Parks and the Dubai Islands.
These efforts align with the UAE National Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets increasing tourism's contribution to national GDP to Dh450 billion, attracting Dh100 billion in new investments, and hosting 40 million hotel guests annually. The UAE tourism sector welcomed 32.34 million hotel guests in 2025, generating Dh49.21 billion in revenues with occupancy levels at 79.3 per cent. The broader UAE travel and tourism market was valued at $68.1 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $173.2 billion by 2034.
Eligibility and Registration Process
UAE residents and citizens aged 18 or over with valid Emirates ID can participate. Each resident may nominate up to five visitors per submission, with additional guests registered through separate applications. A maximum of three reward packages can be claimed per resident during the campaign period.
Nominated visitors must travel on a tourist visa or qualify for visa on arrival. Citizens from 87 countries are eligible for visa on arrival in the UAE, with validity periods ranging from 30 to 90 days depending on nationality. The programme does not provide or arrange visas.
Guests can enter Dubai by air, road or sea during the campaign window. DET automatically verifies visitor arrivals, eliminating the need for residents to submit separate notifications. Once a guest's entry is confirmed, the reward package and redemption instructions are sent by email, with DET stating that emails will be issued within 72 hours from August onwards.
Each visitor can only be nominated once across all applications, preventing duplicate registrations by different residents for the same guest.
Reward Package Details
Each qualifying package contains benefits exceeding Dh3,000 across hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, transport and lifestyle services. Participating brands include W Dubai Mina Seyahi, The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Marina, Le Méridien Mina Seyahi Beach Resort and Waterpark, Meliá Desert Palm, and IHG Hotels and Resorts.
Transport partners include Careem and Hala, while attraction offers cover Aquaventure, IMG Worlds of Adventure and venues operated by Solution Leisure Group. Benefits remain valid until December 31, unless individual offers specify different terms. The Dh3,000 figure represents the combined value of available deals and does not constitute a cash payment or account credit.
Programme Could Return After October
Dubai Invite will accept eligible visitor arrivals until October 31, though DET has indicated the initiative could be repeated in future. Algeziry said the initial response demonstrated strong resident interest and suggested similar programmes might be considered beyond the current campaign.
