Dubai and Abu Dhabi launch summer deals to help visitors save on UAE getaways.
Dubai: Planning to invite family or friends to the UAE this summer? Two new tourism initiatives could help lower the cost of their trip, with Dubai rewarding residents who host overseas visitors and Abu Dhabi offering complimentary UAE entry visas to eligible Indian tourists.
Together, the programmes provide added incentives for residents and international travellers to plan a UAE getaway before the summer season ends.
Dubai residents can earn up to Dh3,000 in travel rewards
Dubai has launched A Dubai Invite, a city ambassador programme that rewards UAE residents and citizens for inviting friends and family from overseas to visit the emirate.
Residents whose nominated guests arrive in Dubai between July 20 and October 31, 2026, can unlock a package of benefits worth more than Dh3,000.
The rewards package includes discounts and offers across a range of experiences and services, including:
The rewards cover a range of categories, including:
- Hotel stays
- Restaurants and dining experiences
- Tourist attractions
- Lifestyle services
To take part, eligible residents must register their visiting friends or relatives through the programme’s online nomination form before their arrival in Dubai.
Residents can nominate up to five visitors at a time, while additional guests can be registered through separate submissions.
Once a nominated visitor arrives in Dubai, their entry will be automatically verified. The resident will then receive an email containing details of the reward package and instructions on how to redeem the offers.
The rewards are valid until December 31, 2026, unless otherwise specified.
Who is eligible for Dubai’s visitor rewards?
The programme is open to UAE citizens and residents aged 18 and above who hold a valid Emirates ID.
Nominated visitors must not be UAE residents and must enter Dubai on a valid tourist visa or qualify for visa on arrival. They can arrive by air, sea or road between July 20 and October 31.
The programme does not cover visa arrangements, so visitors must obtain their own visa if required.
Abu Dhabi offers free UAE visas to eligible Indian tourists
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi has launched a separate tourism promotion offering complimentary UAE entry visas to eligible Indian passport holders travelling from India.
Under the offer, eligible travellers can have the full cost of their UAE entry visa covered when they book an Abu Dhabi holiday through participating travel partners or online travel agencies.
The promotion runs from August 1 to October 31, 2026, with up to 20,000 visas available during the pilot phase.
To qualify, travellers must book a package that includes:
- At least three consecutive nights at an Abu Dhabi hotel
- A return flight from India
- A booking made through a participating travel partner or online travel agency
Travellers cannot apply independently for the complimentary visa. The offer is available only through participating travel partners and OTAs.
The two UAE tourism campaigns target different audiences but share the same goal: attracting more visitors during the summer and early autumn travel season. They offer residents an added reason to invite friends and family, while giving international travellers more incentives to plan a UAE getaway.
