Iran-Israel war: UAE plans to introduce tourism package as travel and aviation sectors face challenges

United Arab Emirates is preparing a new support package for its tourism sector as regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict disrupt travel flows and aviation activity, Gulf News reported.

The announcement comes as authorities seek to ease pressure on hotels and related businesses facing slower demand and operational challenges.

“We are supporting the tourism sector, we are speaking to them daily. We do have a package that will come up very soon that will really address the tourism issues and the challenges that they are facing,” said Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, as quoted by Gulf News.

Immediate relief through fee deferrals

As part of initial measures, Dubai has already rolled out a Dh1 billion economic support package. This allows hotels and tourism businesses to defer key government fees for three months starting April 1.

The relief includes postponement of 100% of sales fees on rooms, food and beverage, as well as the Tourism Dirham. The measure also covers hotel apartments and holiday homes, aimed at improving liquidity across the sector.

Authorities said the broader package is designed to help businesses manage short-term costs while maintaining operations during a challenging period.

As per Gulf News report, officials said the measures follow regular consultations with tourism stakeholders. “We have been closely engaging with stakeholders across the tourism sector as they navigate through unique challenges,” said Issam Kazim.

Authorities added that continued engagement has helped shape both the current relief measures and the upcoming package.

Focus on stability and supply

Alongside sector support, the government is monitoring prices and supply conditions. Authorities said retailers cannot raise prices without approval, and no increases have been cleared so far.

Consumers have been advised to avoid stockpiling and rely on established retail channels. Officials maintained that supply chains remain stable.

“The UAE is strong, a 40-day conflict will not determine the future of the UAE economy,” the minister said, adding that the country will “bounce back”.

The government said the combination of fee relief and upcoming measures is intended to support tourism businesses while ensuring broader economic stability.