Dubai Will Welcome Tourists From July 7

June 26, 2020

Dubai airports have opened recently: residents stranded abroad are coming back to UAE, also Emirates citizens and residents are permitted to travel overseas. At the moment destinations are split into three categories for these citizens and residents who are willing to travel. Certain conditions for travelers have been specified to maintain the highest level of security.

The three categories for travel destinations are: low-risk where everyone can travel, medium risk (travel for specific purposes) and high-risk countries (no travel). As for the tourists, they will be required to present a recent Covid-19 negative certificate or undergo testing at Dubai airports. Tourism is one of the largest contributors to the emirate’s economy. Dubai received 16.7 million tourists last year, contributing more than Dh150 billion to the local economy.

Dubai has not been issuing tourist and visitors visas since mid-March in order to contain the virus. Since many countries remain closed and UAE have been one of the safest countries, this is the big step towards winning the corona pandemic and proving the world how strong a country can be.

Companies operating in tourism sector have been granted the following measures:

• Reduction of municipality fees imposed on sales at hotels from 7% to 3.5%
• Exemption from fees charged for postponement and cancellation of tourism and sports events scheduled for the year 2020
• Release from fees for the rating of hotels
• Release from fees charged for the sale of tickets, issuance of permits and other government fees related to entertainment and business events