According to reports, Dubai has become a ghost town under the effects of the American-Zionist aggression; to the extent that its very expensive and famous hotels and restaurants have been forced to reduce prices and offer special privileges to customers to attract tourists.
Publish dateWednesday 3 June 2026 - 08:48
Story Code : 356644
Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): For years, Dubai was a glamorous resort in the Persian Gulf for the wealthy who went to rooftop pools, fancy breakfasts and a taste of the high life to escape their daily boredom. So, for a place that has built its reputation as being richer and brighter than anywhere else, perhaps no greater shame can be than being accused of looking cheap.
However, it is a bitter accusation that now casts a shadow over the UAE’s grand luxury exhibition after the war with Iran that damaged its tourism reputation.
“These days, Dubai’s popular attractions, hotels and restaurants are no longer seeing the same influx of international visitors that once transformed sandy lanes into streets paved with gold,” the Daily Mail reported.
Before the missiles and drones that followed the US-Zionist aggression against Iran landed, Dubai’s beaches, luxury restaurants and glitzy beach clubs were the daily haunts of the emirate’s rich and famous. Getting into its most fashionable spots on the so-called “Dubai Riviera” without a reservation weeks – even months – ago was impossible. But today, some of those same places offer free entry, deep discounts and free tables.
“In the J1 La Mer area, all the clubs and beach venues are offering special offers, free entry for women and fully refundable entry fees for men,” one Dubai influencer told the Daily Mail.
“You can really feel the struggle, it’s only going to get worse as summer approaches. These are places you couldn’t even get into once,” he added.
The Mail’s correspondent, who visited the expensive and popular restaurant in J1, said: “Only one table was occupied by a Russian-speaking man and his companion. The terrace was deserted, the decorated parasols swaying in the breeze without customers. There were no swimmers in the sea.
At another restaurant, the “African Queen,” customers are offered free sunbeds on a private beach if they promise to buy food and drinks.
A young Italian woman, referring to the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, said: “The bombing was terrible.” You could see missiles coming from the sea at night and hear explosions.
No one expected this in Dubai, he said. Everyone thought it was like Europe.
The Daily Mail noted: Dubai’s carefully crafted image as the Switzerland of the Middle East has been shattered by Iran’s strategic attacks. Dozens of Iranian drones and missiles have been sent to undermine Washington’s security commitments to the Gulf states. The crisis in the Gulf has also damaged Dubai’s most valuable asset: its self-confidence.
American financial analysts Moody’s have warned that hotel occupancy rates in Dubai could fall to a record low of 10 percent by July, down from 84.7 percent in February. The agency’s stark conclusion was: “This represents an effective shutdown of large parts of the hospitality sector.”
Some of the biggest names in Dubai’s luxury hotel industry have closed rooms or quietly closed for renovations amid a drop in bookings. The list includes the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, the famous Armani Hotel Dubai and the St. Regis Hotel on the Palm. The atmosphere at the famous Atlantis Royale on the Palm Jumeirah is also noticeably quiet.
According to the British newspaper, passenger traffic at Dubai’s two airports fell by at least 2.5 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year. And March saw a 66% drop.
Citing ISNA, the Daily Mail also stressed that “the impact of the war has also put pressure on ordinary residents,” adding: With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, fuel and food prices have increased. And with no clear end to the war in sight, and amid worrying signs that it will become a long-term, “frozen” conflict, people are more cautious. “I’ve been in Dubai for 10 years and I love it here. We’re all hoping that things will return to normal after the summer. Otherwise, to be honest, we’re all in trouble,” a British businessman told the newspaper, speaking on condition of anonymity.
However, it is a bitter accusation that now casts a shadow over the UAE’s grand luxury exhibition after the war with Iran that damaged its tourism reputation.
“These days, Dubai’s popular attractions, hotels and restaurants are no longer seeing the same influx of international visitors that once transformed sandy lanes into streets paved with gold,” the Daily Mail reported.
Before the missiles and drones that followed the US-Zionist aggression against Iran landed, Dubai’s beaches, luxury restaurants and glitzy beach clubs were the daily haunts of the emirate’s rich and famous. Getting into its most fashionable spots on the so-called “Dubai Riviera” without a reservation weeks – even months – ago was impossible. But today, some of those same places offer free entry, deep discounts and free tables.
“In the J1 La Mer area, all the clubs and beach venues are offering special offers, free entry for women and fully refundable entry fees for men,” one Dubai influencer told the Daily Mail.
“You can really feel the struggle, it’s only going to get worse as summer approaches. These are places you couldn’t even get into once,” he added.
The Mail’s correspondent, who visited the expensive and popular restaurant in J1, said: “Only one table was occupied by a Russian-speaking man and his companion. The terrace was deserted, the decorated parasols swaying in the breeze without customers. There were no swimmers in the sea.
At another restaurant, the “African Queen,” customers are offered free sunbeds on a private beach if they promise to buy food and drinks.
A young Italian woman, referring to the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, said: “The bombing was terrible.” You could see missiles coming from the sea at night and hear explosions.
No one expected this in Dubai, he said. Everyone thought it was like Europe.
The Daily Mail noted: Dubai’s carefully crafted image as the Switzerland of the Middle East has been shattered by Iran’s strategic attacks. Dozens of Iranian drones and missiles have been sent to undermine Washington’s security commitments to the Gulf states. The crisis in the Gulf has also damaged Dubai’s most valuable asset: its self-confidence.
American financial analysts Moody’s have warned that hotel occupancy rates in Dubai could fall to a record low of 10 percent by July, down from 84.7 percent in February. The agency’s stark conclusion was: “This represents an effective shutdown of large parts of the hospitality sector.”
Some of the biggest names in Dubai’s luxury hotel industry have closed rooms or quietly closed for renovations amid a drop in bookings. The list includes the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab, the famous Armani Hotel Dubai and the St. Regis Hotel on the Palm. The atmosphere at the famous Atlantis Royale on the Palm Jumeirah is also noticeably quiet.
According to the British newspaper, passenger traffic at Dubai’s two airports fell by at least 2.5 million in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year. And March saw a 66% drop.
Citing ISNA, the Daily Mail also stressed that “the impact of the war has also put pressure on ordinary residents,” adding: With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, fuel and food prices have increased. And with no clear end to the war in sight, and amid worrying signs that it will become a long-term, “frozen” conflict, people are more cautious. “I’ve been in Dubai for 10 years and I love it here. We’re all hoping that things will return to normal after the summer. Otherwise, to be honest, we’re all in trouble,” a British businessman told the newspaper, speaking on condition of anonymity.
avapress.net/vdchk-nxk23nm-d.01t2.html
Top hits
1
