Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has committed to footing the bill for visitors unable to leave the emirate due to current travel disruptions, going beyond a parallel measure issued by Dubai that stops short of covering costs outright.
In a circular distributed to hotels, DCT Abu Dhabi instructed properties to keep guests in their rooms past their scheduled checkout dates. “In light of the current circumstances and given that some guests have reached their check out date but are unable to travel for reasons beyond their control, you are kindly requested to extend their stay until they are able to depart,” the circular read. It confirmed that “the cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT Abu Dhabi,” with hotels told to submit invoices directly to the department.
Dubai’s response, issued through the Department of Economy and Tourism, takes a different form. Hotels there have been directed to allow guests to extend under the same rates and conditions as their original reservations, without requiring immediate payment from those who cannot cover the added costs. In those cases, operators are required to notify the department and provide details including the original booking duration, the extension period, and any difficulties encountered in accommodating the guest.
Both directives frame the measures as consistent with broader government policy on visitor welfare and consumer protection during the ongoing situation. Hotels in both emirates have been told to prioritise uninterrupted accommodation for affected international travellers.
