Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has announced economic measures giving Dubai hotels and businesses a three-month deferral on key fees, as part of a wider AED1 billion incentive package to strengthen resilience and sustain growth.
DUBAI: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed has unveiled a series of economic measures offering Dubai hotels and businesses a three-month reprieve on a range of fees, forming part of a broader AED1 billion economic incentive package designed to strengthen resilience and help companies navigate short-term pressures while sustaining long-term growth.
Effective from April 1, 2026, the measures allow hotels, hotel apartments and holiday homes to postpone paying 100% of sales fees on rooms and food and beverage, as well as the Tourism Dirham, for three months. The move is aimed at easing financial pressure and enhancing liquidity across the hospitality and tourism sectors at a challenging moment for the industry.
Businesses across the wider economy will also benefit from three-month deferrals on a range of fees, including premium business name fees, licence amendment fees, newspaper announcement fees, local service fees, accommodation fees, waste management fees and service improvement fees. The deferrals apply to both new licences and renewals, with businesses to receive an update at the end of the three-month period.
The package is aligned with the vision of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Additional measures introduced as part of the broader stimulus include the extension of customs data grace periods and the streamlining of residency permit issuance and renewal.
Industry leaders have welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely and decisive response to challenges facing the sector, and a reflection of Dubai’s model of close collaboration between public and private sectors to drive growth and protect long-term sustainability.
What it means in a nutshell:
For HOTELS
- 100% deferral on sales fees for rooms and food & beverage
- Tourism Dirham payments deferred
- Covers hotels, hotel apartments and holiday homes
- Effective from April 1, 2026 for three months
For BUSINESSES
- Effective from April 1, 2026 for three months
- Premium business name fees deferred
- Licence amendment fees deferred
- Newspaper announcement fees deferred
- Local service fees deferred
- Accommodation fees deferred
- Waste management fees deferred
- Service improvement fees deferred
- Applies to both new licences and renewals
