Abu Dhabi Covers Hotel Costs for Stranded Travelers

Abu Dhabi Covers Hotel Costs for Stranded Travelers

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture & Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) has issued a mandate requiring hotels to extend stays for tourists and transit passengers stranded by regional flight disruptions. Under this policy, the government fully covers the costs of these extensions, ensuring that no guest is left without accommodation due to airspace closures. The directive follows Law No. 8 of 2018 to stabilize the tourism sector and provide a financial safety net during periods of travel uncertainty.

This policy applies to international tourists, expats, and digital nomads whose checkouts have passed but who cannot depart because of cancelled flights. Approximately 20,200 passengers have already been impacted by recent disruptions. While Dubai has a similar extension policy in place, Abu Dhabi is unique in its explicit commitment to government funding for these stays, which includes meals in many cases.

If you find yourself stranded in Abu Dhabi, you do not need to file a formal guest application. The hotels handle all coordination directly with the authorities. Here is what you need to know:

• Hotels must extend stays under the original booking terms at no cost to the guest.
• The policy remains active until flight schedules normalize and departure becomes feasible.
• Hotels submit invoices directly to the DCT Business Continuity Team for reimbursement.

If you are a remote worker transiting through the UAE and your flight is cancelled, contact your hotel front desk immediately to confirm they are following the DCT circular issued on February 28, 2026. This measure helps ease the high cost of unexpected accommodation during a crisis. For more nomad news and travel updates, stay tuned to our latest briefings.

Read our full United Arab Emirates guide for the complete picture.