Stranded in Abu Dhabi? DCT Orders Hotels to Extend Stays For Travellers, UAE to Cover Costs

In a major relief measure for travellers caught in Middle-East turmoil, Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) has instructed hotels across the emirate to allow stranded guests to extend their stays, with the government covering the additional costs.

According to a circular issued on 28 February 2026 to hotel general managers, several visitors had reached their scheduled check out dates but were unable to depart due to circumstances beyond their control.

The directive follows heightened regional instability that has disrupted flight operations and led to temporary travel restrictions across parts of West Asia, leaving many passengers unable to proceed with onward journeys.

The Department of Culture and Tourism clarified that neither hotels nor guests would bear the financial burden of the extended stays. "The cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT Abu Dhabi," the notice stated, instructing hotels to submit relevant invoices to a designated official email address for reimbursement.

To ensure smooth coordination, contact details for the department's business continuity team were also shared, enabling hotels to seek operational support where necessary.

The move has been widely welcomed, with many praising it as a proactive step aimed at protecting visitors while also supporting the hospitality sector during an unpredictable period.

The order was issued under Law No. 8 of 2018, which established the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and grants it authority to regulate and support the emirate's tourism industry.

In a similar development, Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism directed hotel operators to permit affected guests to extend their stays under the same terms as their original bookings. Hotels were asked to promptly notify the department, providing details of the original reservation, the duration of the extension and any operational challenges encountered.

As flight schedules remain uncertain, the coordinated response by Abu Dhabi and Dubai authorities is expected to ease the immediate burden on stranded travellers while maintaining stability in the tourism sector.