Dubai to offer social distancing sunbathing and 60% cheaper hotels to lure tourists back

DUBAI is looking at ways to encourage tourists to return on holiday, with plans to add social-distancing sunbathing and reduced “touch points” to show the region is safe.

Hotels are also slashing prices with up to 60 per cent off breaks to offer bargain deals to holiday bookers.

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Dubai hotels are looking at new social distancing measures – as well as cutting luxury holiday prices[/caption]

Dubai wants to start letting tourists back into the UAE by July, according to the tourism director general.

The UAE halted all incoming flights on March 24, with thousands left stranded after the date was moved 48 hours earlier at short notice.

Emaar Hospitality COO Chris Newman, who operates five-star hotels in Dubai, told Telegraph Travel that “all of the luxurious elements” may face huge changes.

These include on-hand waiters for canapes and drink refills, hot towels at reception.

Buffets are likely to be the first to go, with resorts around the world opting to remove the shared dining space.

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While distancing guidelines are likely to be in place at restaurants and swimming pools at resorts, it could also be the best time to grab a bargain[/caption]

Swimming pools could may see reduced numbers or even assigned time slots, with socially distancing sunbathing and loungers, with hotels are expected to work at reduced capacity.

While the holiday experience may be slightly different, it also means a bargain can be found.

Lesley Rollo, Managing Director of booking agent Travelbag said they were finding hotel booking offers with up to 60 per cent off – a larger reduction than the usual 40 per cent.

She added to Telegraph Travel: “I’ve never seen anything like it. It will open up luxury travel for so many people.”

We’ve rounded up some of the biggest bargain deals, which you can book for February 2021, including half-term:

• Seven nights at Premier Inn Dubai with London Heathrow flights on February 15 – £480pp

• 10 nights at Citymax Hotel Bur Dubai with London Heathrow flights on February 19 – £558pp

• 10 nights at Buraq Hotel By Gemstones with London Heathrow flights on February 28 – £571pp

Emirates was the first airline to introduce quick Covid-19 tests, which take just ten minutes on a flight from Dubai to Tunisia.

The type of testing used reportedly involved drawing blood and was able to provide results within 10 minutes.

Chief Operating Officer Adel Al Redha said that there were plans to start using these tests on other flights too.