Dubai, once a bustling hub for international tourism, is currently experiencing an unprecedented economic crisis, with its high-end establishments and popular tourist attractions largely deserted. The city, which had aimed to welcome a record 20 million visitors this year, surpassing last year's 19.59 million, is now losing an estimated £450 million a day. This severe downturn is attributed primarily to the fear of retaliatory Iranian missile and drone attacks following a US strike in February, effectively spooking foreign visitors away.

The impact on Dubai's tourism and hospitality sectors is stark. Beach clubs, five-star resorts, and high-end restaurants are nearly empty, with many hotels announcing complete closures. Prominent establishments such as the St Regis on the Palm, the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, the Park Hyatt Hotel, the Radisson Blu in Media City, and the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel have shut their doors, leading to thousands of staff being laid off or placed on indefinite unpaid leave. The official narrative for these closures often employs euphemisms like 'closing for an upgrade' to avoid mentioning the conflict, with most expecting to remain closed until at least September, and some potentially not reopening at all. The Anantara World Islands Dubai Resort, a self-proclaimed 'most luxurious hotel in the world,' even announced its permanent cessation of operations, attributing it to 'a combination of external factors' rather than the US-Iran conflict.

Tourist havens across the city, including the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah Beach Residences, are devoid of foreign visitors. Malls like Emirates Mall have seen dwindling footfall, while historic areas such as the Grand Souk, Bur Dubai Old Souk, and Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood are practically empty, with bored stallholders scrolling on phones. Tourist attractions like Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai Parks and Resorts, and SkyDive Dubai have also closed. Beach clubs are offering free entry in a desperate bid to attract customers, and tour boats on Dubai Creek remain empty, their operators curled up for naps.

The restaurant industry is also struggling, with Michelin-starred venues slashing prices and reducing staff. The government even launched a 'Dubai, A Fine Way to Dine' scheme, offering up to 50 percent off or heavily discounted tasting menus, though such efforts have failed to stem the economic bleed. One south Indian restaurant resorted to a discount gimmick based on the number of 'girlfriends' a diner brought, highlighting the dire situation.

The most acutely affected by this economic slump are the millions of migrant workers, largely invisible, who reside in squalid labor camps. These individuals, predominantly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, constitute 80-90 percent of Dubai's population and were lured to the city to make money for their families back home. With businesses closing and jobs disappearing, many are left without wages and cannot afford to return home, exacerbating their already difficult living conditions in neighborhoods like Sonapur and Al Quoz. Sonapur, ironically meaning 'city of gold' in Hindi, now feels like a bitter jest, with cramped dormitories housing five to six people in bunk beds.

The UAE authorities have imposed strict prohibitions on discussing or sharing information about the conflict's impact, with severe penalties including imprisonment and hefty fines for violations. This climate of fear means migrant workers are often more terrified of legal repercussions than the war itself, making it impossible for them to openly discuss the economic crisis. Despite the dangers, some continue to work in construction and other low-wage jobs, caught within the oppressive Kafala System that binds them to their employers with minimal social security. Repatriation flights are being organized by embassies for those who can afford tickets or whose companies pay, as many lose jobs in hospitality and sales. Human Rights Watch has warned of additional risks to migrant workers due to the conflict and exposed gaps in labor rights. As one construction worker grimly put it, 'If you can survive in the UAE, then you can survive in any country in the world,' encapsulating the harsh reality faced by many.