The Jumeirah Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai has announced a temporary closure as it plans a refurbishment – it comes as Iranian drones have hit the UAE in recent weeks
The Jumeirah Burj Al Arab has announced a temporary closure(Image: FADEL SENNA, AFP via Getty Images)
A famous hotel in Dubai hotel has announced it is closing.
The five-star Jumeirah Burj Al Arab in the UAE has announced a “carefully phased” renovation and a temporary 18-month closure. The hotel said the process is aimed at “upgrading” its “iconic décor”. It did not mention the war in the Middle East between US-Israeli forces and Iran, which has led to Iranian drone strikes across the Gulf – including in the heart of Dubai.
Middle East Eye (MEE) reports “it is thought that Iran’s strikes on the UAE and other Gulf states that host US bases has sparked an exodus of foreign expats and tourists from the region”.
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Since the war with Iran started, more than £88bn is said to have been erased from market capitalisation on the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges, while more than 18,400 flights have been scrapped.
Releasing a statement on its website, the hotel said: “Jumeirah Burj Al Arab is currently undergoing a carefully phased restoration programme designed to refresh and upgrade the hotel’s iconic décor while preserving its distinctive character.
“The programme has been developed through long-term planning, following more than 25 years of continuous operation. We would be pleased to assist with an alternative reservation in one of our Jumeirah properties in town.”
MEE also claimed the hotel “suffered damage from debris from the interception of an Iranian drone attack in March”.
It said that while most drones were intercepted, debris still caused damage in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, including to places such as the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai airport and the Fujairah oil industrial zone.
The conflict and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continue to impact flights and tourism as jet fuel costs have risen, the Express reports.
Earlier this month, Emirates revealed it was presently “operating a reduced flight schedule to over 100 destinations”. The announcement followed Iran and the US declaring a fragile two-week ceasefire.