Definition
A Dubai government fee charged per occupied room per night, for up to 30 consecutive nights, collected by the hotel at check-in or check-out. It ranges from AED 7 to AED 20 a night depending on hotel category and is usually not included in package prices.
How much it is
| Hotel category | Per room per night |
|---|---|
| 5-star | AED 20 (about ₹480) |
| 4-star | AED 15 (about ₹360) |
| 3-star | AED 10 (about ₹240) |
| 1–2 star and guesthouses | AED 7 (about ₹170) |
Hotel apartments and holiday homes have their own category-based rates. The fee is per room, not per person, and stops after 30 nights at the same property. Other emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, levy their own tourism fees.
Example
A Mumbai family of four stays four nights in two rooms at a 4-star hotel in Deira on a land package bought in India.
- 2 rooms × 4 nights × AED 15 = AED 120 (about ₹2,900)
The hotel asks for this at check-in along with a refundable security deposit. The voucher says the Tourism Dirham is payable directly at the hotel, which still surprises many families.
Why it is not in your package
Most Indian tour operators leave it out because Dubai rules have the hotel collect it from the guest. It is separate from the service charge, municipality fee and VAT on a Dubai hotel bill, which are usually already built into a package price.
Practical advice
- Read the package exclusions. Tourism Dirham, resort fees and city taxes are the common add-ons.
- Keep a card or some dirhams ready at check-in, along with funds for the deposit.
- On a budget trip, a 3-star hotel saves on both the room rate and the fee.
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