Free stays, hot meals: How UAE businesses are supporting anxious travellers, residents.
In recent days, the UAE’s private sector has gone beyond statements of solidarity and moved into action, opening homes, hotel rooms, and restaurant kitchens to anxious travellers, stranded families, and residents whose lives have been disrupted.
From facilities management firms pledging free home repairs to homegrown F&B brands cooking for anyone in need, these initiatives show how business resources can be repurposed for relief in times of distress.
What began as a handful of offers on Instagram has quickly evolved into a wave of socialpreneurship, where profits took a backseat and community care became part of the business model:
1) Free home repair services
Renovo, a Dubai-based facilities management and property maintenance company that services villas, homes, and buildings across the city, has pledged to repair every home affected during the current conflict free of charge.
“This land stood for us. Now we stand for it. Renovo will repair every home affected during this conflict free of charge,” the brand shared on Instagram.
For founder Samiul Khan, who has been in Dubai for 19 years and has spent 16 of those running renovation works in the city, this initiative is an extension of a long-standing ethos rather than a one-off gesture.
“We’ve done charitable work for the government before, like the autism centre,” says the Scottish expat. “We used to do free maintenance for the centre that was in Satwa… And with mosques as well, we’ve worked with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. We’ve done renovations for imams’ residences and makeovers.”
For Khan, the decision to offer free home repairs came from an already existing, robust ecosystem that allows him to mobilise quickly if a home is damaged. “If anyone needs our help, we’re going to go and rebuild, repaint, fix whatever it is, and get them back into their homes as quickly as possible,” he adds. “I have enough partners and suppliers in Dubai to get it sorted. It’s not always about money for our company, we’ve been doing this for a long, long time.”
2) Free stay assistance and shelter
Accommodation has been one of the most pressing needs as travellers find themselves stranded in Dubai or unable to continue their journeys. Several property developers and hospitality players have stepped forward with temporary stay assistance.
Danube Properties, one of Dubai’s well-known real estate developers with a portfolio of residential projects in areas like Jumeirah Village Circle and Dubai Silicon Oasis, has offered free stay for those seeking urgent shelter.
“Offering free accommodation in Danube Properties to those stranded in Dubai is our way of ensuring that no one feels alone during this crisis,” says Rizwan Sajan, founder and chairman, Danube Group. “The government is making every possible effort to support the community, and this is our small contribution to those commendable efforts.”
Peace Homes Developments, a Dubai real estate developer known for delivering modern, luxury-oriented residential projects also stepped in with a public offer.
“If you or someone you know is stranded in Dubai, we are providing FREE temporary accommodation in support during this challenging times. Priority will be given to families with pregnant women, children, and the elderly,” they shared on Instagram.
On the hospitality side, Mileo Hotel The Palm, a luxury aparthotel on Palm Jumeirah, has offered complimentary overnight stays to stranded travellers.
Located steps away from Palm West Beach and key attractions on the Palm, the property typically targets upscale leisure and business guests, but its doors are now open to those stuck at the airport.
3) Food as comfort and connection
At a time when anxiety is high, a hot meal can be both a source of comfort and normalcy. Petite Gourmet Dubai, a homegrown brand, has launched a food initiative aimed at stranded and vulnerable individuals, with a special focus on the service industry and delivery riders.
“As a responsible, Dubai-grown brand, we had taken an initiative to support stranded and vulnerable individuals across the UAE by providing freshly prepared hygienic meals during these challenging times,” says founder Karishma Samtani.
She emphasises that they are willing to “join hands with Hotels or any such organisations that can help us reach the audience who need this,” adding, “We believe we can collectively make a meaningful impact in the community.”
The turning point for Petite Gourmet was seeing delivery riders working through the uncertainty, Samtani adds. “Riders/people who worked tirelessly through it all, they deserve comfort too, right? And food is the ultimate comfort attached to any form of normality during these trying times,” she says, urging anyone who wants to order these boxes to distribute or donate to reach out via Instagram @petitegourmetdubai.
4) Rental stays, fees waived
Support has also come from the vacation rental and holiday homes segment, where platforms that typically monetise short stays are prioritising solidarity over revenue.
AraBnB Holiday Homes Dubai was among the first to publicly offer free-of-charge stays to people stranded or in need of overnight shelter, posting: “If you’re stranded in Dubai tonight, we’re opening up a few of our apartments for the night.”
On the other hand, LivJaza, a UAE-born curated travel marketplace for vacation rentals, has also stepped in by waiving platform fees to make stays more affordable for both residents and tourists.
When a user commented, “Please help us. 3 adults and my 3 year old granddaughter. We have booked an extra night Monday. But the owner will not drop price. Thanks”, LivJaza replied: “Please reach out to us via DM. We’d love to help you with a stay.”
Founder and CEO Ramneek Dhir describes this decision as a reflection of the platform’s core principles “As a UAE-born platform, our foundation is built on trust, transparency and responsibility,” he says.
“From day one, our priority has been to verify every listing thoroughly before bringing it on board. We believe credibility is not optional, it is essential. And in light of the current crisis, this is not a time to focus on profits. This is a time to stand united,” Dhir adds.
Free stays, hot meals: How UAE businesses are supporting anxious travellers, residents | Source: Khaleej Times
