The Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai will be closed for a major renovation of 18 months, the first since its opening in 1999. Guests will be redirected to nearby hotels.

The luxury hotel Burj Al Arab in Dubai will be closed for a major renovation of 18 months, according to a statement from a staff member. This is the first renovation since the official opening of the hotel in 1999 and takes place in the context of a slowdown in tourism in the Persian Gulf, influenced by conflicts in the region.

The hotel owner, the Jumeirah hotel group, announced that the work will be carried out in phases, under the guidance of interior architect Tristan Auer. Although it was not specified whether the hotel will be completely closed during the renovation, the employee mentioned that guests with reservations will be offered alternative accommodation in nearby hotels. The renovation is not related to the incident in March, when the hotel suffered damage from debris of a drone attack, but the timing is significant, considering the impact of the conflict on tourism in Dubai. The Jumeirah group did not link the renovation to the war, but acknowledges that the demand for accommodation has decreased.