An X submit by Varinder Bansal, founding father of Omkara Capital, is providing a contrasting on-ground view of Dubai amid ongoing tensions within the Center East. In an in depth submit on X, Bansal, at present in Dubai, mentioned that whereas town feels quieter, life continues as normal. “I’m at present in Dubai, and right here’s what I’m seeing on the bottom,” he wrote.
Bansal mentioned that his flight from Mumbai to Dubai by way of Emirates was utterly full, countering claims that journey to the UAE had dropped considerably. “Persons are nonetheless travelling to Dubai. It’s removed from empty, opposite to what many social media narratives recommend,” he famous.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged seen adjustments after touchdown. Based on him, “The town positively feels lighter—visitors is down considerably, and vacationer presence is visibly decrease. I might estimate visitors ranges to be down by ~50%,” he mentioned. However regardless of this, he mentioned there isn’t a sense of panic amongst residents.
Dubai is ‘removed from being a ghost city’
Additional, sharing his expertise over the previous two days, Bansal mentioned malls, eating places and public areas stay lively. He cited a go to to Mall of the Emirates, saying, “Not overcrowded like peak vacationer season, however actually not a ‘ghost city’ as usually portrayed.”
“Outlets had been lively, some eating places had been full, and other people had been out having fun with themselves,” he mentioned, including that daily-use shops and cafes remained notably busy.
Bansal famous that some areas nearer to the airport, corresponding to Mirdif, noticed extra disruption earlier, together with stories of drone sightings. However even there, he mentioned, the scenario seems to have stabilised. Key areas like Downtown Dubai and Sheikh Zayed Street, he added, proceed to operate with minimal disruption, aside from occasional precautionary alerts.
Bansal additionally touched upon the actual property market. “On the greater finish—villas above AED 20 million—there are indicators of correction, roughly within the 10–20% vary. However, offers aren’t getting closed on this phase as nicely,” he mentioned. Nonetheless, he added that the mid-market phase stays secure, with each consumers and sellers adopting a cautious, wait-to-watch method.
“Sure, Dubai feels completely different right now—much less crowded, much less chaotic, and quieter as a consequence of fewer vacationers. However it’s removed from being a ghost city. The town is functioning, individuals are working, and each day life continues. The general sentiment is easy: cautious, however calm. No panic. Only a collective hope that the scenario stabilizes quickly,” Bansal concluded.
Notably, his submit comes in opposition to the backdrop of escalating tensions within the Center East. In February, the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory assaults by Iran on American bases and Israeli navy targets. The battle has since disrupted airspace throughout the Gulf and impacted nations together with the UAE, Qatar and Jordan, with evacuations of overseas vacationers reported.
