Hostel living is set to open up more options for short-stay travellers to keep pace with surging demand from Dubai's booming population.
As the city continues to grow as a go-to destination for digital nomads, remote workers and young people seeking fresh opportunities, the hospitality market is evolving to keep pace with change.
Following a government crackdown on illegal subletting and partitioned apartments for low-cost, multiple occupancy tenants, businesses have stepped up to fill shortages of legal budget beds.
Dubai's strict housing rules prevent hostel-type businesses from operating inside existing residential buildings.
But an amended hostel licence has opened the door for businesses to operate from villas or other purpose-built buildings, allowing a new enterprise model to emerge.
One businessman forced to shut down his previously unregulated hostel chain is hoping to take advantage of the amendment.
Rayan Hanna, chief executive of Next'House, is confident $10 million investment funding from private equity firm EightClouds can revitalise his ambitions for expanding Dubai’s short-term accommodation market.
Next'House operated several dormitory-style hostels inside residential buildings across Dubai, but these were ordered to close by Dubai Municipality.
The high-end, short-term lets attracted digital nomads and visiting professionals for a cut-price stay in prime locations in Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence and Dubai Marina.
With the EightClouds funding, Mr Hanna aims to resurrect plans to establish a new hostel chain in the UAE.
“Ideally, locations need to be close to a Red Line Metro station, or to the beach,” Mr Hanna told The National.
“Hostels would need to be either a lifestyle location where you can justify not having public transportation nearby, or somewhere with close transport links so guests can travel easily around the city.
“It's very important for the kind of people we are aiming to attract. From the guest numbers we had previously, only three to five per cent had cars, so were reliant on public transport.”
Mr Hanna was close to securing a Dh2.5 million ($680,700) property in La Mer in Jumeirah One to develop into a multi-bed hostel, but was outbid by a rival developer.
An amended hostel licence under approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism will allow Next'House to operate multi-occupancy accommodation, if the company owns the building outright, he said.
“This licence has to be linked to a piece of real estate − that's the challenge − and it needs to be approved as a hotel asset,” he said.
“We need to look at the right zoning, the right asset with the right facilities, the right amenities, plus the right location.
“Once we have a suitable building, we aim to be operational within six to eight weeks.”
Luxury property
A similar hostel model is already operating in Al Barsha, and is managed by Nas House.
The company offers a shared living and work space inside a five-bedroom villa, with a pool, gym, communal gardens and even a cat room. Rooms with a shared bathroom start at Dh249 per night.
Deirdre van den Dool, general manager of Nas House, which opened in August 2024, said the hostel concept is in demand across Dubai.
“We were the first official youth hostel licence in Dubai,” she said. “Our concept is a little bit different, as we do private villas and also shared villas.
“We wanted to have a space where people could come and connect with others. A lot of people were very confused because it is a new concept in Dubai, but it has been very popular.”
Nas House operates six villas with capacity for 46 guests. So far, it has attracted many digital nomads, mostly aged 20 to 40.
The average stay is between five nights and two weeks, with prices ranging from Dh180 a night for a twin room, to Dh300 for a premium room.
“Our rooms are now more popular than the private villas, so it's nice to see,” said Ms van den Dool, whose background is in hospitality, working in major hotels.
“I do think if licensing becomes easier, we would see a lot more youth hostels open up around Dubai.
“Maybe people are scared this concept is partition-style living, or maybe multiple people in the same room, which is what we don't do at all.
“Your room is yours and private, you just share the common spaces.
“This is not like a European-style hostel, it is a much more luxurious experience, but still affordable.”
Tourists continue to flood into Dubai, with increasing demand for short-term lets.
Dubai Economy and Tourism figures showed 18.72 million people stayed overnight in the city in 2024, a nine per cent increase in 12 months.
In the first half of 2025, there were 9.88 million tourists staying at least one night in Dubai, a six per cent rise in the same period in 2024.
According to short-term lettings agency AirDXB, in the first six months of 2025, 24 per cent of visitors seeking short term rentals were from the UK, followed by 14 per cent from Russia, and 11 per cent from India.
Significant interest in short-term rental options are contributing to Dubai's tourism boom. Property Finder data showed 22,000 searches for short-term rentals in Dubai in 2025, indicating high demand for flexible living.
Mark Aitchison, founder and chief executive of EightClouds, said the company’s $10 million investment into Next'House aims to take Dubai’s hostel living to the next level.
“We see a big gap in the market, as this segment of hospitality is not really being served at the moment,” he said.
“We've seen some very big brands around the globe in the hostel market that have been really successful, particularly around the Bali-inspired hostel concept.
“That’s what you think about when you consider a high level hostel concept for nomadic travellers.
“Every area of hospitality in this market is growing and, generally, the market is booming. But this is a particular segment that is underserved right now, so we're excited to invest.”
Regional plan
Next'House aims to eventually introduce hostels across the GCC by blending the casual and social atmosphere of traditional hostels with the upscale amenities and stylish design typically found in boutique hotels.
The first Dubai location will feature modern co-living spaces, private rooms, and communal work areas equipped with high-speed internet, catering to the needs of remote workers and digital entrepreneurs.
“We are looking at boutique size accommodation − so from 30 keys all the way up to 100 keys,” said Mr Aitchison. “I think the hostel accommodation model could be really big here in Dubai.”
The Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Land Department were approached for comment.
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
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Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Hidden killer
Sepsis arises when the body tries to fight an infection but damages its own tissue and organs in the process.
The World Health Organisation estimates it affects about 30 million people each year and that about six million die.
Of those about three million are newborns and 1.2 are young children.
Patients with septic shock must often have limbs amputated if clots in their limbs prevent blood flow, causing the limbs to die.
Campaigners say the condition is often diagnosed far too late by medical professionals and that many patients wait too long to seek treatment, confusing the symptoms with flu.
Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
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Louis Tomlinson
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The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
FIGHT CARD
From 5.30pm in the following order:
Featherweight
Marcelo Pontes (BRA) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) v Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Welterweight
Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR) v Gimbat Ismailov (RUS)
Flyweight (women)
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Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (BEL) v Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
Catchweight 100kg
Mohamed Ali (EGY) v Marc Vleiger (NED)
Featherweight
James Bishop (AUS) v Mark Valerio (PHI)
Welterweight
Gerson Carvalho (BRA) v Abdelghani Saber (EGY)
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) v Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Bantamweight:
Fabio Mello (BRA) v Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magemedsultanov (RUS)
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) v Jayson Margallo (PHI)
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) v Roman Golovinov (UKR)
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
