Tour groups left stranded in Dubai amid Iran tensions; Insurance unlikely to cover added bills

About 20 Hong Kong travelers with WWPKG tours remain stranded in Dubai after flights were suspended at Dubai International Airport amid escalating tensions linked to the Iran situation, raising concerns for passengers transiting through the Middle East.

Travel agency WWPKG confirmed on Monday that two of its tour groups, totaling around 20 people including tour leaders, are currently in Dubai with no confirmed return date.

Executive Director Yuen Chun-ning said the groups departed last Thursday and Friday, coinciding with the sudden escalation in regional tensions.

“They happened to depart last Thursday and Friday,” Yuen said. The groups were originally scheduled to return to Hong Kong as early as Wednesday this week. However, with Dubai airport suspending all flight operations, their return has become uncertain.

He added that airlines are issuing updates on a daily basis. “As of today, the second, flights are suspended until the fifth,” he said, noting that arrangements beyond that remain unclear.

The agency’s immediate priority, Yuen stressed, is safety. The travelers are staying at a five-star hotel, where normal nightly rates range between HK$2,000 and HK$2,500. The company is negotiating with the hotel for special rates to minimize additional costs and avoid forcing guests to relocate.

With airport operations halted and no new arrivals entering Dubai, hotel room supply is not a concern. The main issue is the financial burden caused by the extended stay.

Local authorities in Dubai have advised residents and visitors to limit movement. Yuen said the agency strongly recommends that travelers remain indoors.

“We do not encourage going out, as the local government has advised people to stay inside as much as possible,” he said, adding that most sightseeing activities have been suspended for safety reasons.

Although some travelers may feel disappointed that much of the itinerary has been canceled, Yuen emphasized that safety comes first. If any guests insist on going out after signing a waiver, the company would first consult its local tour leader, guide and driver. However, he reiterated that the agency’s official position is not to encourage such outings.

The financial implications may also prove challenging. Yuen said additional expenses arising from the flight suspension — including hotel and meal costs — are unlikely to be covered by travel insurance.

“I have never seen a policy that covers this,” he said, explaining that most travel insurance plans exclude war, unrest and geopolitical conflicts. Unlike weather disruptions such as typhoons, which are typically covered, incidents linked to armed conflict usually fall under standard exclusions.

Dubai’s role as a major international transit hub has amplified the impact. Many long-haul routes from Hong Kong to Europe and North Africa rely on connections through the city. With Easter travel season approaching, Yuen said the agency has received a surge of inquiries from customers concerned about upcoming trips.

“Easter starts toward the end of March, and long-haul travel is particularly busy,” he said, describing constant calls from clients asking about contingency plans.

The agency has already canceled all UAE tours departing on or before March 10, offering full refunds without administrative fees. For other long-haul tours transiting through Dubai, arrangements will be handled on a case-by-case basis, including possible rerouting to destinations that do not pass through the Middle East.

Yuen noted that while the Hong Kong government’s outbound travel alert system often serves as an industry reference point for cancellations and refunds, current red alerts apply to Iran and Israel, not the United Arab Emirates. As a result, decisions are being made based on the operational reality of the airport closure rather than formal travel advisories.

In the short term, he expects some airlines may shift transit operations to alternative hubs such as Turkey if Dubai remains unavailable.