95% of UAE Experiences Are Open for Bookings [UPDATE]

Mar 10
3 min read

Updated: Mar 25

Over the past days, many of us living in the UAE have been following the news closely. The regional situation and daily reports about it naturally raise questions and concerns.

We have also received messages from customers asking whether experiences are still operating and whether it still makes sense to buy or redeem vouchers.

So I wanted to share a quick update.

Ithara.ae is fully operational, and about 95% of our experiences are accepting bookings.

Most restaurants, wellness studios, activity providers and workshops across Dubai and the UAE are open and welcoming guests. Our team is at full speed (while on Ramadan hours) to ensure your experiences are booked and scheduled when you're ready to enjoy them and I'm thankful for their great work these weeks.

Of course, everyone should follow official UAE government guidance and prioritize safety. But when it is safe to do so, spending time with friends or family and enjoying an experience can be a healthy way to disconnect from the constant news cycle.

And it can also help support local businesses.

If You’re Buying a Gift Voucher

If you were planning to buy a gift, you can still do so with confidence.

Here is why:

12 months validity: Every Ithara.ae voucher is valid for a full year, giving the recipient plenty of flexibility.
Free exchanges: If the recipient prefers another experience, they can exchange their voucher for something else on the platform, depending on what feels appropriate to them now.
Most experiences are open: Currently, around 95% of our partners are operating normally. You can filter experiences labeled as 'live availability' to see their available slots online.

Common Questions from Customers

What if my recipient can’t use the voucher soon? They have 12 months to redeem it and can exchange it if needed.

What if their experience isn’t available on the chosen date? They can simply choose another date or exchange the voucher.

What if the voucher expires? Normally, we charge a small validity extension fee, but during March-April 2026, we are waiving this fee completely.

If You Already Have a Voucher

Can I book my experience now? Yes. Around 95% of experiences are operational, but we recommend checking availability and cancellation policies when booking.

What if I prefer to wait? That’s absolutely fine. You can redeem your voucher anytime within the validity period.

Until the end of April, we are also offering free 1-month validity extensions (normally AED 50).

What about cancellations or rescheduling? Many partners offer flexible policies, but these vary. Please review the specific provider’s policy when booking.

Why Enjoying Experiences Matters Right Now

Not only are experiences a perfect distraction from the news headlines of these days. They directly contribute to the resilience of the local ecosystem.

Many of our partners rely heavily on tourism. When travel slows down, UAE residents become even more important to them.

These are the small businesses behind many of the experiences people love:

dining experiences
adventure activities
wellness studios
creative workshops
local instructors and guides

Supporting them helps keep the UAE’s experience community going.

At Ithara.ae, we have always believed in helping people collect memories, not things, and moments shared with loved ones often matter even more during uncertain times.

If you were planning to gift an experience or redeem one you already have, please know that we are here and operating as usual, ready to support our customers and partners alike.

Stay safe and take care of each other.

Lukas Co-Founder, Ithara.ae

Operational Updates:

Here’s how we’re continuing to support our customers during the current situation in the Middle East:

Extended Experiences for the Right Season: Hot air balloon experiences and polo afternoon tea are currently paused. To ensure every recipient can fully enjoy these experiences, all related vouchers have been extended free of charge until the next operating season.
Complimentary Voucher Validity Extension: As a special gesture during the current situation, we are continuing to offer customers the option to extend their voucher validity by 1 month free of charge, giving them extra flexibility if their plans are affected.
Flexible Rescheduling with Full Protection: Our team is actively coordinating with partners on behalf of customers to secure the best possible options. All bookings affected in recent weeks have been successfully rescheduled or cancelled, with no customer losing their voucher. Every voucher remains fully valid and protected.