Why Influencers Are Flocking to Dubai: A Safe Haven Amidst Middle East Tensions

In a dramatic turn of events, online communities have begun to criticize influencers who flocked to the United Arab Emirates in pursuit of an opulent, tax-free lifestyle. These individuals now find themselves in an unexpected and precarious situation as Iranian drones and missiles have targeted Dubai, transforming their once glamorous haven into a conflict zone.

On Saturday evening, the iconic Fairmont hotel located on Palm Jumeirah was engulfed in flames, sending plumes of dense black smoke into the night sky. The attack left at least four people injured, while UK tourists sought refuge in basements to escape the missile onslaught above.

In the midst of the chaos, the Burj Khalifa, renowned as the tallest building in the world and a potential target, was swiftly evacuated. The city, which is home to more than 240,000 British expatriates, was gripped by panic as the threat loomed large.

Witnesses reported seeing missiles streaking across the Dubai skyline, moving with alarming speed before crashing into structures. Videos capturing these moments displayed the terrifying precision and speed of the attacks.

Among those ensnared in this turmoil were model Hofit Golan and influencer Will Bailey. Both expressed their shock and dismay at the current situation in a city they believed to be one of the safest in the world.

And socialite Petra Ecclestone who described it as ‘one of the worst, most scary nights of my life’. 

But as influencers shared their fear, many online showed little sympathy with one user sneering: ‘Don’t all the lovely influencers move to Dubai because it’s so safe. I’ve never been hit by an Iranian missile on my way to Asda.’

Another wrote: ‘I don’t feel bad for any influencers or content creators that are currently stuck in Dubai. We told you to stop going there.’

A third added: ‘Suddenly Dubai isn’t a flex anymore for the wannabe Instagram influencers.’

Influencer Will Bailey took to Instagram to detail how he was getting no sleep with the attack going on outside 

Laura Anderson wrote on Instagram about her fears and concerns over what was going on overnight 

Socialite Petra Ecclestone described the horror of the night as explosions echoed across the city

‘Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening. But like many others our flight was cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai’, she wrote.

‘We’re receiving a lot of messages from people asking if we’re ok which we are. We are currently in our hotel and have been assured we’re safe. 

‘We are aware that the situation that is unfolding is scary and I’m also aware that there’s a lot of videos circulating on social media which are understandably concerning.

‘I’m not sure what else to say, other than we’re doing our best to stay calm, not feed any unconfirmed narratives and we’re thinking of everyone who is feeling unsettled and unsafe right now’.

Socialite Petra Ecclestone described the horror of the night as explosions echoed across the city.

‘We fled one place searching for peace, and last night reminded us how fragile that feeling of safety can be. It was terrifying. But we are safe, we are together, and we are holding our kids extra close today. Grateful beyond words.’

Boxer Amir Khan hasn’t spoken out publicly yet but has posted on his story the guidance for British nationals in the UAE.

Whereas high-profile couple who moved to Dubai last year, Rio Ferdinand and Kate Ferdinand, have yet to be heard from. 

Just hours before the strikes, Love Island star Arabella Chi had been playing on the beach with her daughter: ‘Dubai friends. Scary times. Stay safe,’ she wrote.

Also posting from the city was Sophia Peschisolido, who lives in Dubai with her husband and two children: ‘I never imagined I’d experience the sound of a bomb exploding. So scary. Omg.’

‘Ercan and I were due to fly to Sydney this evening. But like many others our flight was cancelled and we are now effectively stuck in Dubai’, Vicky Pattinson wrote

Boxer Amir Khan hasn’t spoken out publicly yet but has posted on his story the guidance for British nationals in the UAE

Today Will Bailey showed more missiles being intercepted over Dubai 

Love Island star Laura Anderson, 36, reassured her followers that her and daughter Bonnie, two, ‘are fine’ after touching down in Dubai in the early hours of Saturday

Israeli socialite Hofit Golan (pictured) and British TV stars Vicky Pattison and Laura Anderson are among the celebrities and influencers currently caught up in the Iranian missile strikes on Dubai’s famous Palm Jumeirah 

An Iranian missile hit Dubai’s famous hotel on Saturday as Tehran launches widespread revenge attacks across the Middle East following US airstrikes 

She later added: ‘I just witnessed what appeared to be a missile flying over my house, it’s surreal this is actually happening. It sounds like a warzone outside. We’re scared but thankfully safe. Thank you for all the messages. We’re okay for now.’

Model Hofit Golan, 40, shared chilling footage from her hotel balcony showing rockets and explosions after arriving in Dubai just hours earlier.

Hofit recalled: ‘I heard loud explosions and I thought ‘I can’t believe it I am in the safest city in the world and I can’t believe this is happening’.

‘Of course I am frightened. It is a natural reaction. The UAE is supposed to be one of the safest places.

‘You see it (explosions) in front of your balcony. You see fireworks usually but that’s a different kind of lighting of the skies.’

Laura Anderson, 36, who landed in the early hours of Saturday with her two-year-old daughter, reassured followers: ‘Horrendous situation. Bonnie and I are fine.’

She later added: ‘Today we heard the bombs – multiple loud explosions, the house shaking – and for the first time the kids heard it too/ And honestly that’s the moment it stops being news and starts feeling real’. 

As Iran’s retaliation intensified, the UAE announced it had ‘partially and temporarily’ closed its airspace as a precaution, leaving thousands of tourists stranded. 

Dubai International Airport shut down amid global flight chaos, with smoke seen rising from the area this morning.

Authorities in Dubai were last night reported to be threatening residents with fines of up to £40,000 or prison for sharing videos of the strikes, severely limiting information coming out of the city.

British influencer Will Bailey, who has just landed in Dubai and was sitting poolside at the hotel, said: ‘That was metres away from us. Look at this.

‘That is the Fairmont hotel in Dubai. Oh my God, oh my God.’

He added: ‘Oh my days, over the beach club is f****** mental. Literally directly above us. That is insane. They were so loud. I have no words. In the safest city in the world. Wow.’

Missiles fired from Tehran have struck US military bases in Qatar and have also hit Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Israel, as Iran vowed to unleash its ‘most intense offensive operation in history’.

The attacks follow confirmation from Tehran that Ali Khamenei had been killed in joint US-Israeli strikes alongside members of his family and senior military figures.

Laura Anderson, 36, who landed in the early hours of Saturday with her two-year-old daughter wrote on social media her fears

British influencer Will Bailey, who was close to the Fairmont hotel in Dubai, expressed his shock as the missile landed just metres away from him 

UK citizens have been urged to shelter by the British embassy in Doha, while Qatar also warned residents via an alert to stay indoors and away from military bases.

The UK withdrew its diplomatic staff from Iran on Friday due to security worries, while staff in the British embassy in Tel Aviv and their dependents have been moved to another location by the Foreign Office.

The UK Government said its priority is ‘the safety of UK nationals’ in the Middle East but that it is ‘ready to protect our interests’.

A Government spokesperson said: ‘Iran must never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and that is why we have continually supported efforts to reach a negotiated solution.

‘Our immediate priority is the safety of UK nationals in the region and we will provide them with consular assistance, available 24/7.

‘As part of our longstanding commitments to the security of our allies in the Middle East, we have a range of defensive capabilities in the region, which we have recently bolstered. We stand ready to protect our interests.

‘We do not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict.’