Hotels in the United Arab Emirates emirate of Ajman have begun reopening their beaches to tourists following a disruptive coastal fuel oil spill.
Ajman is one of four emirates affected by the pollution, which forced coastal properties across the region to shut down waterfront access. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia, known as ATOR, announced the reopenings on its Telegram channel, noting that swimming had resumed at several major resorts.
Six prominent hotel properties in Ajman have welcomed guests back onto the sand. The reopened hotel beaches include Dusit Ajman, Fairmont Ajman, Bahi Ajman Palace, Ramada Hotel & Suites Ajman, Ramada Beach Ajman, and Wyndham. However, local government authorities have not yet issued an official announcement confirming that coastal waters are clear.
Resort staff confirmed that waters had been cleared for leisure bathing. Otabek Turaboev, a representative of the Wyndham Garden Ajman Corniche hotel, told the Krysha TourDoma Telegram channel that management had received approval and that holidaymakers were already swimming as of Monday.
Resort relocations and regional impact
While bathers have returned to the water in Ajman, environmental restrictions remain in force across the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah. Guests staying at the Coral Beach Resort Sharjah cannot use the local shoreline and are instead being transported by bus to use the reopened beach at the Bahi Ajman Palace in Ajman.
The spill caused significant upheaval for international visitors arriving in the Persian Gulf. Earlier in the crisis, more than 100 Russian families were moved to alternative hotels due to oil slicks washing ashore. Several of those families encountered fresh petroleum contamination and renewed beach closures only a day after being relocated.
Coastal tourism in the northern emirates
Ajman is the smallest in area among the seven members of the United Arab Emirates federation. Situated along the Persian Gulf coastline north of Sharjah and Dubai, the emirate relies heavily on luxury waterfront resorts that attract international holidaymakers seeking warm weather during the autumn and winter months.
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia tracks travel conditions for thousands of package tourists travelling abroad, serving as a key source of information during disruptions. Heavy fuel oil slicks in busy marine channels can quickly deposit sticky petroleum residue onto sandy shores, making beaches unsafe for swimming until cleanup operations conclude.
Hotel operators continue to monitor water quality along the shoreline as other coastal areas wait for clearance. While commercial properties in Ajman have moved ahead with reopening access for their guests, holidaymakers throughout the wider region are still awaiting formal safety updates from municipal and environmental authorities.
