Luxury hotel Burj Al Arab in Dubai will shut during a major 18-month renovation, a ​staff member confirmed on Wednesday, its first since ‌opening in 1999 and at a time when tourism in the region has slowed due to the US-Israeli war with Iran.

The ​hotel’s owner, Jumeirah, said in a statement on ​Tuesday that the work would be carried out in ⁠phases over some 18 months and would be ​led by Paris-based interior architect Tristan Auer. It did ​not specify that the property would be closed during the renovation.

The staff member said the hotel is offering alternative accommodation ​in nearby hotels to guests with bookings during ​the work. The period of closure is subject to change, the ‌person ⁠said.

The sail-shaped hotel, one of Dubai’s best-known landmarks and the flagship property of the Jumeirah group, suffered some damage when debris from an interception of an Iranian ​drone attack hit ​its facade ⁠in early March.

The “long-awaited” work is not linked with the incident in March, the ​employee said. The United Arab Emirates-based Jumeirah did ​not ⁠link the project to the war in its statement.

The timing, however, is notable because the conflict has hurt ⁠travel to ​Dubai, with flight disruptions affecting the ​UAE and luxury groups warning of pressure on profits as visitor demand weakens.