Dubai partners with Amadeus to build...

Solutions include intelligence reporting for hospitality and destinations

Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic MoU with Amadeus to create a travel tech ecosystem for the city.

The partnership with the travel technology giant aims to enhance Dubai's tourism ecosystem and build on the 18.72 million international visitors in 2024.

Amadeus will establish a Centre of Excellence in Dubai to promote initiatives including the use of biometrics, airport experience optimisation, access management, touchless payments and air capacity development.

It will further support start-ups and provide in-depth intelligence reporting for hospitality and destinations.

Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, said that by integrating Amadeus’ expertise with Dubai’s robust tourism framework, it would create “new opportunities for businesses and startups in Dubai, driving economic diversification and sustainable growth.”

The travel industry is increasingly reliant on technology, and especially artificial intelligence (AI), which is shifting traveller expectations.

According to online travel agency Musafir, technology is impacting the way UAE residents book their holidays, with customisation and convenience priorities in selecting an online booking platform.

Marriott Bonvoy’s 2025 Ticket to Travel report stated that in tech-savvy Saudi and UAE, more than two-thirds of consumers (67%) say they have used AI to help plan or research a holiday, well above the EMEA average of 41%.

Little wonder that travel technology exhibitors at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) are up 25%, reflecting the significance of the US$10.7 billion opportunity. Amadeus will be one of those exhibitors, along with Wego, Huawei, Sabre, Expedia, Travelport, Dida Travel, Hotelbeds, WebBeds and Moonline Travel.

For more information, visit www.dubaidet.gov.ae/en

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