The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology, to accelerate travel innovation and digital transformation in the emirate. The collaboration is set to enhance Dubai’s tourism ecosystem by leveraging AI, biometrics, and smart travel solutions to improve the visitor experience.
Advancing Dubai’s Travel and Tourism Sector
Building on an already well-established partnership, DET and Amadeus will focus on:
✔ Developing a city-wide travel technology ecosystem for rapid prototyping of new solutions.
✔ Enhancing visitor experiences through biometrics, touchless payments, and airport optimizations.
✔ Strengthening Dubai’s tourism industry by integrating data-driven insights and analytics.
✔ Supporting global and local startups in travel technology.
This partnership aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to solidify the city’s position as a global business and leisure hub. Dubai welcomed a record 18.72 million international visitors in 2024, underscoring its growing appeal as a premier travel destination.
Dubai’s Travel Innovation Strategy
The MoU was signed by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), a division of DET, and Maher Koubaa, Executive Vice President of Travel Unit & Managing Director EMEA at Amadeus.
“This partnership with Amadeus marks a transformative step in our journey to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a multifaceted innovation hub and reflects our shared commitment to driving digital transformation across the travel ecosystem,” said Issam Kazim.
“Dubai’s business-friendly environment, world-class infrastructure, and strategic location make it the ideal destination for the development of cutting-edge travel solutions, further increasing its attractiveness as a business and tourism hub among multinational corporations and investors.”
Amadeus to Establish a Centre of Excellence in Dubai
The agreement also paves the way for Amadeus to set up a Centre of Excellence in Dubai, focusing on:
- Biometric-powered travel experiences for seamless check-ins and border control.
- Airport experience optimization using AI and automation.
- Touchless payment solutions for greater efficiency and security.
- Advanced travel intelligence reporting to benefit hospitality and destinations.
“We are very excited to be working with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and, as a strategic ally, support its mission to create a prosperous future for Dubai in line with its D33 Agenda,” said Maher Koubaa, Executive Vice President Travel Unit & Managing Director EMEA at Amadeus.
“Amadeus’ cutting-edge technology will enable the city to offer more personalized experiences, integrating innovative solutions that contribute to its growth and set new benchmarks for excellence.”
Dubai’s Commitment to Digital Transformation in Tourism
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment when global tourism is increasingly reliant on technology to meet changing traveler expectations. By leveraging R&D partnerships across the public and private sectors, Dubai is positioning itself as a global leader in travel innovation.
Amadeus plays a critical role in driving digital transformation across the travel industry, enabling airlines, hotels, travel agencies, and airports to deliver seamless and efficient experiences. Through its data-driven solutions for booking, distribution, and analytics, Amadeus continues to redefine travel technology and efficiency worldwide.
The Future of Travel Innovation in Dubai
With this collaboration, Dubai is taking another bold step toward integrating next-generation technology into its tourism industry. The city aims to provide a smarter, faster, and more efficient travel experience for millions of visitors while setting global benchmarks for innovation through AI, automation, and data-driven insights.
For more details on Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Amadeus, visit:
🌍 dubaidet.gov.ae
🌍 Amadeus.com
