Dubai introduces contactless hotel guest registration

Registering at Dubai hotels will now become significantly faster thanks to digital technologies. Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has announced that a citywide contactless registration system for hotel guests using their biometric data is being introduced. This was reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM), a partner of TV BRICS.

The innovative system, which is already operational, will allow guests to complete the entire formal registration procedure on their smartphone before arriving at the hotel by uploading biometric data and documents. As a result, check-in on site will be faster than usual.

It is specified that almost a quarter of the annual number of guests visit Dubai again. Such returning hotel guests will not have to undergo the registration procedure every time: upon a repeat visit, they will only need to pass a quick facial recognition process.

This initiative is a continuation of the introduction of digital technologies into Dubai’s tourism sector. Earlier, the city’s airport implemented smart biometric corridors that allow passengers to pass through passport control “in a matter of seconds”.

“The introduction of a citywide contactless registration system is a turning point for Dubai’s hospitality industry and a clear example of progress in achieving the goals of the D33 programme,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism.

The D33 development strategy was adopted in 2023 and designed for a 10-year period. It aims to accelerate growth, double Dubai’s economy, and strengthen the city’s position among the world’s top three most economically developed metropolises by 2033. The programme focuses on digital transformation and the development of a smart city system.

Photo: ronstik / iStock