Page 15 - MFNCA PR REPORT - APRIL 2025

5/1/25, 12:08 PM Abu Dhabi introduces facial recognition technology at hotel check-in desks | The National
“By working closely with ICP and our hotel partners and national authorities, we are

ensuring a seamless, safer and more connected journey for every visitor.”

In April 2024, Abu Dhabi announced plans to invest more than $10 billion in

infrastructure, as part of a new strategy to boost international visitor numbers and

cultural activity.

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Strategy 2030 aims to create 178,000 new jobs in the

emirate, bringing the total number of jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors to

about 366,000 by the end of the decade. The UAE capital also aims to attract 39.3

million annual visitors as part of the master plan.

How does the technology work?

This high-tech verification process will be used as proof of identification for both
guests and hotel employees.

The DCT is providing technical and training support to hotels to ensure the smooth
operation of the programme, which aims to streamline both check-in and checkout

procedures.

The facial recognition system captures and analyses biometric data during guest

check-in. The data is securely encrypted, retrieved from ICP and transmitted to a

centralised database managed by DCT Abu Dhabi.

Data will be gathered and used in accordance with the UAE's cybersecurity and

data privacy regulations.

This month, Abdulrahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention and Minister

of State for FNC Affairs, outlined the work to harness biometrics – such as

fingerprint and facial recognition technology – as an

advanced identification measure for UAE residents, in support of a nationwide

digital-first strategy.

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