Hospitality is being taken to the next level with the launch of a cutting-edge face recognition system
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) is taking hospitality to the next level with the launch of a cutting-edge Face Recognition System designed to boost both efficiency and safety across hotels in the emirate.
It’s all part of their commitment to smart tourism and maintaining Abu Dhabi’s top spot as the world’s safest city; an impressive title it’s held for nine years straight, according to Numbeo’s Safety Index.
This exciting new system was officially unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market and is being rolled out through DCT Abu Dhabi’s Licensing & Regulatory Compliance Department.
It’s designed to speed up the guest check-in process, reduce wait times, and make everything smoother and more secure—for both travelers and hotel staff.
The initiative is the result of a cooperation agreement between DCT Abu Dhabi and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). Working together, they’re bringing advanced facial recognition tech into Abu Dhabi’s hospitality sector in a big way.
So, how does it work?
When guests check in, the system captures and analyses biometric data using face recognition technology.
That data is encrypted and securely retrieved from ICP’s records, then sent to a centralised database managed by DCT Abu Dhabi; all in full compliance with the UAE’s strict cybersecurity and data privacy regulations.
The goal is to use this information solely to improve safety and make operations more efficient.
Right now, the system is in its pilot phase and being tested in a few select hotels. The first full rollout will start with five-star hotels across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, followed by a second phase covering four-star properties, and eventually, all other hotel categories will get on board too.
DCT Abu Dhabi is making sure hotels are fully prepared. They’re providing direct support, technical training, and system briefings to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Not only does the tech streamline check-in and check-out, but it also cuts down on paperwork and waiting, making for a more relaxed and modern guest experience.
This is the first time a government-led facial recognition initiative has been introduced in Abu Dhabi’s hotel scene, showing just how serious the emirate is about blending innovation with top-notch hospitality.
Beyond just the tech, the collaboration between DCT Abu Dhabi and ICP includes pilot projects, robust data protection strategies, and deeper system integration; all part of a bigger push to digitally transform the tourism sector.
In short, Abu Dhabi is setting a new benchmark for smart, secure, and guest-friendly travel. The future of hospitality is here; and it’s looking pretty high-tech.
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