ATM 2025: Abu Dhabi rolls out facial recognition in hotels
New system to slash check-in times and boost guest experience
DUBAI: Abu Dhabi is embracing facial recognition technology to transform its hospitality landscape, with a smart new system designed to enhance guest safety and service efficiency.
Unveiled at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, the initiative is led by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in partnership with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP).
The Face Recognition System, currently in a pilot phase, marks the first government-led collaboration of its kind between hotels and authorities in the emirate. This rollout reflects Abu Dhabi’s drive to maintain its leadership in global safety, having been named the world’s safest city in Numbeo’s Safety Index for nine consecutive years.
Smart tourism push
The system captures and analyses biometric data during guest check-in, cross-verifying it through ICP records and transmitting the data to a centralised database managed by DCT Abu Dhabi. All information is securely encrypted and handled in accordance with UAE cybersecurity and data protection laws, strictly for operational and safety purposes.
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, highlighted the strategic vision behind the move: “The integration of the Face Recognition System underscores our shared commitment to pioneering advancements in smart tourism… ensuring a seamless, safer and more connected journey for every visitor.”
This tech-led solution is aimed at dramatically reducing check-in times, boosting accuracy in guest verification, and streamlining both check-in and check-out procedures.
Hotel rollout begins
Initially, the system is being tested in a limited number of select hotels across Abu Dhabi. The first official phase of the full rollout will cover all five-star properties in Abu Dhabi city, the Al Ain Region, and the Al Dhafra Region. Four-star hotels will be included in the second phase, followed by a gradual extension to all remaining hotel categories.
DCT Abu Dhabi is actively coordinating with hotel operators to ensure the implementation is seamless. This includes comprehensive training sessions, technical assistance, and step-by-step briefings to support hotel staff in integrating the new system.
The wider aim is to digitise the travel experience, aligning with the UAE’s ongoing digital transformation agenda in key economic sectors such as tourism and hospitality.
Tourism surge
The new system’s unveiling comes at a time when Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector is posting strong growth figures. In Q1 2025 alone, the emirate welcomed 1.4 million overnight visitors, with leading source markets including India, China, Russia, the UK, and the US.
Revenue from hotels reached Dh2.3 billion (US$626 million), an 18 per cent rise from the same period in 2024. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) hit Dh484, marking a 25 per cent year-on-year increase. Hotel occupancy levels also stayed robust, averaging 79 per cent – even through Ramadan.
With tourism expected to contribute Dh62 billion to the local economy this year – a 13 per cent increase over 2024 – and support 255,000 jobs across the emirate, the push for smart, secure travel solutions reflects Abu Dhabi’s larger strategy to remain a global tourism powerhouse.