Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with travel technology leader Amadeus to foster a city-wide ecosystem for rapid prototyping of innovative travel tech solutions. This partnership aims to strengthen Dubai’s tourism sector, improve visitor experiences, and build on the 18.72 million international overnight visitors expected in 2024.
The MoU, signed by Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), and Maher Koubaa, EVP Travel Unit and MD EMEA at Amadeus, is set to support Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda, enhancing its position as a global business and leisure hub.
DET and Amadeus already collaborate across several key areas, including Strategic Travel Data, Programmatic Travel Advertising, and B2B Travel Marketing. The new agreement will expand these efforts and pave the way for Amadeus to establish a Centre of Excellence in Dubai, focusing on advancing traveler experiences with technologies such as biometrics, touchless payments, airport optimization, and air capacity development.
The partnership will also support local and global startups, improving travel intelligence reporting for hospitality and destinations. Issam Kazim highlighted the importance of this collaboration, emphasizing Dubai’s role as a hub for innovation, with a business-friendly environment and world-class infrastructure. He stated that the partnership would drive economic diversification and sustainable growth while creating new opportunities for businesses in Dubai.
Maher Koubaa from Amadeus expressed excitement about the collaboration, noting that Amadeus’ advanced technology would help Dubai offer more personalized experiences and set new standards for excellence in the travel industry. This partnership comes at a crucial time for the global tourism industry, which is becoming increasingly reliant on technology to meet shifting traveler demands.
This collaboration aligns with Dubai’s strategic focus on boosting research and development across various sectors, reflecting the goals of the D33 Agenda to leverage innovation for economic growth. Amadeus continues to drive digital transformation across the travel industry, enabling airlines, hotels, travel agencies, and airports to enhance traveler experiences through data-driven solutions.
