The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has teamed up with Amadeus, a pioneer in travel technology, to facilitate a city-wide ecosystem for the rapid prototyping of travel tech solutions, and reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading hub for travel innovation.
The MoU was signed by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Maher Koubaa, EVP Travel Unit and MD EMEA, Amadeus.
Under the agreement, the two entities will focus on advancing travel technology, elevating visitor experiences, and strengthening Dubai’s tourism ecosystem, creating a thriving platform to build on the record 18.72 million international overnight visitors that came to the city in 2024.
The partnership will support Dubai Economic Agenda D33, to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. DET and Amadeus are collaborating across various areas including Strategic Travel Data and Analytics, Programmatic Travel Advertising, and B2B Travel Marketing, and this MoU creates a framework for expanding this collaboration.
It also paves the way for Amadeus to establish a Centre of Excellence in Dubai to promote initiatives in key areas such as enhancement of the traveler journey experience, with an emphasis on leveraging biometrics, airport experience optimization, access management, touchless payments, and air capacity development.
Furthermore, it will support local and global start-ups and enhance travel intelligence reporting for hospitality and destinations.
His Excellency Issam Kazim CEO – Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM)
“This partnership with Amadeus marks a transformative step in our journey to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a multifaceted innovation hub and reflects our shared commitment to driving digital transformation across the travel ecosystem. It is also a testament to the continuous support extended by our visionary leadership to pursue unique initiatives that will advance our Dubai Economic Agenda, D33 goals, and the city’s ability to provide a platform for the rapid prototyping of new technologies. Dubai’s business-friendly environment, world-class infrastructure, and strategic location make it the ideal destination for the development of cutting-edge travel solutions, further increasing its attractiveness as a business and tourism hub among multinational corporations and investors. By integrating Amadeus’ expertise with Dubai’s robust tourism framework, we will also create new opportunities for businesses and startups in Dubai, driving economic diversification and sustainable growth.”
“We are very excited to be working with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and, as a strategic ally, support its mission to create a prosperous future for Dubai in line with its D33 Agenda. Amadeus’ cutting-edge technology will enable the city to offer more personalized experiences, integrating innovative solutions that contribute to its growth and set new benchmarks for excellence. This collaboration underscores our shared vision and commitment to fostering a prosperous future for Dubai and beyond”, added Maher Koubaa, Amadeus’ Executive Vice President Travel Unit and Managing Director EMEA, Amadeus.
The partnership is formed at a crucial time as the global tourism industry is increasingly relying on cutting-edge technology to meet the rapidly evolving needs of travelers. It also complements Dubai’s focus on boosting R&D across key sectors, which is being driven by partnerships across the public and private sectors, and falls in line with the goals of the D33 Agenda, to leverage innovation to drive economic growth.
Amadeus drives digital transformation across the travel ecosystem, enabling airlines, hotels, travel agencies, and airports to enhance traveler experiences. Its technology connects the entire travel value chain, offering data-driven tools for booking, distribution, analytics, and efficiency, while driving innovation to enhance the industry.
