
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism Partners with Amadeus to Boost Travel Tech Innovation
Dubai's tourism and travel sector is set to receive a major technological boost as the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signs a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology.
The collaboration aims to create a city-wide ecosystem for rapid prototyping of travel tech solutions, reinforcing Dubai's position as a premier global travel and business hub.
Signed by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), and Maher Koubaa, EVP Travel Unit and MD EMEA at Amadeus, the MoU supports the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which focuses on innovation-driven economic growth. The agreement builds upon an already strong partnership between the two entities, encompassing strategic travel data analytics, digital advertising, and B2B travel marketing.
A key aspect of the partnership is the establishment of an Amadeus Centre of Excellence in Dubai. This initiative will drive advancements in biometrics, airport experience optimization, touchless payments, and air capacity development. It will also foster local and global startups while enhancing travel intelligence reporting for the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Kazim emphasized that the collaboration aligns with Dubai's vision of becoming a leading innovation hub, stating: 'This partnership reflects our shared commitment to digital transformation, reinforcing Dubai as a destination for pioneering travel technologies.'
Maher Koubaa highlighted Amadeus' role in shaping the future of travel, adding: 'Our technology will enhance personalized experiences and contribute to Dubai's growth, setting new benchmarks in travel innovation.'
As global tourism increasingly integrates technology to meet evolving traveler expectations, this partnership underscores Dubai's commitment to leveraging innovation for sustainable economic growth.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Web Release
35 minutes ago
- Web Release
NextGen Career Fest 2025: Pupilar Unites UAE's Youth Ecosystem for a Future-Ready Workforce
Pupilar , the unifying platform for youth employment in the UAE has hosted its first NextGen Career Fest 2025, a flagship event organized by Pupilar with in5 as their Talent Accelerator Sponsor, brought together over 500+ Attendees, 1000+ registered youth representing more than 50+ nationalities and 100+ universities, alongside employers, policymakers, and education leaders for a full-day event at in5 Tech, Dubai Internet City. The event also witnessed/welcomed the gathering of about 60+ high profile VIPs, including: Saeed Al Nofeli, Vice President, in5 Innovation Centers | Mahir Julfar, Executive Vice President – Venue Services Management, Dubai World Trade Centre | Meshael Al Blooshi, Seasoned HR Leader and Active Board Advisor (ex. HR of Nakheel) | Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra UAE | National CSR Fund | Claudia Pinto, Head of Philanthropy & Sustainability Advisor to HH Sheikh Marwan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum | Ayman Al Awadhi, Managing Director, The Corporate Group | David Van Lochem, CEO and Co-Founder, Augmented Workforce In addition to the VIP presence, the event brought together a strong HR and employer ecosystem, featuring over 70 companies in total — including: 18 hiring exhibitors 19 partners 16+ industry mentors 14 youth-led start-ups, including Iza's Soap House, founded in Dubai in 2022; the venture of an 11-year-old entrepreneur. NextGen Career Fest stands as a testament to how purpose-driven initiatives can actively shape the future of youth employment. Far from being a one-off event, it forms a core pillar of Pupilar's long-term mission to achieve Zero Youth Unemployment that fosters an ecosystem where collaboration between government, academia, and industry is not just encouraged, but sustained year after year. Beyond the shortage of available jobs, the core challenge lies in the widening gap between traditional education systems and the skills demanded by today's rapidly evolving job market. Recognizing this gap, and as part of the UAE's broader drive through initiatives like the ambitious D33 agenda to foster innovation and position youth employment as a core economic priority, platforms like NextGen Career Fest play a vital role in translating vision into action. Driven by Pupilar in partnership with in5 as Talent Empowerment Sponsor, NextGen serves as the foundation of a larger movement to build a Global Talent Hub, unifying the UAE's youth talent ecosystem and bridging students, jobseekers, and industries across all sectors under one future-forward platform. A Persistent Disconnect While events like NextGen Career Fest provide an important platform to bridge the gap between talent and industry, addressing youth employment challenges requires sustained, structural shifts. Employers continue to report mismatches between applicant skills and job requirements, and many graduates still lack practical experience to compete in a market increasingly shaped by digital transformation and AI-related skills. NextGen is helping spark this change by driving stronger connections and preparing youth to meet evolving industry expectations. According to Pupilar's co-founders, 'when youth are given the platform to rise, the future changes for all of us. NextGen is where dreams start but more importantly, it?s where they get built. We began this journey from our own struggle, two young women trying to be seen, trying to matter. Today, with the UAE?s largest youth career community, we're here to bridge the gap. Because the future doesn?t belong to one generation it lies in the space between the young and the experienced. And it 's time we stop treating youth employment as charity. It 's not a CSR move. It's a business strategy. To stay relevant, to innovate, to grow — we must invest in youth not just emotionally, but strategically,' said Aqsa Khalifa and Maimuna Rashid in a joint statement. A Glimpse Into the Future Over the past 2–3 years, many Pupilar community members have experienced transformative growth from uncertain students to confident professionals shaping their industries. Some have gained the voice to lead teams and speak on stages. The most fulfilling milestone: several early members, once jobseekers, now return as employers — hiring the next generation at NextGen Career Fest. NextGen isn't a one-off, it's a growing blueprint to tackle youth career challenges across the region. Each edition builds on the last, driving real-world impact in hiring, upskilling, and access. As we look to 2026, Pupilar invites; sponsors, partners, educators, and employers to co-build the next edition with us and help propel the future of youth leadership.


Gulf Business
8 hours ago
- Gulf Business
Dubai: DET briefing highlights growth, new campaigns and community initiatives
Image: Dubai Media Office The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism ( The event, held at the Coca-Cola Arena, forms part of DET's bi-annual platform to align public and private sector efforts to sustain the city's tourism momentum. Reflecting the UAE's Year of Community theme, the briefing underlined the role of collaboration in achieving Dubai's tourism growth. Stakeholders shared insights to support DET's strategic roadmap, with the goal of reinforcing Dubai's global appeal as both a leisure and business destination. Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of DET, led the session, which provided updates on Dubai's tourism performance, upcoming campaigns and citywide initiatives aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. Tourism milestones Dubai welcomed 7.15 million international overnight visitors from January to April 2025, a 7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. The city received 18.72 million visitors last year, marking a second consecutive year of record tourism performance. Dubai's hotel sector reported 153,534 available rooms by end-April, with all key performance metrics posting year-on-year gains. 'The exceptional results achieved by the industry so far in 2025 is a testament to the resilience and steadfast support of our stakeholders and partners,' said Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM). 'It is by coming together as a community that we have been able to navigate challenges, create compelling narratives about the city, and drive global trends.' Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said the city's year-round events continue to serve as key economic drivers, attracting visitors and supporting sectors such as retail and hospitality. 'These world-class experiences are vital to nurturing the pillars of our economy and are a reflection of Dubai's bold vision and global ambition,' he said. Read: DET: New initiatives and campaigns The event highlighted Dubai's designation as the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere. In partnership with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), DET has trained more than 70,000 individuals through the Dubai College of Tourism, while over 300 hotels have taken steps to enhance accessibility for neurodivergent visitors. Also spotlighted was the 'MyDubai Communities' platform, launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in April. The digital initiative aims to strengthen social cohesion by connecting residents through more than 100 interest-based groups. DET's new summer campaign, 'Dubai. That's How You Summer' , was unveiled during the briefing, positioning the city as a vibrant seasonal destination. Another campaign, 'Find Your Story' , launched earlier this year and features Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi exploring Dubai's blend of desert adventure and futuristic architecture. Culinary growth and events calendar Dubai's food scene continues to be a tourism growth engine. The 2025 MICHELIN Guide Dubai, published in May, included 119 restaurants across 35 cuisines – a 12.3 per cent increase from 2024 – and featured the city's first three-starred restaurants: FZN by Björn Frantzén and Trèsind Studio. Looking ahead, the return of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) was confirmed for June 27 to August 31. Structured into three phases – Summer Holiday Offers, The Great Summer Sale, and Back to School – DSS is expected to drive retail engagement and footfall throughout the summer. Dubai's retail calendar will also include Dubai Home Festival, Dubai Fitness Challenge and Dubai Shopping Festival in the latter half of the year, alongside a growing line-up of international business events. The City Briefing concluded with a call for continued stakeholder engagement to sustain Dubai's momentum as a leading global tourism and business hub.


Gulf Today
13 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Dubai to reinforce collaborative approach to its tourism growth
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) hosted its first City Briefing of 2025, a key bi-annual stakeholder engagement platform that further reinforces Dubai's collaborative approach to tourism growth. Held at the Coca-Cola Arena, the briefing brought together more than 1,300 industry leaders and professionals from across the hospitality, aviation, retail and F&B sectors, along with representatives from government entities. Reflecting the UAE Year of Community's focus on building a connected society grounded in belonging and shared purpose, the briefing highlighted the critical role that partners across the public and private sectors are playing in Dubai's continued tourism performance. The event was more interactive than ever, with stakeholders providing insights and expertise that is poised to feed into DET's strategy and initiatives going forward, and further elevate the city's appeal to global leisure and business audiences. In the presence of Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of DET, the latest edition provided a comprehensive update on the city's tourism performance, campaigns, festivals and events, and strategic priorities for the year ahead. Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said, 'Building on yet another record-breaking performance in 2024, the exceptional results achieved by the industry so far in 2025 is a testament to the resilience and steadfast support of our stakeholders and partners.' He added, 'In advancing the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, our focus remains on strengthening the spirit of partnerships, embracing innovation, and creating future-ready experiences that enhance Dubai's position as the world's best city to visit, live and work in. 'As we look ahead to the second half of this year and beyond, we will harness the key elements that have driven the industry's steady growth - a robust and diversified market strategy, a solid collaboration model between the government and private sectors, and global campaigns showcasing the ever-evolving diverse destination offering.' Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said, 'Dubai's vibrant calendar of festivals and events reflects our city's bold vision and boundless ambition - a testament to our commitment to innovation, excellence, and global leadership. These world-class experiences are not only a key driver of visitation but also vital to nurturing the pillars of our economy, from retail and hospitality to aviation and business events.' Key industry updates included Dubai welcoming 7.15 million international overnight visitors between January and April 2025, a 7 per cent YoY increase. This builds on the 18.72 million people who visited in 2024, the second consecutive year of record-setting growth for the city. The event highlighted key initiatives that reinforce Dubai's contribution to community, accessibility and sustainability. Central to these efforts is the city's achievement in becoming the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere. Under DET's leadership, in collaboration with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), the initiative has already trained more than 70,000 individuals through the Dubai College of Tourism's autism and sensory awareness course. Meanwhile, over 300 hotels have actively engaged in the certification process to deliver accessible experiences to all visitors. Another significant project that was highlighted at the event was the launch of the 'MyDubai Communities' digital platform in April. It is designed to strengthen community bonds and promote the values of tolerance and coexistence, offering access to more than 100 interest-based communities. During the City Briefing, the new 'Dubai. That's How You Summer' campaign was presented, promoted across various media channels and told through the stories of a wide range of advocates. The campaign positions Dubai as a must-visit summer destination. Another major global campaign launched by DET in 2025 was 'Find Your Story', starring Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi. In the captivating brand film, the story reveals the exciting adventures that travellers can enjoy in the city, even during a brief stopover, and highlights Dubai's desert landscapes and futuristic architecture. The return of Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) - the city's much-anticipated summer festival - was announced at the briefing. Taking place from 27th June to 31st August 2025, DSS will deliver a vibrant calendar of sales, prize draws, entertainment and cultural experiences for residents and visitors of all ages. This year's DSS will also be structured into three retail periods - Summer Holiday Offers, The Great Summer Sale, and Back to School - to drive consumer engagement and maintain momentum. WAM