Abu Dhabi is stepping into the future of hospitality with the launch of a Facial Recognition System for hotel check-in, which was revealed recently at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025.

Currently in its pilot phase, the system will debut in five-star hotels across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra, with plans to expand to four-star hotels in the second phase, and eventually across all hotel categories in the emirate.

The initiative is a joint effort between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP). It reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to digital transformation in tourism and aims to enhance visitor convenience and security.

How the System Works

Guests checking into participating hotels will use facial recognition technology that captures and analyses biometric data. The system securely matches this data with information stored by ICP, verifying identities in real-time while ensuring compliance with UAE cybersecurity and data privacy laws.

“Our goal is to offer a safer and more connected journey for every visitor,” said Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director-General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi.

The authority will support hotels with technical setup, training, and ongoing guidance as the system rolls out.