Hotels across Abu Dhabi are set to introduce facial recognition technology as part of a new initiative to enhance guest safety and streamline operations. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) confirmed that the system will first be implemented in five-star hotels across Abu Dhabi city, the Al Ain Region, and the Al Dhafra Region, before expanding to four-star hotels and eventually all hotel categories.
The project, overseen by the Licensing & Regulatory Compliance Department of DCT Abu Dhabi, supports the emirate’s long-standing reputation for safety, having been named the world’s safest city in Numbeo’s Safety Index for nine consecutive years.
The system, developed in cooperation with the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP), will:
- Capture and analyse biometric data during guest check-in.
- Securely encrypt the data, retrieving it from ICP records and storing it in a centralised database managed by DCT Abu Dhabi.
- Use the data solely to enhance guest safety and simplify hotel operations, with a strict commitment to legal and ethical standards.
The facial recognition feature is currently in its pilot phase at a few select hotels. Once fully deployed, guests can expect significantly faster check-in times and a seamless verification process, adding a new layer of security without the need for additional documents at the desk.
This initiative marks the first government-led rollout of facial recognition technology in hotels in Abu Dhabi, showcasing the emirate’s push to blend innovation with hospitality.
