Dubai introduces contactless hotel check-in

By Alimat Aliyeva

Dubai has announced the launch of a single contactless hotel check-in system, a major innovation aimed at enhancing comfort, safety, and technological convenience in the hospitality industry. Once implemented, guests will have the option to skip the traditional reception desk and complete the check-in process remotely, Azernews reports.

The initiative was reported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The advanced biometric and digital identification system, developed by Visit Dubai, is already available for integration into hotels and serviced apartments across the city. It promises to speed up check-in, making the experience faster, smoother, and more convenient.

Guests can now check in in advance via their mobile phones. By uploading the required documents and completing biometric identification, the traditional check-in process can be significantly shortened or even eliminated. At hotels and apartments using the system, guests can proceed directly to their rooms, bypassing the front desk entirely. All guest data is securely stored and remains valid until the associated identity document expires, allowing repeat visitors to use quick identification methods, such as facial recognition. Considering that nearly 25% of tourists return to Dubai, this system significantly enhances convenience and strengthens visitor loyalty.

The solution is designed for easy integration into existing hotel mobile apps and web platforms. Beyond hotels, the technology has potential applications in other travel services, such as car rentals, creating a more seamless, logical, and personalized travel experience.

This system complements Dubai’s existing smart solutions, including the automated smart tunnels at Dubai International Airport, which have reduced passport control processing times to mere seconds.

The new check-in system could pave the way for a fully “digital city” experience for tourists, where AI-driven services—from hotel stays to transport, dining, and entertainment—are interconnected, making Dubai one of the world’s smartest and most seamless tourist destinations.