96% of Hotel Owners Invest in Modern Innovations
62% Anticipate the Dominance of Contactless Experiences by 2025
73% of Guests Prefer Self-Service Options to Minimize Human Interaction
The UAE is increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Wi-Fi 7 technology to attract high-value tourists, as reported by Forbes Middle East.
A report by Oracle and Skift, titled “Hospitality in 2025: Smarter and More Personalized,” predicts a surge in contactless technology that is currently transforming the global hospitality sector.
According to the report, 73% of guests prefer self-service options to reduce human interaction, while 96% of hotel owners are investing in these innovations, with 62% expecting contactless experiences to become prevalent this year.
In just a few years, this forecast has become a reality, as the UAE is now increasingly utilizing AI, IoT, and Wi-Fi 7 technologies to lure high-value tourists to its luxury hotels, amusement parks, and wellness resorts.
These initiatives align with the UAE’s broader strategy to diversify its economy away from oil and establish itself as a global tourism hub.
Column Agrawal, a principal applied scientist at Amazon, stated, “In markets like the UAE, where there is a strong desire for luxury and a quest for innovative and unique experiences, the latest AI and IoT sensing technologies can truly reshape the hospitality industry.”
In April 2025, the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi launched a facial recognition system for hotels, starting with five-star establishments, to streamline check-in procedures and enhance security.
This initiative is the first of its kind supported by the government, aimed at implementing facial recognition technology in collaboration with hotels.
The system uses encrypted biometric data in compliance with the UAE’s cybersecurity laws.
Salah Mohammed Al Geziry, the Director General of Tourism at the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi, remarked, “This initiative reflects our commitment to utilizing innovation to enhance guest experiences while maintaining the highest safety and security standards for both guests and hospitality staff.”
The Jumeirah Group in Dubai has integrated AI and IoT to elevate relaxation, enhancing guest experiences.
In November 2024, Jumeirah Al Qasr introduced “Hapbee’s Smart Sleep Pads” and “Mattress Toppers” in collaboration with Hapbee Technologies to promote relaxation through a unique digital sleep and spa program.
The “Sleep Concierge” initiative is set to expand across selected Jumeirah hotels worldwide by 2025, utilizing patented “Hapbee” technology to digitally transmit biological compounds like caffeine and melatonin, promoting relaxation, sleep, and well-being without ingestion.
In June 2025, RUCKUS Networks by CommScope announced AI-powered Wi-Fi 7 solutions for hotels in the UAE, targeting luxury, mid-range, and economy hotels.
The RUCKUS H670 device features Wi-Fi 7 with dual radios for IoT, supporting smart locks and sensors in luxury hotels, enabling high-density broadcasting and IoT integration.
Data transfer rates are doubled compared to previous technologies. The system also offers an automated guest check-in process and AI-supported control panels.
UAE hotels are embracing IoT to provide smart home technologies, allowing guests to control rooms via smartphones or voice commands.
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TRA) in the UAE enforces IoT policies requiring providers to register and secure guest data, especially for cross-border transfers.
Adhering to these policies ensures trust in smart hospitality systems while supporting the UAE’s cybersecurity standards.
Agrawal added, “In a country like the UAE, where privacy is highly valued, personalization must be delivered without relying on intrusive cameras and through the use of invisible wireless sensing technologies.”
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