Abu Dhabi hotels test checking in guests with facial recognition
The system, unveiled this week during Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market conference, is in a pilot phase, with a roll-out planned to all five-star hotels
ANDREW HOLBROOKE/Corbis via Getty Images
The Emirates Palace Hotel on Abu Dhabi's Corniche
Abu Dhabi is testing a facial recognition system to verify guests and speed up the check-in process at hotels across the emirate.
The system, unveiled this week during Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market conference, is now in its pilot phase at a handful of hotels.
If the test goes well, it will be rolled out to all five-star hotels in Abu Dhabi city and the Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions, with four-star establishments targeted for a future date.
The project, led by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security, is a part of the UAE’s wider push to use technology to boost government efficiency and improve customer service.
Through some are opposed to use of facial recognition on privacy grounds, travelers to the emirates are already familiar with biometric systems, which are widely used in the UAE’s airports.
Upgrades to Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport are eventually expected to eliminate the need for travel documents altogether.