HOW TECHNOLOGY IS REVOLUTIONISING UAE HOSPITALITY

The challenge in a sector like hospitality will be to balance automation with the human touch

- BY CHRIS REDMOND | Special to Gulf News

Walk into any of the UAE's luxury hotels or modern resorts today and you'll quickly notice a quiet revolution underway. one of algorithms, automation, and AI. In the UAE, hospitality isn't just about comfort and convenience anymore. Just like so many other sectors, it's become about creating a seamless, tech-enabled experience that begins long before check-in and often extends well beyond checkout. The UAE is one of the most vibrant regions when it comes to surfacing and implementing tech as part of the signature of great experience in the hospitality sector.

The UAE's hospitality industry is undergoing a digital transformation at a pace rarely matched elsewhere in the world. With a tourism sector contributing over Dh180 billion to GDP and ambitions to attract 40 million hotel guests annually by 2031. Nowhere is this more evident than in Dubai, where hotels are using technology not just to streamline operations but to redefine the guest experience. At Atlantis The Royal, for instance, the concept of luxury is powered by technology: guests can control lighting, temperature, and even room service preferences via voice or mobile app, powered by integrated smart-room systems. The hotel's Al concierge system tailors services to each guest's preferences, drawing on data from previous visits to offer suggestions and preempt needs.

FROM TOUCHPOINTS TO TECHPOINTS