Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Airlines and Group, recently met with Suzanne Krier, Head of Global Markets at PayPal, at the Emirates Group headquarters in Dubai. The discussions focused on enhancing the long-standing relationship between the two entities, which has spanned over 15 years, and explored opportunities for cooperation in the rapidly evolving digital payments landscape.
Currently, Emirates Airlines offers the option to pay via PayPal in 34 countries, and last year, the airline witnessed a significant increase in the usage of PayPal, both in terms of user numbers and transaction volumes. This surge is indicative of the growing preference for digital payment solutions among travelers.
In line with this trend, PayPal recently opened its first regional technology center in Dubai, aimed at serving the Middle East and Africa. The center's mission is to support entrepreneurs and emerging businesses in these regions, enhancing their trade capabilities and enabling them to expand into global markets. As Dubai transforms into a global hub for financial technology, it benefits from its strategic location, supportive business policies, and advanced financial infrastructure.
Moreover, the demand for travel and tourism technology solutions in the UAE has doubled due to the sector's digital transformation. Experts at the Arab Travel Market 2025 in Dubai highlighted that airlines, tourism companies, and hotels are increasingly adopting digital solutions, particularly those based on artificial intelligence, to analyze customer data and better understand traveler preferences.
Mamoun Hamidan, CEO of the travel application WeGo, stated, "The culture of electronic bookings for travel and tourism is spreading strongly in the UAE, year after year, due to the ease and speed of completing transactions anytime and anywhere, alongside savings on prices and services that can reach up to 90% at times." He emphasized that the UAE residents are among the most aware of searching for tourist destinations and planning travel through the internet and mobile devices, thanks to the country's high smartphone penetration and diverse population.
WeGo's data for 2025 indicates a 30% increase in search and booking volumes compared to the previous year, with strong growth recorded in Gulf markets. This growth is attributed to the increasing reliance on digital solutions, the ease of price comparison online, and the rising awareness among young travelers about the importance of smart travel.
During the first quarter of 2025, Dubai welcomed a total of 5.31 million international tourists, achieving a robust annual growth rate of 3%. This growth underscores the resilience and expansion of the city's tourism sector, reinforcing Dubai's status as a leading global destination.
In response to the challenges faced in the travel sector, Armin Moradi, CEO and co-founder of Kashio, announced the launch of a new platform in collaboration with Visa to facilitate and secure travel payments. This platform aims to help companies mitigate operational and financial challenges related to the sector, such as fraud risks and slow payment processing.
Moradi explained that the new platform allows companies to have complete control over their global spending by enabling them to issue instant virtual cards linked to each booking, set spending limits for each card, and access real-time transaction data regardless of the currencies used. This innovation is expected to simplify payment processes for travel agencies while maximizing margins and minimizing booking costs.
Furthermore, Dr. Sean Lochrie, an associate professor at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, highlighted the burgeoning market for artificial intelligence technologies in the tourism sector. He noted that revenues from AI technologies reached $92.4 million in 2024 and are projected to soar to $297.4 million, representing a compound annual growth rate of 21.3% from 2025 to 2030.
According to Lochrie, the travel and tourism sector in the UAE and the broader region is undergoing a significant transformation driven by advanced technology and digital initiatives. It is expected to generate approximately $39.57 billion in revenues in 2025, further enhancing the region's innovation, attractiveness, and sustainability.
As the UAE continues to integrate advanced air mobility into its infrastructure, the country is mapping out air corridors for air taxis and drones, aiming to launch these services by 2026. This forward-thinking approach not only showcases the UAE's commitment to innovation but also positions it as a leader in the global travel and tourism technology landscape.
