Dubai Boosts Digital Economy with New Initiatives for Tourists
Dubai is boosting its digital economy with new initiatives aimed at tourists. Emirates and flydubai have teamed up with the Department of Finance to promote digital payments among international visitors, supporting the city's goal to become a global leader in cashless transactions.
The partnerships encourage tourists to use secure digital payments from the moment they book their tickets until their stay ends. The collaborations focus on contactless payments and other digital tools during travel. More than 90% of all payments across government and private sectors are expected to be fully digital by the end of 2026.
To achieve this, the partners will share best practices, explore new incentives, and run workshops to promote digital payment use. More payment options will be offered through Emirates and flydubai's websites and apps. Emirates already supports 14 online payment gateways and operates a fully digital loyalty program, Skywards. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) plays a role in health-related matters, while organizations like Ant International and Alipay+ facilitate global digital transactions, enhancing cross-border payments through partnerships with financial institutions.
The Dubai Cashless Strategy aims to generate over AED 8 billion annually by improving payment efficiency, convenience, and transparency. These efforts support Dubai's ambition to become one of the world's leading digital economies and simplify life for visitors. Joint awareness campaigns will help tourists understand and use cashless services across the city.
