5 technological innovations in the Middle East tourism sector born from the pandemic
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2025 9:13 am
The pandemic has changed almost every business sector, and society has gone crazy over digital health passports, technologies, and automation. Amid the crisis in the travel industry, competing airlines and airports are offering innovative solutions. Here is a list of technologies that some countries have implemented.
The Middle East region is known for hosting tens of millions of international passengers each year, but according to OAG, regional carriers’ scheduled capacity has fallen by 57% over the past year.
The busiest air hubs in the region are considered to be the airports of Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. However, in 2020, Middle Eastern airlines suffered more than carriers from other regions, losing about 74% of their revenues. The losses amounted to approximately $8 billion.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts a 4.3% increase in passenger numbers per year.
Many Middle Eastern tourist destinations rely heavily on international travel, but due to global restrictions, they have had to rethink their strategies.
Qatar: Health Apps
Qatar Airways has joined the fit to fly system as part of its post-pandemic recovery strategy, aiming to outdo its regional rivals. On January 26, the country’s largest carrier announced that it would become the first airline in the Middle East to use the new IATA Travel Pass Digital Passport mobile app, in partnership with the International Air Transport Association.
. This innovation will allow Qatar Airways to provide passengers with a safer flight. The first phase of testing is planned to begin on the Doha-Istanbul route. The application is a single storage center for electronic nepal number data tests for Covid-19. IATA Digital Passport is not the only such application. Skift previously reported on the launch of CommonPass and other similar platforms.
Abu Dhabi: drones
Abu Dhabi Airports has become one of the first in the region to deploy Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UVGs) in partnership with the United Arab Emirates Strategic Development Fund, Tawazun. The Tawazun Fund, which means stability in Arabic, was established to increase private sector investment in the UAE’s defence, security and aviation sectors through investments and partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises.
It has invested 2.5 billion dirhams ($681 million) in launching a new UGV robot, the CoDi BOT, which was designed and manufactured by one of its affiliates, Marakeb Technologies in the UAE. The UGV passed its first stages of testing in May and is now keeping aircraft cabins clean and sterile. The company prides itself on being a leading technology provider in the region.
Israel: Talk, but don't touch
Many consider Israel to be a startup nation, as it spends nearly 5% of its GDP on research and development, the highest of any country in the world. It’s no surprise that a company like Touchless.ai was born there.
The Middle East region is known for hosting tens of millions of international passengers each year, but according to OAG, regional carriers’ scheduled capacity has fallen by 57% over the past year.
The busiest air hubs in the region are considered to be the airports of Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. However, in 2020, Middle Eastern airlines suffered more than carriers from other regions, losing about 74% of their revenues. The losses amounted to approximately $8 billion.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts a 4.3% increase in passenger numbers per year.
Many Middle Eastern tourist destinations rely heavily on international travel, but due to global restrictions, they have had to rethink their strategies.
Qatar: Health Apps
Qatar Airways has joined the fit to fly system as part of its post-pandemic recovery strategy, aiming to outdo its regional rivals. On January 26, the country’s largest carrier announced that it would become the first airline in the Middle East to use the new IATA Travel Pass Digital Passport mobile app, in partnership with the International Air Transport Association.
. This innovation will allow Qatar Airways to provide passengers with a safer flight. The first phase of testing is planned to begin on the Doha-Istanbul route. The application is a single storage center for electronic nepal number data tests for Covid-19. IATA Digital Passport is not the only such application. Skift previously reported on the launch of CommonPass and other similar platforms.
Abu Dhabi: drones
Abu Dhabi Airports has become one of the first in the region to deploy Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UVGs) in partnership with the United Arab Emirates Strategic Development Fund, Tawazun. The Tawazun Fund, which means stability in Arabic, was established to increase private sector investment in the UAE’s defence, security and aviation sectors through investments and partnerships with small and medium-sized enterprises.
It has invested 2.5 billion dirhams ($681 million) in launching a new UGV robot, the CoDi BOT, which was designed and manufactured by one of its affiliates, Marakeb Technologies in the UAE. The UGV passed its first stages of testing in May and is now keeping aircraft cabins clean and sterile. The company prides itself on being a leading technology provider in the region.
Israel: Talk, but don't touch
Many consider Israel to be a startup nation, as it spends nearly 5% of its GDP on research and development, the highest of any country in the world. It’s no surprise that a company like Touchless.ai was born there.