Dubai Tourism Leader Pushes for Crypto in Hotel Sector

According to its tourism boss, Dubai is in a good position to lead the way in allowing cryptocurrency purchases at its hotels and other tourist destinations to draw in more foreign tourists.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, told The National that the move would be a “great” opportunity for the travel and tourism industry if it is properly regulated, particularly since Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority already has frameworks in place for cryptocurrencies.

At the Arabian Travel Market event, he declared, “We should be leading the way on this if there is any place that should be doing so.”

When it comes to being creative and forward-thinking, we prefer to investigate every realistic prospect rather than turn it down. We may meet with specialists in Dubai to discuss the advantages and disadvantages, as well as how to launch it and minimize any possible hazards.

As more tourists and companies use cryptocurrencies to pay for their trips, Dubai is willing to make it easier for people to utilize them.

“I’d prefer to remove barriers if it could be a potential limiting factor to some,” Mr. Kazim stated.

“If all the boxes are checked, we’ll make sure that we’re minimizing every risk and closely examining it, but with an open mind and readiness to adjust and accept it.”

Digital currency payments are already accepted at a few hotels in Dubai. Room stays, meals, spa treatments, meetings, and events can now be paid for with cryptocurrencies like BNB, Bitcoin, and Ethereum thanks to a partnership with Binance. Likewise, Binance has launched a crypto-to-crypto payment gateway at the Manor by JA in Al Furjan.

Growth in international visitors

As it steps up its international marketing efforts to promote the emirate, Dubai hopes to surpass last year’s annual foreign visitor figures by 3%, Mr. Kazim stated. In 2024, it brought in 18.7 million foreign visitors, an increase of 9% every year.

“Keeping up with the growth we saw in Q1 would be a good, safe assessment, and that would be a comfortable, realistic target to push towards,” Mr. Kazim stated.

According to government figures, Dubai saw a 3% yearly rise in foreign visitors to reach 5.31 million in the first three months of 2025. With 1.15 million visitors, Western Europe accounted for 22% of its total share, making it its largest source market.

Dubai, the location of the busiest international airport in the world and home to the long-haul behemoth Emirates airline, is also moving away from being a destination for single visits and transfers.

By offering a five-year multi-entry tourist visa, doubling hotel beds during the past ten years, and increasing airline capacity, the emirate hopes to draw in more return tourists.

According to Mr. Kazim, 25% of all visitors at the moment are from other countries, and that percentage is predicted to stay at that level through 2025.

“We want to make them Dubai residents so they can work, live, and retire here,” he stated.