After successfully hosting top blockchain stakeholders in this year’s World Blockchain Forum (WBF) held on 16th and 17th of April Jumeirah Mina A’Salam in UAE’s largest city, the Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has launched Tourism 2.0, a blockchain-enabled marketplace.

The main goal of the DTCM is to establish Dubai as the leading destination for global travel, business, and events by 2020 in line with its Dubai 10X initiative. To achieve this lofty goal, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council has approved twenty-six projects presented by 24 different government departments.

Dubai has made substantial progress in blockchain application and other innovative technologies in line with its Dubai 10x Initiative that seeks to keep the city 10 years ahead of others in terms of technology. They have already started the processes of registering passports, lands, and vehicles on the blockchain. Late last year, Dubai entered an agreement with Avanza Solutions to provide a citywide payment system based on the Blockchain Technology.

Blockchain Technology to Power Dubai’s Tourism Strategy

The publication in Dubai’s Media Office website details that the DTCM would connect potential buyers directly to hotels and tour operators for flexibility and ease. Furthermore, implementing the use of blockchain and other emerging technology would prepare the UAE government to prepare for the challenges of the future and also improve the nation’s economy.

Dubai hopes to receive up to 20 million tourists annually by the year 2020 in line with the Dubai Tourism Vision 2020 strategy and the Tourism 2.0 framework is key to this.

While speaking on the plan, the Director General of DTCM, His Excellency Dr. Helal Saeed Al Marri noted that, “By increasing the pace of digital transformation in the travel sector, Dubai Is positioned to expand tourism by bringing innovative start-ups into the ecosystem, which will ultimately deliver value in terms of higher and faster visitor conversion, and greater GDP impact.” He further added that Dubai can streamline booking and create democracy in travel by pioneering a transparent visualization technology.