Hotel

Contactless Check-in Era Begins at Dubai Hotels

With the smart tourism development to be implemented in Dubai, guests will enjoy a seamless and convenient experience by skipping reception check-in procedures with a one-time upload of identity and biometric data. The securely stored data will remain valid until the identity expires, thus further improving the guest experience for subsequent stays with fast check-in.

It was published

1 months ago

December 10 2025

Zafercan Çapar

Contactless Check-in Era Begins at Dubai Hotels | HORECA TREND

DubaiThe hotel announced it has implemented a citywide, one-time, contactless hotel check-in solution. This initiative sets a new global standard in the hospitality industry for guest comfort, security, and innovation, offering hotels and vacation homes that utilize the system the option to skip physical check-in procedures.

Developed by Visit Dubai and offered in partnership with independent companies, this pioneering biometric and digital technology is now ready to be integrated into hotels and vacation homes across Dubai. The system speeds up the arrival process, ensuring a seamless check-in experience for guests. This application reinforces Dubai's vision of becoming a forward-looking global tourism destination that prioritizes both guest satisfaction and operational excellence, thanks to its technology-driven approach.

This innovative system allows guests to complete all check-in procedures directly from their mobile phones before arriving at the hotel. The process is significantly accelerated by a one-time upload of identity and biometric data, minimizing traditional check-in times. Guests can completely skip the check-in process upon arrival. The securely stored data remains available until the identity document expires, allowing for quick verification such as facial recognition on subsequent visits. With approximately a quarter of annual visitors to Dubai being repeat visitors, this service aims to further enhance the guest experience and reinforce their loyalty to the destination.

Issam Kazim, CEO of Visit Dubai, the Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing Authority under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, stated: “The implementation of this guest-centric innovation will ensure a productive and enjoyable start to travelers’ holidays by reducing all obstacles from the moment they arrive in the city. It will also make subsequent visits easier for our loyal guests, while allowing hotels in Dubai to focus on more valuable and high-quality interactions with their guests. This technology offers great potential for hotels to further enhance their service levels. We invite more investors and operators to integrate this feature into their systems.”

The solution is designed to easily integrate into existing hotel apps or web platforms. Beyond its immediate benefits, it has significant potential for use in other tourism touchpoints such as car rentals, paving the way for a more integrated and personalized visitor experience across the city. It also complements smart technology applications being rolled out across the destination, such as the smart tunnels at Dubai International Airport that reduce passport control times to seconds.

Dubai’s hospitality sector, with 820 hotels and suites, continues to be a cornerstone of its growth as a global destination. Complementing the city’s other tourist attractions, this sector contributed to 15,70 million international overnight visits and a total of 36,71 million hotel stays across the emirate in the first 10 months of 2025; a 5% increase year-on-year.

Source: HORECA TREND and Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism

Hotel

The iconic Çırağan Palace celebrates its 35th anniversary under Kempinski management.

With its unique location, stunning architecture, rich history, and unparalleled beauty, Çırağan Palace continues to be one of the magnificent structures that have shaped the soul of Istanbul for centuries. Dating back to the 17th century, the venue is celebrating its 35th anniversary under the management of Kempinski, one of Europe's most established luxury hotel groups.

It was published

1 days ago

January 15, 2026

Zafercan Çapar

Iconic Çırağan Palace Celebrates its 35th Anniversary Under Kempinski Management | HORECA TREND

For centuries, Çırağan Palace has been among the magnificent icons of the Istanbul skyline. Today, under Kempinski management, it is not only a strong luxury hotel brand but also a point of reference that enhances Türkiye's representation on the global luxury scene. Since its opening, it has continued to host countless important figures, including royal families, heads of state, and world-renowned artists, while also hosting events that promote the city to the world, international meetings, and distinguished weddings. Guests from all over the world discover the Çırağan Palace experience. Combining Kempinski's tradition of hospitality with Ottoman palace culture, the hotel continues to be one of the ambassadors of Turkish hospitality to the world.

35th Anniversary Special Accommodation Experience

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is celebrating its 35th year under Kempinski management with a special accommodation privilege for guests who wish to experience the timeless atmosphere of the Palace.

The accommodation package, valid in the Palace Suites and Bosphorus Executive Suite room categories, transforms the experience into elegant moments. To celebrate this significant anniversary, specially prepared 35th-anniversary treats and a special gift greet guests in the suites, crowning the time spent at the Palace with small but unforgettable details. This privileged accommodation experience, accompanying the 35th anniversary of Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, blends the Palace's centuries-old heritage with today's refined luxury, offering guests a timeless Istanbul story.

Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul General Manager and Regional Director of Kempinski Residences Türkiye, Ralph Radtke“For 35 years, Çırağan Palace, under Kempinski management, has blended the splendor of history with modern hospitality. It transforms the stay into a journey integrated with the destination's culture and story. Today, Çırağan Palace Kempinski is a place that keeps Istanbul's cultural memory alive. At the heart of our strategy is the natural and timeless integration of our imperial-rooted historical identity with the expectations of modern luxury. This is not only our brand approach; it is also an important responsibility we carry to strengthen Istanbul's position on the global stage. Thanks to our iconic location and historical heritage, we play an active role in shaping Istanbul's perception as a luxury destination. Additionally, I would like to mention that our recently launched 'Historical Corridor Tours,' where we detail our unique history for our guests, continue to be one of the most special experiences. This visual journey through time, offering an impressive visual memory of the palace's history, creates a living bridge between the hotel and the modern parts of the palace. Hotel guests who wish to discover the history of Çırağan Palace step by step and have an unforgettable experience can embark on this unique tour..." "By tracing the footsteps of the past, we witness the splendor of that era," he says.

Source: HORECA TREND and Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul

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Hotel

Elite World Grand Sapanca Brings Families Together with Nature.

Elite World Grand Sapanca offers fun activities specially designed for children and a peaceful nature getaway for families during the semester break.

It was published

2 days ago

January 15, 2026

Gulse Bozoglan

Elite World Grand Sapanca Brings Families Together with Nature | HORECA TREND

Elite World Grand SapancaElite World Grand Sapanca is preparing to welcome its guests with a jam-packed holiday program during the semester break, where both children can have endless fun and families can relax in peace. Offering a privileged accommodation experience with its perfect location surrounded by nature, Elite World Grand Sapanca transforms the semester break into a pleasant and unforgettable family experience away from the city. Fun activities specially prepared for children and comfortable areas that allow parents to relax make the time spent together as a family even more valuable.

Fun, Discovery, and Creativity for Children

During the semester break, children can spend their time with both fun and educational activities. These activities are available within the hotel premises. Gymboree Kids ClubWith activities that continue until late hours, it welcomes the little ones in a safe and fun environment, while also offering parents the opportunity to take time for themselves. While the children have fun in the programs prepared for them, families have the chance to relax and spend quality time together during the holiday.

Peace, Comfort and Rejuvenation for Families

Families can spend time together on scenic nature trails, while adults Fit Life Spa & WellnessGuests can rejuvenate with the relaxing massage and therapy options offered. Elite World Grand Sapanca provides families with a home-like accommodation experience with its spacious family rooms and suites.

Elite World Grand Sapanca invites families to a holiday experience full of pleasure and comfort in the heart of nature during the mid-term break.

Kaynak: HORECA TREND and Elite World Grand Sapanca

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Hotel

Regnum Hosts World-Famous Football Clubs

Regnum, located on the stunning Belek coastline in Antalya, offering a luxurious atmosphere and beachfront location surrounded by nature, has become the preferred choice of world-renowned football teams for their mid-season training camps. Successful football teams from Germany, Austria, Poland, Russia, Serbia, and Slovakia will be conducting their mid-season preparations at Regnum.

It was published

2 days ago

January 15, 2026

Gulse Bozoglan

Regnum Hosts World-Famous Football Clubs | HORECA TREND

World-renowned football teams have once again chosen Antalya for their mid-season training camps this year. Antalya offers football professionals the opportunity to camp in its favorable climate, combined with a magnificent accommodation experience. RegnumWith two separate football pitches conforming to official FIFA standards, as well as a 320 square meter clubhouse containing changing rooms and equipment rooms, it continues to be a favorite among football teams.

Bundesliga teams Borussia Monchengaldbach and Paderborn, Serbian Super League team Red Star Belgrade, Austrian Bundesliga team Red Bull Salzburg, Ekstraklasa team Gornik Zabrze, Slovak Super League team Slovan Bratislava, and Russian Premier League team Rubin Kazan will all hold their training camps in January at Regnum.

Kaynak: HORECA TREND and Regnum Hotels

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