The General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai, known as “Dubai Residency,” has actively participated in the World Travel Summit 2026, organised by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The event took place from October 28 to 29 in Macao, China, and engaged representatives from governments, airlines, and key stakeholders in the travel and aviation sectors from around the globe. This participation underscores Dubai’s commitment to enhancing its presence on international platforms, exchanging expertise and best practices, and contributing to the development of a more efficient, seamless, and secure global travel system.
Dubai’s Delegation at the Summit
Dubai Residency’s delegation at the summit included several key figures: Major General Talal Ahmad Al Shanaqiti, the Assistant Director-General for Air Ports; Captain Hashim Abdulrazzaq Al Hashemi, the Director of Institutional Operations; and Lieutenant Abdullah Ali Al Kamali, Head of Security Leadership and Proactive Operations at the Smart Control Centre.
Engaging in Collaborative Discussions
On the sidelines of the summit, the delegation participated in the regular meeting of the Control Authorities Working Group (CAWG). This group comprises representatives from government entities, airlines, and authorities responsible for travel and border procedures. During this meeting, members addressed the major challenges facing international travel and discussed ways to enhance procedures and improve integration among the involved entities. They also reviewed working papers and recommendations submitted to the IATA, with the aim of improving passengers’ experiences and increasing the efficiency of the global travel system.
Showcasing Innovative Practices
Throughout its participation, the Dubai Residency delegation highlighted its innovative practices and experiences in areas such as digital transformation, streamlining travel processes, and employing digital technologies for passenger movement management. This showcases the significant progress made by Dubai in providing efficient, proactive, and integrated services that balance operational effectiveness with security and ease of procedures.
Strengthening Global Partnerships
Major General Talal Ahmad Al Shanaqiti affirmed that Dubai Residency’s involvement in this international summit reflects its commitment to being an active partner in shaping the future of travel. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange with international entities. “Our experience in developing travel procedures has become an advanced model that leverages innovation and technology to serve travellers,” he stated.
He added, “Our participation in these international platforms goes beyond exchanging experiences; we actively seek to formulate practical solutions to the common challenges faced by the global travel sector, stemming from our advancements in developing a digital and integrated system for managing passenger movement. We believe the future of travel lies in the integration between government entities, airlines, and international partners, adopting innovative solutions that achieve a balance among border security, swift procedures, and quality traveller experiences.”
Furthermore, he stated, “At Dubai Residency, we are keen on sharing the best practices and solutions developed by our teams and learning from international experiences to continuously enhance our services. This effort reinforces Dubai’s stature as a leading global hub for facilitating travel and mobility, realising our vision of delivering an exceptional travel experience that exceeds passengers’ expectations.”