UAE – Mubasher: H2O Hospitality, a South Korean digitalization company in the accommodation and leisure industry, has inaugurated its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi through a collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
The solutions offered by the South Korean company are set to bolster Abu Dhabi's tourism sector by providing digital solutions for hotels, including automation of front and back-end processes, enabling paperless and contactless procedures to enhance efficiency and profitability, according to a press release.
Additionally, the solutions promise to enhance guest experiences with features such as mobile-based booking, check-in, smart locks, in-room services, and payments.
ADIO provided H2O with comprehensive support for growth, including financial incentives, setup facilitation, and connections to Abu Dhabi's ecosystem and international trade opportunities.
H2O's new headquarters in Abu Dhabi's Global Market (ADGM) marks the next phase of its international expansion, aiming to replicate its success in Asia and capitalize on opportunities in the MENA hospitality market.
This strategic move underscores the deepening economic ties between South Korea and Abu Dhabi, increasingly focused on innovation and technology synergies.
Badr Al Olama, Director General of ADIO, remarked, "Abu Dhabi and South Korea share similar visions for digital transformation and are globally recognized for their innovative approaches. Abu Dhabi’s diverse investment climate and enabling ecosystem make it the ideal choice for innovative companies like H2O Hospitality to pursue their growth ambitions."
John Lee, Founder and CEO of H2O, stated, "Digital transformation is crucial for the hospitality industry. H2O is committed to leveraging its technologies and expertise to support Abu Dhabi's tourism sector by expanding its business operations with ADIO's support."
The regional tourism market is poised for continued growth, with projected passenger volumes fully recovering in 2024, reaching an estimated 400 million travellers.
In the UAE, hotels generated revenues exceeding AED 12.20 billion in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023, with over 7.20 million guests visiting the country, while hotel room rates in Abu Dhabi are also forecast to increase by 7.10% in 2024.
ADIO established an office in Seoul in 2021 to forge new relationships with South Korean companies. H2O joins a cohort of key players that have partnered with ADIO to establish operations in Abu Dhabi, including Bespin Global, the Korean Best Team for Smart Farm Consortium (K-BTS Consortium), and Neoply.
