TravelPayments – UPI Online Booking Option Introduced for Burj Khalifa Visitors
TravelPayments – Indian travellers planning a visit to Dubai can now reserve tickets for At the Top, Burj Khalifa using the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) through the attraction’s official website. The new feature makes the world-famous landmark the first attraction in the United Arab Emirates to support UPI for online e-commerce transactions, according to an announcement made by NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) on Wednesday.
Partnership Expands Digital Payment Access
NIPL, the global arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), introduced the online payment facility in collaboration with NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment. The partnership allows Indian users to complete ticket purchases using their preferred UPI-enabled mobile payment applications before leaving India for the UAE.
The latest development represents another step in the ongoing collaboration between NIPL and NEOPAY, aimed at improving payment accessibility for Indian visitors travelling overseas.
Online Bookings Now Added to Existing UPI Services
UPI payments have already been available at physical merchant locations across NEOPAY’s network in the UAE since QR code-based merchant payments were launched in 2022. With the latest expansion, Indian travellers can now complete their bookings online instead of waiting until they arrive in the country, making travel planning more convenient.
The addition of online transactions broadens the reach of India’s digital payment platform and offers users a familiar payment method while preparing for international trips.
Focus on Seamless Travel Experience
According to NIPL, the initiative reflects the increasing preference among Indian travellers for payment systems that are easy to use and widely trusted, even when travelling abroad. By enabling UPI for online bookings, the organisation aims to simplify international travel planning while strengthening digital payment connectivity between India and the UAE.
The company also noted that the move responds to the growing demand for secure and convenient cross-border digital payment solutions, supporting smoother travel experiences for Indian tourists.
Industry Leaders Welcome the Initiative
Vibhor Mundhada, Chief Executive Officer of NEOPAY, described the rollout as an important achievement in advancing digital commerce between India and the UAE. He said the company has become the first organisation in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region to facilitate UPI acceptance for e-commerce transactions, highlighting the growing role of digital payment innovation in international markets.
The integration is expected to encourage wider adoption of UPI beyond domestic usage by allowing Indian consumers to continue using familiar payment methods while travelling overseas.
Benefit for Indian Visitors to Burj Khalifa
Emaar Entertainment also welcomed the introduction of UPI for online bookings, stating that the payment option is expected to make the reservation process quicker and more convenient for Indian guests. The company pointed out that visitors from India represent one of the largest international groups visiting At the Top, Burj Khalifa each year.
By enabling advance online payments through UPI, Indian tourists can complete ticket reservations before departure, reducing payment-related challenges during their visit. The initiative also reflects the growing collaboration between India and the UAE in digital financial services, with both countries continuing to expand cross-border payment capabilities for consumers.
As international travel continues to recover, the addition of UPI to online booking services at one of Dubai’s most recognised attractions is expected to provide Indian travellers with a smoother and more familiar digital payment experience while strengthening financial connectivity between the two nations.