Dubai’s Red Carpet project honoured at Dubai-it Awards for transforming travel

Leadership Vision Behind the Initiative

Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai), said the award reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to convert ambitious concepts into practical programmes that enhance people’s lives.

The win was announced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

Al Marri noted that the recognition reinforces Dubai’s approach to public administration, which goes beyond merely adapting to change and instead drives transformation, boosts operational efficiency and strengthens the emirate’s international reputation.

“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has established a distinctive philosophy of government work, founded on the belief that ambition knows no limits and that the true value of ideas lies in their ability to become tangible achievements that make a difference in people’s lives,” Al Marri stated.

He added that the Dubai-it initiative embodies this philosophy by prompting government bodies to rapidly implement ideas, enhance efficiency and convert obstacles into opportunities. The guidance of Sheikh Hamdan further demonstrates the leadership’s dedication to motivating government teams to create transformative projects that defy conventional norms.

How the Red Carpet Project Works

Al Marri explained that the Red Carpet project illustrates GDRFA Dubai’s dedication to redefining the travel experience at Dubai Airports through the deployment of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, while simultaneously crafting more efficient and flexible operational models.

The project aims to cut processing times, streamline procedures and deliver a more seamless service for travellers, placing their requirements at the core of service development.

He said the award will inspire GDRFA Dubai to persist in turning the leadership’s vision into forward-looking government projects that anticipate future needs and elevate quality of life.

“True excellence is measured not only by what we achieve today, but also by our ability to develop innovative solutions that anticipate future needs and enhance people’s quality of life,” Al Marri remarked.

Commitment to Future Innovation

Al Marri attributed the achievement to Dubai’s government environment, which fosters innovation through collaboration among government entities and strategic partners, investment in national talent and the empowerment of teams to turn ideas into projects with lasting impact.

He stated that GDRFA Dubai’s ambitions go beyond improving existing services to actively shaping their future through proactive solutions and innovative operational models.

These efforts, he noted, bolster Dubai’s competitiveness and reinforce its status as a top global destination for travel and government services.

Al Marri stressed that winning the award marks the start of greater responsibility rather than the conclusion of the project’s development journey.

He commended the dedication of GDRFA Dubai’s teams and strategic partners, whose contributions made the achievement possible, and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to collaborative work on future initiatives.

“Winning this award is not the end of a development journey, but the beginning of a greater responsibility to continue raising our ambitions and building on our achievements,” he said.

He added that Dubai will continue translating its leadership’s vision into tangible results, pursuing innovation and actively shaping the future of government services.