New Delhi: Dubai’s Burj Khalifa has now allowed Indians to pay using UPI to visit the world’s tallest building. Visitors can book the ‘At the Top’ tickets from the official website of Burj Khalifa before even arriving in the UAE.
The Unified Payments Interface was added to the payment options following a partnership between UAE-based payments company Neopay, Emaar Entertainment, and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Burj Khalifa has now become the first attraction in Dubai to accept UPI payments, according to Khaleej Times.
The ‘At the Top’ tickets offer visitors scenic views of the city from Burj Khalifa’s multiple observation decks. Visitors can choose to visit different floors after booking their tickets online in advance.
The ticket to floors 124 and 125 cost Rs 4,243 per person while visiting At the Top SKY (floor 148) costs Rs 10,393, which also includes snacks and drinks.
By spending Rs 10,000 more, visitors get access to all levels, including the 154th floor, along with entry to the world’s highest lounge and outdoor terrace.
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Boosting tourism
The acceptance of UPI for Burj Khalifa tickets marks the expansion of the payment system in the UAE, which has allowed QR code-based UPI payments for e-commerce transactions in the country since 2022.
“The launch of UPI acceptance for online bookings at ‘At the Top, Burj Khalifa’ represents a landmark moment. By bringing one of India’s most trusted payment platforms to one of the world’s most iconic destinations, we are making it easier for millions of Indian visitors to engage with the UAE’s tourism and attractions sector,” Vibhor Mundhada, CEO of Neopay, was quoted as saying by Khaleej Times.
Besides the UAE, UPI is functional in several countries, including Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bhutan, Mauritius, Qatar, France, and Nepal.
Last week, the UAE launched the Dubai Invite scheme, rewarding residents who invite their families and friends to visit the city. According to Visit Dubai’s website, those eligible can get benefits worth over 3,000 UAE dirham, including discounts of up to 45 per cent on hotel stays and “competitive privileges at some of the city’s popular attractions, including Aquaventure Waterpark, IMG Worlds of Adventure, and Grand Hyatt Waterpark, as well as at F&B outlets”.
Launched by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the scheme is live until 31 October.