Bengaluru, 30 July 2026: NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), today announced the enablement of UPI acceptance for online bookings at At the Top, Burj Khalifa in partnership with NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment. The milestone marks the first UAE attraction to implement UPI for e-commerce transactions, enabling Indian visitors to book experiences at the world’s tallest building through its official website using their preferred payment method.
The development builds on NIPL’s existing partnership with NEOPAY in the UAE. Since the introduction of QR-based UPI merchant payments in the country in 2022, Indian travellers have been able to use UPI-enabled apps for payments across NEOPAY’s merchant network. With the latest integration, this convenience now extends beyond physical store to online bookings, allowing visitors to complete transactions in advance using a familiar and trusted payment method.
At the Top, Burj Khalifa is one of Dubai’s most visited attractions and welcomes travellers from around the world, including a large number from India. Visitors can now use UPI on At the Top, Burj Khalifa’s official website to select experiences and complete payments before arrival, making the travel planning journey simpler and more convenient.
The introduction of UPI for online purchases addresses the growing demand for trusted and convenient cross-border payment experiences. It further strengthens the digital bridge between India and the UAE while helping merchants better serve one of the region’s largest and most digitally engaged visitor segments.
Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NPCI International, said: “Indian travellers are increasingly seeking payment experiences that are simple, familiar and seamless when they travel abroad. By enabling UPI acceptance for online bookings at At the Top, Burj Khalifa, we are making it easier for them to use a payment method they know and trust while planning their visit, even before they arrive in the UAE. Through our partnership with NEOPAY and Emaar Entertainment, we are expanding UPI acceptance in the UAE and bringing greater convenience to Indian travellers visiting one of the world’s most iconic destinations.”
Vibhor Mundhada, CEO of NEOPAY, said “This is more than a payments integration, it is a landmark moment in the evolution of digital commerce between India and the UAE. By enabling UPI acceptance for online bookings at At the Top, Burj Khalifa, we are bringing one of India’s most trusted payment platforms to one of the world’s most iconic destinations. As the first company in the GCC to introduce UPI acceptance for e-commerce transactions, NEOPAY continues to lead payment innovation, helping merchants deliver seamless customer experiences while unlocking access to millions of digitally savvy Indian consumers.”
Official Spokesperson at Emaar Entertainment, said: “At the Top, Burj Khalifa is a global icon that welcomes visitors from across the world, with India representing one of our most important international markets. By introducing UPI as a payment option for online bookings, we are making the customer journey simpler, more intuitive and more convenient for Indian guests from the moment they begin planning their visit. This collaboration reflects Emaar Entertainment’s commitment to delivering world-class experiences powered by innovation and customer-centric digital solutions.”
As digital experiences continue to shape the way people travel, integrations like these make travel planning simpler and more convenient for Indian travellers. They also underline how familiar payment options are becoming an important part of the overall customer experience, not just the final step in a transaction.
About NPCI International:
NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) was incorporated on April 3, 2020, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). As NPCI’s international arm, NIPL is devoted to deploying NPCI’s indigenous, successful real-time payment system—Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and card scheme (RuPay) outside of India. NPCI has successfully developed and proved its products and technological capabilities in the domestic market by transforming the payment segment in India. Currently, there are several countries that seek to establish a real-time payment system or a domestic card scheme. NIPL, with its knowledge and experience, can offer these countries technological assistance through licensing and consulting for building real time payment systems to meet the rapidly evolving needs of fast-growing global businesses. NIPL focuses on transforming payments across the globe through technology and innovation. It will not only enable payments for Indians but also support other countries by enhancing their payment capabilities using technological assistance, consulting, and infrastructure.
For more information visit, www.nipl.com
About NEOPAY
NEOPAY is a UAE-based payments leader enabling secure, seamless and scalable payment solutions for businesses of all sizes across the Middle East. From startups and SMEs to large enterprises and government entities, NEOPAY powers merchant acquiring, omnichannel acceptance, embedded finance and intelligent payment orchestration.
Backed by a strategic consortium led by Arcapita and Dgpays, with continued support from Mashreq, NEOPAY combines institutional strength with fintech agility to deliver innovative payment solutions, advanced analytics and value-added services to thousands of merchants across retail, e-commerce, hospitality and public sector industries.
About At the Top, Burj Khalifa
An icon in Dubai’s skyline since January 2010, At the Top, Burj Khalifa offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the world’s tallest building. Soaring at 828 metres, Burj Khalifa is a marvel of design and innovation, with At the Top being the official observation experience within the tower. Spanning multiple levels, the attraction offers panoramic views of the highest vantage points in the city, and immersive storytelling that highlight the tower’s architectural significance.
The experience features three ticket categories across six levels. Levels 124 and 125 offer expansive indoor and outdoor observation decks with sweeping views across the city. Continued on Level 148, At the Top SKY provides a premium experience including access to the world’s highest observation deck and the exclusive SKY Lounge. For guests seeking a more elevated experience, the VIP Lounge spans Levels 152, 153, and 154, and is certified by Guinness World Records as the highest lounge in the world. It includes all-access entry to lower levels, along with a luxurious setting and gourmet refreshments.
About Emaar Entertainment
Emaar Entertainment is a leading owner and operator of exceptional entertainment experiences defined by pioneering attractions that are unique and transcend excellence in entertainment and leisure.
Emaar Entertainment is credited with developing and managing some of Dubai’s most-visited leisure attractions that delight millions of guests including At The Top Burj Khalifa, Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Reel Cinema, KidZania® Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as Dubai Ice Rink, Sky Views Observatory, The Storm Coaster, Adventure Park by Emaar, Dubai Opera and more.
Customer-focused and committed to developing exceptional leisure and entertainment choices, Emaar Entertainment is building its portfolio through strategic global alliances, joint ventures, franchises and licences with premium brands in the UAE and the GCC.
