Dubai is launching a virtual business-to-business marketplace for the travel industry, as part of its Dubai 10X initiative: “to be 10 years ahead of other world cities”. Explaining the objective of 10X, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said: “Success of governments is determined by their ability and flexibility to re-invent themselves, and upgrade their services to cater to the evolving needs of the community.” The Blockchain Marketplace initiative aims to increase tourist numbers by offering more of Dubai’s inventory in real-time, at the right price while allowing smaller players to have equal opportunity in attracting customers. Dubai Tourism’s Blockchain Marketplace aims to add an additional distribution channel for hotels in its first phase within the next 24 months.