Recently, Dalands, in partnership with Marriott International and supported by Marjan, the master developer of freehold property in Ras Al Khaimah, announced the signing of W Residences Al Marjan Island.

Scheduled to open in Q4 2027, this development will be co-located with the W Al Marjan Island hotel, blending vibrant hospitality with elevated residential living on one of the UAE’s iconic beachfront destinations.

This project marks a new phase in Dalands’ expansion in the UAE, building on its track record in boutique resorts and luxury residences.

In this interview, Saurabh Gupta, CEO of Dalands Holding, discusses how branded residences tied to hotel brands are becoming a more common part of the region’s real estate market.

He explains how hospitality principles are influencing design and service, the growth potential in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, and key trends shaping buyer preferences today and in the near future.

How are hotels influencing branded residences?

Nearly 80 per cent of branded residences globally are linked to hotel brands because the luxury hospitality sector has refined delivering lifestyle-rich experiences.

At Dalands, we draw from hotel design, service culture, and brand storytelling to redefine what ‘living well’ means for residents and investors.

What growth do you expect in hotel-inspired branded residences?

Branded residences have moved beyond niche markets and represent a growing segment.

Globally, the market has increased by 180 per cent in the past decade. Dubai holds 19 per cent of the global inventory and leads the Middle East with 51 operational projects and similar numbers in the pipeline.

Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Marjan Island is also attracting attention due to upcoming developments like the Wynn resort.

How does the experience economy affect this trend?

Buyers today expect convenience, personalisation, and experiences beyond traditional real estate.

We offer triple-layered value: beachfront location, fully furnished and internationally branded residences, and hospitality services through an onsite Marriott hotel.

This integration isn’t just branding for show — it’s reflected in design, construction, and operations.

What can buyers expect from W branded residences?

The offering focuses on three pillars:

• Service excellence with concierge, security, housekeeping, and hospitality on par with top resorts.

• Design distinction, involving global designers working closely with our team and Marriott International.

• Amenity-driven living with wellness, entertainment, and social spaces like infinity pools, screening rooms, and yoga studios.

What’s the outlook for real estate growth in Ras Al Khaimah and other smaller emirates?

Ras Al Khaimah and other emerging emirates are entering a growth phase with government support, key hospitality projects, and investor-friendly policies.

Al Marjan Island is developing into a notable luxury lifestyle destination, and our project signals confidence in the Northern Emirates’ potential.

What real estate trends do you see impacting the sector?

Several trends are shaping the sector. These include:

• Branded living becoming mainstream, with buyers seeking trusted names and curated services.

• A price premium for branded residences, about 30 per cent higher than comparable unbranded properties.

• Unique design aligned with brand identity replacing cookie-cutter styles.

• Wellness amenities and biophilic design becoming standard.

• Mixed-use developments combining residential, commercial, and recreational spaces gaining popularity.

• Millennial and Gen Z buyers influencing design and features as they become dominant market segments.

IBM has released its 2025 edition of the Cost of a Data Breach Report, revealing that the average cost of a data breach in the Middle East declined to $7.29m (SAR27m). This marks a notable 18% drop from $8.86m (SAR32.80m) the previous year. According to the report, the reduction was largely due to increased adoption of AI/ML-driven insights, strong encryption, and a DevSecOps approach.

Lost business remained the most significant contributor to breach costs in the region, averaging $3.14m (SAR11.63m) per incident. This was followed by post-breach response costs at $2.03m (SAR7.50m), detection and escalation at $1.77m (SAR6.55m), and notification costs at $356,400 (SAR 1.32 million).

The financial sector recorded the highest breach costs in 2025, reaching $9.18m (SAR34m), followed closely by the energy and industrial sectors at $8.64m (SAR 32m). These figures highlight the continued financial exposure that organisations face across the entire breach lifecycle.

“It is encouraging to see a meaningful decline in the cost of data breaches in the Middle East this year. It is no coincidence that a region with some of the world’s boldest AI ambitions is also seeing less costly breaches. As organisations accelerate the adoption of AI-driven tools for security, they are improving their ability to detect and contain threats before they escalate. But as attackers grow more sophisticated, continued investment in AI-driven security tools, security talent, and AI governance tools will be essential to sustaining this momentum,” said Saad Toma, general manager of IBM Middle East and Africa.

Read: Why UAE businesses are ahead in AI adoption, reveals IBM’s Lula Mohanty

According to the report, 41% of surveyed organisations in the Middle East have implemented access controls on AI systems to mitigate risks of AI model attacks—compared to just 3% globally. This indicates a proactive regional approach to AI security and governance.

AI governance frameworks are also gaining traction, with 38% of organisations already having policies in place and another 24% developing them. Among those with formal governance, the most common practices include strict approval processes for AI deployments (45%), adversarial testing (44%), and the adoption of AI governance technologies (43%).

On the cost side, organisations with complex security environments saw an average increase of $234,200 (SAR867,378) in breach-related costs. Breaches involving IoT or OT systems added $226,730 (SAR839,750), while cybersecurity staffing shortages led to an additional $221,130 (SAR818,997) per incident.

Third-party vendor and supply chain compromises emerged as the most common initial breach vector, accounting for 17% of incidents, with an average cost of $7.99 million (SAR 29.60 million). Denial-of-service attacks and phishing each represented 14% of cases, with costs averaging $7.34m (SAR 27.20m) and $7.56m (SAR 28m) respectively. Malicious insider attacks, though less frequent at 11%, had the highest cost at $8.91m (SAR33m).

The 2025 Cost of a Data Breach Report draws on analysis of over 600 breaches globally, including organisations in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, between March 2024 and February 2025. Conducted by Ponemon Institute and sponsored by IBM, the report is based on over two decades of research and data from nearly 6,500 real-world breaches.

The UAE Media Council has announced the launch of a new Advertiser Permit for individuals who publish promotional content on social media platforms—whether the content is paid or unpaid.

Read-UAE shuts 77 social media accounts for illegal domestic worker recruitment

The initiative is part of a broader framework aimed at creating a flexible, forward-looking regulatory environment that aligns with the fast-paced evolution of the media industry. It also aims to enhance content quality, boost sector appeal for investment, and attract creative talent and skilled professionals, a WAM report said.

The permit is designed to protect the rights of both content creators and the public by introducing clear guidelines for digital advertising. It seeks to reinforce transparency, uphold professional standards, and strengthen the UAE’s status as a global hub for advertising content production.

Regulating a rapidly evolving industry

Mohammed Saeed Al Shehhi, Secretary-General of the UAE Media Council, said the launch marks a key milestone in developing the country’s media governance.

“This initiative is a pivotal step in evolving the regulatory ecosystem for advertising activities across digital platforms,” Al Shehhi stated. “It reflects our vision of building an integrated media model that aligns with digital progress and strengthens governance through defined standards that protect public rights.”

He emphasised the importance of creating a media environment rooted in transparency and credibility, adding that the permit introduces clear advertising guidelines that enhance user trust and align with ongoing digital transformations.

Al Shehhi highlighted the UAE’s growing appeal as a global destination for digital creatives, citing the country’s advanced infrastructure, flexible legislative framework, and investor-friendly environment as major contributors to its success.

“We are committed to supporting the content economy as a key component of the future economy,” he added. “Creative talent is the foundation of this rapidly growing sector, both locally and internationally.”

Permit details and implementation timeline

Maitha Majed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Strategy and Media Policy Sector at the UAE Media Council, said the Advertiser Permit is a regulatory tool that empowers content creators and ensures higher quality in digital advertisements.

The permit will be mandatory for all individuals engaged in digital advertising and will take effect in three months. This lead time allows content creators to regularise their status and apply for the required approvals.

To encourage compliance, the permit will be issued free of charge for the first three years. Existing valid permits will remain in force until they expire, after which renewal applications can be submitted.

Al Suwaidi urged businesses and institutions to engage only with individuals licensed by the council, in line with professional standards, to ensure the quality and reliability of advertising content.

In addition, Visitor Advertiser Permits will be activated simultaneously with the full implementation of the system. The council plans to announce a list of approved advertising and talent agencies in the near future.

Exemptions and compliance requirements

Not all individuals will be required to obtain the permit. Exemptions include:

• Individuals promoting products or services of their own or of companies they own, using personal accounts

• Individuals under 18 involved in educational, cultural, athletic, or awareness campaigns, provided these align with applicable age classification laws

However, even exempt users must still comply with UAE media content standards. The permit number must be clearly displayed on registered social media accounts.

Moreover, no advertisement may be published unless it originates from an account officially registered with the council and tied to a valid permit. Permit holders are also prohibited from allowing other individuals or entities to post advertisements through their accounts.

In cases where additional regulatory approvals are required—depending on the nature of the advertisement—permit holders must obtain such approvals before publishing the content.

Visitor advertiser permit guidelines

The newly introduced Visitor Advertiser Permit is specifically for foreign content creators visiting the UAE for short-term promotional activities.

Applicants must register through a licensed and council-approved advertising or talent management agency authorized to operate in the UAE. The Visitor Advertiser Permit will be valid for three months, with a one-time renewal option for an additional three months.

UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech firm Space42 has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Microsoft and Esri to deliver high-resolution base maps across all 54 African nations.

The five-year initiative, called the ‘Map Africa Initiative’, aims to support more than 1.4 billion people by improving access to geospatial data and intelligent solutions across the continent.

Announced at the 2025 Esri User Conference, the partnership will address long-standing gaps in infrastructure, investment and data availability by producing the continent’s most comprehensive mapping database to date. The effort is designed to catalyze economic development through improved information flow to governments, businesses and communities.

“Partnership is core to the UAE’s DNA, and is central to how Space42 operates,” said Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Smart Solutions at Space42. “This collaboration with Microsoft and Esri is more than technical, it’s strategic… Accurate, high-quality mapping and the intelligence solutions built on it are essential for growth, resilience, and inclusive innovation.”

Esri president Jack Dangermond said, “We are proud to support the Map Africa Initiative in partnership with Space42. Transforming satellite imagery into detailed, accurate base maps at continental scale requires advanced geospatial technology and professional production workflows.”

How Space42, Esri and Microsoft will fill the mapping gap

Africa’s maps are often fragmented, outdated or inaccessible, leaving key decision-makers without accurate data. The Map Africa Initiative aims to change that by generating continent-wide geospatial data that is timely, accurate and managed locally.

Space42 will lead the project’s fundraising and coordination, provide satellite data, and use AI-powered digital twin models to process and tailor outputs. It will also drive the R&D roadmap for AI models and automated map production.

Esri will oversee base map production using its GeoAI and remote sensing capabilities, while helping train local teams to sustain mapping efforts in the long term.

Microsoft will provide cloud infrastructure and AI support through its Azure platform to enable large-scale data sharing and processing.

Sector-wide impact

The mapping initiative is expected to benefit several key industries, including:

Ports and logistics: Enhanced terrain mapping will support route planning and reduce inefficiencies.

Renewable energy: Improved site selection for solar and wind projects.

Security and disaster response: Better monitoring of borders and natural resources, improved emergency response coordination.

Smart cities: Foundational data for urban planning, service delivery and digital economy growth.

The mapping data will be licensed to national governments, with local agencies responsible for long-term updates. A commercial ecosystem is expected to emerge, powered by African startups, with data hosted in G42 and Microsoft-managed centres across the continent.

Strategic importance

For Space42, the MoU strengthens existing ties with Microsoft and Esri, expands its footprint in Africa, and opens new revenue streams in analytics and licensing. It also reinforces Space42’s positioning as a key partner for governments in delivering scalable geospatial data solutions.

“This partnership is a decisive step toward closing the intelligence gap,” said Peng Xiao, group CEO of G42. “Together with our partners, we will deliver AI-powered insights that enable African nations to plan smarter, build better, and grow more sustainably.”

Xiao added that the collaboration with Microsoft highlights a joint commitment to leveraging AI responsibly to benefit underserved communities.

UAE’s growing footprint

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader strategic interests. The UAE was Africa’s largest foreign investor in 2024, with $44bn in capital deployed, nearly matching the combined investments of the UK and China.

As the UAE’s national space entity, Space42 plays a key role in exporting data-driven development tools and fostering knowledge transfer between the UAE and Africa.

The effort supports the UAE’s ambitions to lead in AI-enabled space solutions, while creating new opportunities across both regions in areas like infrastructure, smart cities and public services.

Dubai-based prime luxury developer, Imtiaz Developments, continues its handover streak with the successful delivery of Pearl House, its fourth completed project in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC).

Delivered four months ahead of schedule, this early project completion follows the recent handover of Westwood Grande I and Westwood Grande II, all delivered on time, setting a new benchmark for timely execution in Dubai’s real estate sector.

With over 40 active projects and Dhs10bn in total sales, Imtiaz Developments remains steadfast in its commitment to quality, innovative design, and timely delivery.

Valued at Dhs155m, Pearl House by Imtiaz brings a new level of contemporary living to JVC. The development features a collection of 190 fully furnished studio and one-bedroom apartments in a 16-storey mid-rise tower.

Designed to appeal to both end-users and investors, the project offers a blend of elegance, comfort, and functionality in one of Dubai’s substantially transacted areas known for solid rental yields.

“Following the success of our previous projects in the Jumeirah Village community, we are proud to handover Pearl House by Imtiaz—a development that reflects our continued dedication to design innovation and architectural excellence,” said Masih Imtiaz, CEO of Imtiaz Developments. “This project is part of our strategic growth roadmap for 2025, and we are thrilled to see it come to life ahead of schedule.”

Pearl House marks the first project in the series, followed by Pearl House 2 and Pearl House 3, scheduled for delivery in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026 respectively. Inspired by oceanic beauty, the apartments are thoughtfully crafted with custom-made furniture, integrated smart home systems, and built-in office spaces designed for modern remote work lifestyles.

As Imtiaz Developments continues to expand across key districts such as Dubailand Residential Complex, Dubai Islands, and Meydan, the company remains focused on building high-quality communities that merge architectural distinction with enduring lifestyle and investment value.