Spotify MD MEA Akshat Harbola

Spotify’s Akshat Harbola is keen to support local talent, read to know more

The managing director for the MENA region and South Asia shares the key trends impacting the streaming platform, inclusive initiatives that are bringing fresh talent to the fore and his strategy to get everyone on Spotify

Bentley 2023 Fleet

Here’s why Bentley is big on bespoke, shares CEO Adrian Hallmark

Bentley’s chairman and CEO gives us an insight into the company’s performance in 2023 and why customisation is key to its success in the region

Hajj registrations aopen for saudi citizens, residents -GettyImages-1017448984-1-e1690179207464

Hajj 2024: Registrations open for Saudi citizens, residents

Those wishing to perform Hajj from the kingdom can register via the ministry’s website or through the ‘Nusuk’ application

ai Ramadan returns to Expo-City-Dubai-photo-WAM

Hai Ramadan returns to Expo City in March; here’s what to expect

The Ramadan-themed event is expected to held from March 9 to April 8 this year

Rolls royce Spectre

On the road with Rolls-Royce’s first EV, the Spectre

The EV delivers a driving experience that’s as smooth, quiet and powerful as its fuel-powered predecessors

chinese new year

Chinese New Year celebrations 2024: Fireworks in Dubai, Dragon Show in Abu Dhabi

From iconic landmarks like the Burj Al Arab to family-friendly destinations such as Global Village, numerous celebrations have been organised to ring in the Lunar New Year

Rolls-Royce

Rolls-Royce marks Lunar New Year with ‘Year of the Dragon’ Phantom and Cullinan: In photos

Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective has revealed a modern, minimalistic expression of the dragon never previously seen in its cars

GCC travel and tourism

GCC travel and tourism: On a steady path to growth

Chris Ross, chief commercial officer, EMEA Collinson, gives us insights into how the travel industry is contributing to the region’s economy and key travel trends

top 5 digital consumer trends GettyImages-1300788719-e1650537163767

Five ways ‘digital’ consumers are reshaping retail in 2024

Against a backdrop of mounting macroeconomic uncertainty and increasing digitalisation, consumers are seeking out online platforms dedicated to securing the best deals

Coffee

Coffee Planet expands its footprint in Abu Dhabi

The leading specialty coffee company in the Middle East says it is expanding its presence in the UAE with a new store in the capital

Emirates Literature Festival

Emirates Literature Festival 2024: A celebration of stories, books and people

Known as the region’s largest celebration of the written and spoken word, the festival has for over a decade and a half, hosted international and regional writers, poets, thinkers, and speakers from around the globe

womena Elissa Freiha

How Womena is amplifying the voices of trailblazing Arab women

“We are a purpose-driven organisation and so ‘People’ and ‘Purpose’ will always be above ‘Profit’,” says Womena’s Elissa Freiha

sadhguru founder of conscicous planet

Lessons in wellbeing: Creating a conscious planet with Sadhguru

Sadhguru is the founder of the world’s largest people’s movement, Conscious Planet – Save Soil, which has touched over four billion people worldwide

Muzzammil Ahussain CEo fo Almosafer

Power Letters 2024: Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer

A surge in visitor numbers is on the cards both in Saudi Arabia and the wider region when the announced unified GCC tourist visa begins to be implemented

UAE-PASSPORT-HENLEY 2024 UAE rnking revealed-INDEX-GettyImages-1240211476-1

UAE passport ranking rises to 11th place; these countries topped the 2024 list

The UAE remains the biggest climber on the Henley Passport Index over the past decade, adding an impressive 106 destinations to its visa-free score since 2014

UAE Kosovo sign visa exemption agreement in January 2024 Image Kosovo Embassy

UAE, Kosovo approve visa-free entry for citizens

UAE citizens holding valid passports for at least six months are exempt from the visa requirement for entry into Kosovo and can stay there for up to 90 days per visit

Bid baggage hassles bye: Saudi Arabia's new luggage service, other services in UAE Image Getty mages

Saudi’s new ‘passengers with no bags’ service — what you need to know

The ‘Passengers with No Bags’ service has been launched across domestic and international Saudi airports, enabling travellers to ship their luggage ahead from home to any destination

Andy Thompson, SailGP Chief financial Officer, at the Range Rover France Sail Grand Prix in Saint Tropez, France. 11th September 2022. Photo: Adam Warner for SailGP. Handout image supplied by SailGP

‘UAE is a very important market for us’: SailGP MD Andrew Thompson

SailGP kicks off its first Abu Dhabi event on January 13-14 , with Mubadala increasing its commitment to the racing championship over the next three seasons

Mother, son and pets

Woofing success: The Petshop’s CEO talks dogs, cats and investments

The UAE’s pet care industry is worth over $360m and is expected to reach $2bn by 2025

Avalon Pharmaceuticals partners with AlUla Peregrina

Saudi Arabia’s Avalon Pharma partners with AlUla Peregrina Trading

The patented formulas that will emerge from the collaboration will undergo a few months of formulation, tests and assessment process

Top travel trends for the Middle East GettyImages

Here are top 5 travel trends in the Middle East for 2024

Priority Pass operator Collinson shares that from backpacking to wellness retreats, the rise in holidays that enable travellers to get back to basics is undeniable

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM launches lifestyle community Norlana

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM unveils plans for lifestyle community Norlana

Located on the coastline of the Gulf of Aqaba, the lifestyle community will have a 120-berth marina that will serve as an international hub for superyachts

New Year’s Eve in Dubai: RTA announces marine transit offers

New Year’s Eve in Dubai: Watch fireworks from the sea aboard RTA ferry, abra

The Dubai Ferry, Water Bus, Water Taxi and abras have special appeal to Dubai residents, visitors, and tourists, thanks to the picturesque coastal line of the city

Saudi Arabia's first opera house is being built in Diriyah

Saudi Arabia’s first opera house is being built here

Designed by the world-renowned architectural firm Snøhetta, the Royal Diriyah Opera House will be built in the heart of Diriyah

DSF begins on December 8 in Dubai Image DFRE

Dubai Shopping Festival begins: Deals, discounts, fireworks, prizes on offer

Starting on December 8, the Dubai Shopping Festival will run until January 14

Michelin Guide Abu Dhabi 2024 Image supplied

Abu Dhabi: Here are the UAE capital’s latest Michelin starred restaurants

Erth, an Emirati restaurant is the latest entrant to the ‘star’ line-up

siranna new destination launched by NEOM Image NEOM

Saudi Arabia: What NEOM’s new destination, Siranna, has to offer

Situated on the Gulf of Aqaba coastline, this ultra-luxurious destination will be home to a 65-key hotel, as well as 35 exclusive residences

Dubai Calendar events in December 2023 -Winter Garden at Habtoor Palace Dubai until 31 January

Dubai Calendar: Here’s a lineup of sport, festive, music, NYE events in Dec 2023

Dubai Calendar has revealed an exciting array of events in December, including DSF, Sole DXB, Winter Garden and other events

SEVEN Abha unveiled in Aseer Image supplied

Saudi’s SEVEN unveils SAR1.3bn entertainment destination in Aseer

The entertainment destination is centrally located between the cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait, and will be developed with an investment of over SAR1.3bn

NYE 2023 - Emaar reveals what's in store for visitors at Burj Khalifa and dubai Fountain Getty Images

NYE 2023: Burj Khalifa fireworks, Dubai Fountain show, Emaar reveals plans

According to Emaar, 15,682 pyrotechnic elements will be featured in the special fireworks, laser and light show, with each having a distinct firing sequence