Tourist coins pose giant problem at N. Ireland’s famous causeway site
Bushmills, United Kingdom -- Northern Ireland's Giant Causeway draws close to one million visitors a year but their habit of...
Arts & Culture
Syria’s new authorities to help locate missing Americans: US envoy
Damascus, Syria -- Syria's new authorities have agreed to help the United States locate and return Americans who went missing...
Geostrategy
Business
Sheikh Hamdan praises ADNOC’s efforts in using AI in production process
ABU DHABI, UAE - Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, said that under the...
- Sheikh Hamdan toured key facilities and operations, learning about the company's efforts to leverage AI.
- Sheikh Hamdan emphasized on the importance of Emirati women's participation across various sectors.
Arts & Culture
Restoration project for Jeddah district’s old buildings completed
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – The Ministry of Culture, represented by the Jeddah Historic District Program, has announced the completion of...
- The project comes within the context of the Crown Prince's keenness to preserve and rehabilitate historical sites.
- The project aimed to highlight the heritage landmarks that Jeddah District is abundant in as a site containing over 600 heritage buildings.
Business
Abu Dhabi Chamber sets up working group to support startups, SMEs
ABU DHABI, UAE – The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) has formed a working group specifically for...
- This initiative aims to support and represent the interests of startups and SMEs in the region.
- The goal is to make Abu Dhabi the top choice for business in the Middle East and North Africa by 2025.
Business
TAQA, JERA sign pact with SATORP to develop plant in Saudi Arabia
ABU DHABI, UAE – Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), together with JERA Co., Inc on Thursday announced that they...
- They will develop a greenfield industrial steam and electricity cogeneration plant for Amiral petrochemical complex.
- The Amiral petrochemical complex is expected to house one of the largest mixed-load steam crackers in the Arab Gulf region.
Economy
Rise in remittances hikes demand for Jordanian dinar, says chamber of commerce
AMMAN, JORDAN – Rising remittances from the Kingdom’s citizens working abroad has contributed to increasing demand for Jordanian dinar. Exchange...
- There are positive indicators suggesting a stabilization in Jordan’s economy.
- Presently the currency exchange sector comprises 250 firms across Jordan.
Business
Saudi Arabia weighs handing state airline Saudia over to PIF
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia is considering transferring ownership of its national carrier, Saudia, to the sovereign wealth fund,...
- Bloomberg initially reported the discussions regarding PIF's potential acquisition of Saudia
- Currently, PIF already holds ownership of Riyadh Air, the kingdom's upcoming airline
Arts & Culture
Beyonce album highlights the Black women changing country music
Nashville, United States - "Twenty-three in Music City / With dreams and high-heeled boots / Singin' for a crowd of blue...
- The 26-year-old, who is biracial, is one of many Black female artists carving out space in country music's capital
- Megastar Beyonce's highly anticipated country album, out Friday, has cast a spotlight on efforts by Black performers to create a more inclusive Nashville
Economy
Visa-free policies make Middle East preferred destination for Chinese travelers
Dubai, UAE - As China's outbound tourism steadily rebounds from the pandemic's impact, the Middle East is emerging as a...
- Data from online travel agencies including Ctrip, Tongcheng, Tuniu, Mafengwo, and Zuzuche indicates a significant rise in Chinese tourists flocking to the UAE
- Destinations like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Morocco have witnessed increasing demand from Chinese travelers, partly due to their visa-free policies
Arts & Culture
Saudi RCU begins rock excavation for Sharaan Resort in AlUla
ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) has marked a significant milestone in the development of the...
- The initial excavation symbolizes the start of a mission that combines Jean Nouvel’s architectural innovation with Bouygues' engineering expertise.
- This milestone is an important step forward in AlUla's evolution into a premier destination for sustainable luxury tourism.
Arts & Culture
Hotel Dar Tantora is inspired by Saudi’s AlUla ancient mudbrick buildings
ALULA, SAUDI ARABIA – Situated in the heart of Old Town here, Dar Tantora Hotel offers guests a chance to...
- AlUla’s Old Town, with its origins going back over 700 years, prospered along the renowned incense trade route.
- With over 900 traditional mudbrick homes, the Old Town stands as a testament to the Kingdom’s enduring cultural heritage.
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Tourist coins pose giant problem at N. Ireland’s famous causeway site
Bushmills, United Kingdom -- Northern Ireland's Giant Causeway draws close to one million visitors a year but their habit of...
Arts & Culture
Company News
Latest News
Trump’s solar tariffs could drive Asia transition boom
Bangkok, Thailand -- Massive planned US duties on solar panels made in Southeast Asia could be a chance for the...
Business
UAE says citizens can again travel to Lebanon
The announcement comes after Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun met with his UAE counterpart Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi on...
Geostrategy
Most Read
Business
SABIC net loss $322 million
The company's net profit was $66m in Q1 2024
- Losses were driven by a SAR 1.05 billion drop in gross profit on higher feedstock prices.
- On a sequential basis, net loss shrank from SAR 1.89 billion in Q4 2024.
Business
Loyalty Lost: How brands need to adapt to the modern traveler
Dubai, UAE: As 2025 unfolds, travel brands are facing a significant challenge: customer loyalty. Traditional rewards programmes, often based on points systems,...
- To stay competitive, brands must move away from price-based rewards like discounts, which can boost short-term sales but impact profitability
- Instead, focusing on personalised offers, exclusive experiences, and tiered memberships is key to fostering long-term customer loyalty
Gen Z travellers in UAE seek purposeful, tech-enabled journeys: Wyndham study
Dubai, UAE - Gen Z travellers in the UAE are reshaping the future of tourism, prioritizing cultural immersion, sustainability, and...
- The study, conducted by YouGov, found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of Gen Z respondents prefer accommodations that reflect local culture
- Meanwhile, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are driving travel choices for 26% of them, with 79% already using or eager to use AI tools to plan their trips