Tourism Bahrain sees 984% rise in tourism There has been a 984 percent increase in the number of tourists arriving in Bahrain in the first quarter of this year, compared with the same period last year. The Gulf kingdom received nearly 1.7 million visitors in Q1 2022, against 152,000 in Q1 2021, according to the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA), The jump follows […] July 1, 2022
Exclusive Food & Drink $500-an-hour sobriety coach helps Dubai’s big drinkers Dubai’s work-hard, play-hard expat party lifestyle, and its famous all-you-can-drink weekend brunches can be the perfect breeding ground for potential alcoholics, according to the founder of a new $500-an-hour sober coaching service. British sober and recovery coach, David Golding, relocated to Dubai nearly four months ago and has launched Sober Lifestyle Coaching, a 13-week recovery […] July 1, 2022
Retail Apple hikes iPhone prices in Japan by nearly a fifth Apple Inc has hiked by nearly a fifth the cost of its flagship iPhone phone in Japan, which is battling a weakening yen currency and rising inflation. The Cupertino, California-based manufacturer’s entry level iPhone 13 now costs 117,800 yen ($870), Apple’s website showed, compared to 99,800 yen previously. With the dollar up 18 percent against […] July 1, 2022
Food & Drink Reviving the ancient tradition of wine-making in Egypt Egypt’s revival of its tourism sector following the coronavirus pandemic impacts on its wine industry as well as its expanding hotel sector. Today, popular wine brands in the country include Omar Khayyam, Ayyam, Shahrazade, and Beausoleil, which are served in many of Egypt’s hotels, resorts and the bars in some of the more upmarket neighbourhoods. They’re […] June 30, 2022
Retail Unilever sells Ben & Jerry’s business in Israel Unilever on Wednesday sold its Ben & Jerry’s ice cream business in Israel to its local licensee for an undisclosed sum, aiming to smooth over a potentially damaging diplomatic row over the company’s political stance. The deal comes after the US ice cream brand announced last year it would stop marketing products in the Israeli-occupied […] June 30, 2022
Food & Drink Saudi prince backs $40m funding for dairy replacement producer KBW Ventures, the venture capital firm founded by Saudi Arabia’s Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed, was one of the prime investors in a $40 million fundraising round by a Californian company that is aiming to become the world’s first true plant-based dairy replacement producer. Oakland-based Eclipse Foods was founded in 2019 by chef Thomas Bowman and […] June 30, 2022
Opinion Food & Drink Being Michelin rated is more than just an accolade Dubai's fine diners are not the only people to benefit from Michelin star quality June 29, 2022
Tourism Hotelier recruiting 12,000 workers for World Cup Hotel operator Accor is recruiting 12,000 temporary overseas employees to operate 65,000 empty rooms in apartments and homes in Qatar as temporary fan housing for the 2022 soccer World Cup, its chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin told Reuters. Qatar is working to avoid an accommodation shortage during the tournament and has hired Accor, Europe’s largest […] June 29, 2022
Tourism UK’s offer of visa-free travel to UAE hailed as ‘historic’ step The addition of the UAE to the list of countries eligible for visa-free travel to the UK is “historic” and will drive further growth in both economies, officials and experts have told AGBI. The British government announced on Monday that the UAE would be added to its new electronic travel authorisation (ETA) system in 2023, […] June 28, 2022
Retail Nike Q1 forecasts downbeat, despite higher Middle East sales Nike Inc forecast first-quarter revenue below estimates as it expects to discount more and wrestles with pandemic-related disruptions in China, its most profitable market. The company’s shares fell 3 percent to $107 after the bell. Analysts are mixed about Nike’s prospects in China this year even as strict COVID-19 lockdowns have been lifted in several […] June 28, 2022
Tourism Diriyah aims to be ‘shining example’ of sustainability Diriyah, the $50 billion giga-project on the edge of Riyadh which is scheduled to open by 2024, will be a world leading example of sustainability, according to its CEO. “With regenerative tourism and a people-first development at the epicenter of our philosophy we want to ensure that Diriyah is a shining example when it comes […] June 28, 2022
Opinion Business of Sport Rory McIlroy’s cash vs Saudi money: what’s the difference? It's easy for the world No 3 to take the moral high ground over the new LIV Golf series but for the average player this presents a chance to secure their family's future June 27, 2022
Tourism Sanctioned Russian’s superyacht docked in Dubai A luxurious superyacht belonging to a sanctioned Russian billionaire parliamentarian featuring six suites, an elevator, its own beach club and a helicopter pad is anchored in Dubai where Russians have sheltered wealth since the invasion of Ukraine. Andrei Skoch’s blue and white “Madame Gu” was docked at Port Rashid on Friday, where Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh […] June 25, 2022
Analysis Business of Sport The pros (and cons) of big stars backing your business As French footballer Paul Pogba becomes an angel investor and brand ambassador for Islamic fintech Wahed, we look at the benefits and pitfalls of celebrities from David Beckham to Jay-Z teaming up with brands When global Islamic fintech Wahed announced its latest list of investors, Paul Pogba, the Manchester United and French international footballer, stood […] June 25, 2022
Analysis Business of Sport Football stars who invest in startups Cristiano RonaldoIn 2012, Ronaldo invested in a startup named Mobitto, a Portuguese app, while also becoming a brand ambassador. In 2017, he purchased a minority stake in the Portuguese agency Thing Pink, responsible for the technology in the CR7 museum in Funchal, Madeira. David BeckhamFormer Manchester United and Real Madrid star Beckham reportedly invested $319,000 […] June 24, 2022
Retail British shoppers continue to cut back as retail sales fall in May British consumers cut back on shopping in May in the face of fast-rising inflation, and an increase in sales in April was revised down sharply, according to data that on Friday provided further evidence of a cost-of-living squeeze. The Office for National Statistics said May sales volumes fell by 0.5 percent on the month, a […] June 24, 2022
Tourism Saudi adventure tourism climbs to new heights Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambition to diversify into tourism has added the action sport of climbing to its offer, a way for adventure holiday enthusiasts to explore the kingdom’s natural landscape. Climbing is a new concept for the country, only born locally from young Saudis who studied or worked abroad and then returned home with […] June 23, 2022
Opinion How global brands can get on the road to Babylon The scars of war are rarely seen as Iraq opens its doors to international business June 23, 2022
Tourism Universal Beijing Resort to reopen on June 25 as Covid cases drop The Universal Beijing Resort said on Wednesday it will reopen on June 25 after being closed for nearly two months, as the number of new COVID-19 cases in the Chinese capital falls. The resort said on its official WeChat account that after it reopens, all visitors must show a negative PCR test taken within the […] June 22, 2022
Food & Drink Chef Jason Atherton opens fine dining restaurant in Jeddah A new Mediterranean restaurant in Jeddah is bringing a fine dining experience to the city thanks to a partnership between English chef Jason Atherton and Saudi businessman Abdelkarim Abbar. Located at the newly opened Jeddah Yacht Club on the Red Sea, Marina Social, operated by Atherton and owned by Abbar, opened on June 19. Atherton’s […] June 22, 2022
Food & Drink Kellogg’s faux meat spin-off faces ‘tough environment’ Kellogg Co’s plan to spin off and potentially sell its profitable MorningStar Farms vegetarian patties and plant-based meat business could shake up the frozen aisle in grocery stores. But the line of plant-based breakfast sausages, burgers and faux chicken, priced significantly less than premium brands such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, faces a “tough […] June 22, 2022
Retail Qatari fund sells half its stake in Spanish retailer El Corte Ingles Privately owned Spanish department store chain El Corte Ingles said on Tuesday it bought back half of the stake Qatari fund Primefin held in the company. Primefin, an investment vehicle of Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jaber Al Thani, the former Prime Minister of Qatar, will keep a 5.53 percent stake in Corte Ingles, while […] June 21, 2022
