Author: Abdul.Wasey

New pan-African initiative aimed at strengthening collective cyber resilience across Africa’s digital economy Brings together public and private sector organizations to share intelligence, build readiness and support improved response Launch begins in South Africa and Nigeria, reinforcing Mastercard’s long-term commitment and investments in Africa’s digital transformation and supporting trust in the digital ecosystem What the Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence will do Riyadh : Mastercard today announced the launch of its Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, a pan-African initiative designed to strengthen cyber resilience, enhance collaboration and help safeguard the trust that underpins Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy. The announcement was…

Geneva : The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for May 2026 global air cargo markets showing: Total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTK), increased by 6.0% compared to May 2025 levels (6.5% for international operations). Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTK), increased by 1.9% compared to May 2025 (2.8% for international operations). “Air cargo demand grew 6% year-on-year in May, with Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North American regions all reporting above trend growth. Carriers in the Middle East, however, reported a combined contraction of 8.9% year-on-year as war-related impacts continued. May’s strong performance coupled with macro-economic factors…

Dubai: His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has highlighted how Dubai’s leadership, commitment to execution and focus on innovation continue to strengthen the emirate’s global standing. Through the Dubai-it initiative, the city aims to inspire future generations by showcasing a development model built on ambitious goals, effective implementation and measurable results. Dubai has established a strong international reputation across tourism, business, investment and innovation. Its continued development reflects a long-term approach that combines strategic planning with practical action, helping create opportunities for residents, businesses, investors and international visitors. The Dubai-it…

IHG is strengthening its Luxury & Lifestyle presence in Saudi Arabia as demand grows for distinctive, locally-relevant stays Riyadh : IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to introduce all six of its Luxury & Lifestyle brands into Saudi Arabia by 2028, with hotels for each brand either already open or in the pipeline, reinforcing the Kingdom as one of the company’s most important global growth markets and supporting Vision 2030. IHG’s journey in Saudi Arabia began in 1975 with the opening of InterContinental Riyadh. Five decades on, the Kingdom has become one of the Group’s most significant markets globally, with…

By Alexander Ponomarev, CEO of Syrve MENA, a leading Middle Eastern restaurant technology provider. As restaurants navigate seasonal changes in customer behaviour, delivery vs dine-in has become an important consideration for operators looking to maintain revenue during the summer months What the delivery vs dine-in split shows Internal data shows delivery orders across our UAE network rose 18% year on year to 1.9 million in Q1, even though the number of restaurants offering delivery dropped from 342 to 332. Average quarterly revenue per delivery venue went up 17.92%, with fewer operators capturing more business. This shift is not slowing down for…

Riyadh: The Saudi Esports Federation and The Chefz have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their partnership and unlock new sponsorship and marketing opportunities across the Federation’s events and initiatives. The agreement aims to support the growth of Saudi Arabia’s esports ecosystem, enhance experiences for players and fans, and create opportunities for The Chefz to participate in upcoming Federation-hosted events. The partnership reflects the growing potential of collaborations between the esports industry and consumer-facing brands. By combining the Federation’s role in developing competitive gaming with The Chefz’s marketing and sponsorship expertise, both organisations aim to create more engaging…

Riyadh : Elaf Group, a leading hospitality company, participated in the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) 2026, held in Riyadh from Monday, June 22 to Wednesday, June 24. The summit convened leading experts and global leaders across hospitality, tourism, and real estate investment to explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the industry amid rapid regional transformation. This year’s Future Hospitality Summit covered five key tracks through seminars and panel discussions: real estate investment, technology and innovation, luxury and lifestyle, the food and beverage sector, and talent development. Elaf Group was represented at the event by its CEO, Jalil Makwar,…

Riyadh : As the Kingdom accelerates its journey to become a leading global entertainment and tourism destination, Qiddiya continues to stand out as one of the most notable developments in this direction. It offers an integrated mix of entertainment, sports, and cultural experiences, crafted to meet the highest international standards—creating a destination where adventure, excitement, and enjoyment are available for every member of the family. Just outside Riyadh, Qiddiya spans more than 20 unique zones, functioning as a “global city” for living, working, shopping, and exploring. The destination is built on the concept of the Power of Play, reimagining modern…

Riyadh  : The Saudi Tourism Authority launched the Saudi Summer Offers 2026 platform today under the slogan “Offers Now and Later,” in collaboration with more than 50 private sector tourism partners. The initiative aims to attract more tourists from within the Kingdom and the Gulf region to summer destinations by offering a single unified digital platform that brings together offers, programs, and tourism activities across the destinations included in this year’s Saudi Summer program. The platform features a range of exclusive packages and benefits for visitors, including discounts of up to 25% on flights or accommodation, free activities for children,…

Designed by the late Frank Gehry, new performing arts institution will provide a home for a broad range of performances spanning ballet to opera Set to open in 2030, the institution will offer year-round programming, with 365 days of events and performances  Abu Dhabi : The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced that works have commenced on Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi (House of the Arts), a landmark institution on Saadiyat Island that will become one of the region’s most technically advanced performing arts venues upon opening in 2030. Representing a major investment…