Qiddiya and Globant Partner to Create a Next-Generation Entertainment Hub

Prime Minister Sarra Zaâfrani Zenzri announced during a Cabinet meeting held at the Government Palace in Kasbah Saturday the launch of a unified digital platform to monitor the real-time progress of public projects.

The platform will feature a dashboard to measure completion rates and establish a timeline to accelerate implementation.

During the meeting, dedicated to tracking the advancement of public projects across Tunisia’s governorates, Zaâfrani emphasized a significant shift in the monitoring of infrastructure and public service projects.

She stated that this issue would become a core priority for the Prime Ministry, guided by a new, nationwide approach aimed at boosting public investment as a driver for private investment, increasing economic growth, and ensuring economic and social equity.

Zaâfrani also announced that, for the first time in Tunisia, the 2026–2030 national development plan would be developed using a bottom-up participatory approach.

Project proposals will originate from local councils, then move to regional, district councils and finally national levels.

According to a Prime Ministry statement, the meeting reviewed progress across multiple development sectors, including health, transport, education, infrastructure, ICT, agriculture, industry, mining, and energy with special focus on industrial zone development projects and establishment of solar power stations.

Additional sectors reviewed included integrated development, social, environmental, tourism, commercial affairs, vocational training, employment, higher education, scientific research, youth, sports, culture and others.

In response to delays affecting many development projects, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to streamline public administration in line with national policy.

Zenzri stressed the need for every official in the administration to fulfill their assigned role as required, to monitor daily on the ground all projects under their responsibility, and to take full accountability while working to resolve most issues promptly without any delay.

She emphasized that anyone who neglects their duty in serving citizens will be held accountable.

The PM urged the adoption of forward-looking and proactive approaches to handling key public service challenges, especially those impacting daily life, such as drinking water supply interruptions and power outages across several regions, particularly during holidays and other celebrations.

She also highlighted the critical role of governors, delegates and local officials in promptly resolving issues and removing obstacles in order to meet citizens’ expectations.

She called on all government representatives to double their efforts and remain fully engaged in monitoring all matters related to public service delivery.

Constance Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce its collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority in luxury hospitality. Renowned for its prestigious Star Rating system, Forbes Travel Guide celebrates the world’s most exceptional hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises, setting the benchmark for service, excellence, and refined guest experience.

As a Forbes Global Partner, Constance Hotels & Resorts joins an exclusive circle of hospitality leaders, united by a shared commitment to crafting unforgettable moments and elevating every detail of the guest journey.

Becoming a member of the Forbes Travel Guide community underscores the hotel group’s unwavering dedication to authentic luxury, heartfelt service, and the timeless elegance that defines every Constance Hotels & Resorts experience, from the turquoise lagoons of the Maldives to the lush landscapes of Mauritius and beyond. This collaboration proudly includes three of the hotel group’s properties: Constance Halaveli Maldives, Constance Lemuria Seychelles, and Constance Prince Maurice in Mauritius. Partnering with the Forbes Travel Guide reinforces their promise to offer exceptional service standards and curated experiences that reflect the essence of each destination. It is a mark of trust, both for their loyal guests and their dedicated teams, who strive each day to embody the spirit of “True by Nature”.

Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE National Rail Network, has announced the launch of the second edition of its Global Rail Innovation Award. This prestigious initiative features an AED 1,000,000 grant designed to inspire and accelerate transformative solutions in transport, mobility, and logistics. The award is open for submissions from startups, research institutions, technology leaders, and innovators worldwide, with finalists and winners to be honored at the Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition & Conference 2025, taking place from September 30 to October 2 at ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi.

Driving Innovation and Global Leadership

The Global Rail Innovation Award underscores Etihad Rail’s commitment to fostering next-generation advancements in rail and mobility, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a global leader in transport innovation.

Celebrating Past Achievements

Building on the momentum of the 2024 edition, which attracted over 75 international entries, the award continues to set new benchmarks for innovation. Previous winners include:

• CEMIT – “Monitoring in Motion”: Real-time ride comfort and infrastructure analysis

• LTTS – “Innovative Way to Detect Visible Rail Defects in Real-Time”: AI-driven rail defect detection

• SYSTRA – “Digital Twin for Railway Infrastructure”: Predictive digital twin modeling for rail systems

Impact and Future Opportunities

Winners and finalists will gain international recognition and exclusive visibility at one of the transport sector’s most significant gatherings, attended by government ministers, CEOs, investors, and industry leaders. Their innovations will be featured in the official conference program and highlighted in dedicated technical sessions, opening doors to global networking and collaboration with Etihad Rail and its partners.

Next Steps for Participants

Submissions are open until July 31, 2025. Interested innovators can find more details and submit their applications via the official portal: https://www.grtiec.com/innovation-awards/.

This initiative forms part of Etihad Rail’s broader mission to build a smarter, more sustainable transport future, positioning the UAE as a hub for innovation and multimodal connectivity.

PUMA and KidSuper have teamed up to reimagine football as a canvas for creativity, kicking off their latest collaboration with the striking launch of a brand-new Al Hilal kit — a tribute to heritage, artistry, and global ambition.

The Al-Hilal Home kit takes its cue from the club’s name – meaning the crescent moon in Arabic. KidSuper brings that symbol to life in tonal blues, with a glowing lunar graphic that reflects the quiet confidence of a team known across Asia as The Boss. A shirt for the dreamers, lit by the night sky, charting a path from Saudi Arabia to San Francisco – because greatness never stays in one place. The goalkeeper jersey switches things up with an alpine snow base with blue and navy details

Bringing a regional voice to the global collaboration, PUMA Middle East invited Zeynab El-helw — a Dubai-based fashion entrepreneur known for her bold, and distinct style; Shouq — a rising Saudi voice recognized for her expressive and forward-thinking fashion content; and Noura Joubran — a content creator celebrated for her fusion of elegance and contemporary style, to New York City representing the region and highlighting the PUMA x KidSuper Al Hilal kit.

Together, they brought the collection to life through a visually rich content shoot across NYC — celebrating the fusion of fashion and football, while also spotlighting the club’s growing global footprint and milestone presence at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, reinforcing the message that Al Hilal’s influence is now international.

In NYC, the trio joined PUMA’s global team for an exclusive launch event, where the full collection was unveiled alongside creators, media, and football fans from around the world. The experience also featured a spirited KidSuper x Puma Football tournament, blending football and creativity in a dynamic showcase of culture, style, and sport. They also attended one of Al Hilal’s Club World Cup matches, capturing the energy of the fans and the pride of seeing the club on an international stage.

KidSuper (Colm Dillane), said: “I’ve always wanted to merge the worlds of art and football, and with PUMA, we’re doing just that. This collection is about more than just the game. It’s about expressing yourself, taking risks, and standing out. Whether on the pitch or off, football is an art form, and this collection shows that.”

The collection also features limited-edition kits and lifestyle pieces for seven PUMA-sponsored clubs, each design reflecting the unique identity of its team through hand-painted details, watercolor-inspired palettes, and bold, expressive graphics. Alongside Al Hilal, the lineup includes fresh kit designs and apparel for Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, FC Salzburg, Mamelodi Sundowns, Palmeiras, and Monterrey.

Alongside the kits, the PUMA x KIDSUPER collection features special edition football boots: the FUTURE, ULTRA, and KING. Designed to elevate the game, these boots incorporate PUMA’s performance technology with KidSuper’s bold and distinctive style, blending high performance with visual artistry.

Each boot is an artistic creation, designed for the modern athlete who wants to stand out on and off the pitch. With FUTURE boots made for creativity, ULTRA boots designed for speed and lethal finishing, and the KING boots offering legendary control and comfort, these boots embody KidSuper’s signature artistic expression. Their vivid, hand-painted graphics are a true representation of the artistic energy of the collaboration, making each pair a statement of style, innovation, and football culture.

Each team’s collection includes a KIDSUPER Retro Shirt, KIDSUPER Graphic Tee, KIDSUPER Short, Pant and Reversible jacket.

The PUMA x KIDSUPER collection is available from June 10^th at PUMA.com, PUMA stores, Club Official Stores, and select retailers worldwide.

Playbook, the global learning and networking platform advancing the careers of women executives, has entered a strategic partnership with FinBursa, a global digital investment and fundraising platform focused on connecting capital seekers with qualified and sophisticated investors across private markets.

This partnership is designed to close the information and access gap for women in investing by providing educational resources, tools, an information marketplace and direct access opportunities in the private market space.

“Private markets remain one of the most under-accessed segments of finance globally, especially for women,” said Ismail Badereldine, Co-Founder and CEO of FinBursa. “Our partnership with Playbook is about more than a situational effort to connect capital with opportunity. It’s a step toward dismantling the systemic visibility, information, and access barriers that have historically excluded women from private market investments and opportunities. Together, we’re championing a global movement to empower more women to fundraise, invest, and lead with confidence in an evolving financial landscape.”

The initiative will launch with a co-hosted webinar on June 25, titled “Navigating Private Market Investments: Unlocking Access and Opportunity,” led by Ismail Badereldine. The session will explore how women can participate in asset classes like private equity, venture capital, and private debt segments traditionally dominated by men either as individual or institutional investors.

“This partnership reflects our mission to equip women with the insights and connections they need to make informed bold financial decisions,” said Wafa AlObaidat, Founder and CEO of Playbook. “We’re not only providing education, we’re creating real access to investment opportunities and capital.”

Through this collaboration, FinBursa and Playbook will provide Playbook’s women community members with opportunities to invest in private markets and gain early access to global deals. In parallel, female founders within the Playbook ecosystem will also benefit from increased exposure to FinBursa’s investor network and capital-raising pathways.

By aligning access, education, and capital readiness, Playbook and FinBursa are setting the stage for a more inclusive private investing landscape, one where women have a seat at both sides of the table.

OceanQuest, a Saudi Arabian not-for-profit foundation, committed to unveiling the wonders of the ocean and exploring its secrets for the benefit of humanity, marked its formal international debut at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice with a high-level gathering on the 10th of June, 2025. The event brought together UN representatives, senior government officials, ocean experts, business, philanthropists and policymakers to celebrate its launch on recent achievements and reaffirm OceanQuest’s mission to accelerate ocean discovery, drive innovation, support global cooperation and excite the public. 

The foundation is focused on deep ocean exploration and international collaboration in areas such as seamount system understanding, digital twin technologies, and capacity exchange with scientists and Early Career Ocean Professionals from the Global South.

The event featured opening addresses from Mr. Ray Dalio, founder and advisor of Ocean X and a member of the OceanQuest Board of Trustees who discussed the importance of the OceanQuest Foundation and its future plans, Dr. Martin Visbeck, founding CEO of OceanQuest, who presented the future ambitions of the foundation. The evening also saw special addresses from Mr. Vidar Helgesen, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Assistant Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Jorge Santos, Minister of the Sea of the Republic of Cabo Verde, Dr. Maryam Ficociello, Chief Governance Officer of Red Sea Global and a member of OceanQuest’s NRC and ARC Committees, Dr. Margaret Leinen, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Vice Chancellor at the University of California, San Diego and Ms. Janice Trotte-Duhá, Director for Infrastructure and Operations at the National Institute for Ocean Research in Brazil.  

An engaging fireside chat featured Dr. Martin Visbeck, Dr. Vincent Pieribone, Co-CEO, OceanX, Mattie Rodrigue, Science Program Director, OceanX, Dr. Yara Rodrigues, Executive Vogal, Instituto do Mar, and Dr. Lara Atkinson, Marine Offshore Scientist, NRF-SAEON. They were joined by Early Career Ocean Professionals Ali Abyadh, a PhD student, and Sinothando Shibe, a marine biologist, who shared firsthand insights from the Around Africa Expedition and its broader significance.

Dr. Martin Visbeck, CEO of OceanQuest, commented: “The 2025 UN Ocean Conference is a critical moment for us to elevate the deep ocean in global conversations on ocean policy. Historically, the deep ocean has received far less attention despite its critical role in the Earth’s systems. At OceanQuest, we see this not just as a launch event, but as our entry into a broader coalition working to change that. Our presence here reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ocean science and technology as well as international collaboration to elevate deep ocean science.”

The evening served as a showcase of OceanQuest’s early milestones, the successful Around Africa Expedition, in partnership with OceanX and leading African institutions. The four-month mission involved 34 Early Career Ocean Professionals from 16 countries, scientists from 8 countries, mapping of over 150,000 km² of seafloor in high resolution, and engaged with over 300 students, educators, and early-career professionals through training, outreach, and capacity sharing initiatives during port stops as well as onboard the OceanXplorer. 

Building on the success of its recent expedition, OceanQuest is advancing a mid-term expedition plan (2025–2028) that will explore seamount systems in the Red Sea, Southwest Indian Ocean, and the Tropical and South Atlantic. These expeditions aim to investigate biodiversity and deep-ocean connectivity, while comparing geological, physical, chemical and ecological settings across ocean basins to reveal global patterns in ocean life, processes, and evolution. 

“The deep ocean and in particular the sea mount systems present exciting opportunities in exploration and we can’t meet them alone,” added Dr. Visbeck. “OceanQuest exists to unite nations, scientists, and communities behind a shared purpose, advancing knowledge that benefits all of humanity.”

OceanQuest also signed a first set of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with leading international institutions. These agreements will serve as a framework for future joint missions, scientific exchange, and the development of inclusive ocean research programs. The signatories include:

• Brazilian National Institute for Ocean Research (INPO)
• National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa
• Ministério do Mar, Government of Cabo Verde
• GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel in Germany
• National Oceanography Centre (NOC) of the United Kingdom
• Internatioal Seabed 2030 Project
• Marine Technology Society (MTS)
• OceanX

These partnerships mark the beginning of OceanQuest’s collaborative efforts to contribute to global deep-ocean exploration, while strengthening scientific ties and building a shared foundation for future discovery.

With its official launch, a growing global network of partners, and new expeditions already in development, OceanQuest is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of deep ocean discovery, bringing together science, innovation, and international cooperation.

Oman is stepping up its efforts to develop ecotourism as part of a wider push to balance environmental protection with economic growth and job creation.

The sultanate is investing in its 31 nature reserves, which cover nearly 15,000sqkm – about 17% of its land area and 10% of its marine territory.

Authorities say these protected areas are central to supporting biodiversity, attracting tourists, and encouraging research on ecosystems and natural processes.

The Environment Authority (EA), in partnership with other agencies and civil society, is implementing management plans to conserve habitats while opening up investment opportunities.

New investment in ecotourism is expected to strengthen local economies, create jobs in nearby communities, and contribute to a sustainable green economy in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Royal decrees continue to protect endangered species and preserve the geological and ecological diversity of the reserves. Strict environmental rules have been set to ensure that conservation remains a priority even as tourism and related projects expand.

In recent moves, the Environment Authority signed nine investment contracts worth more than RO44mn for projects in seven reserves. These include the development and management of sites such as Ras al Shajar, turtle, oryx, and wetland reserves, parts of Jabal Samhan and Khor al Mughsail, as well as an eco-resort and star park in Al Hajar al Gharbi Starlight Reserve.

Private sector partners are helping to build eco-friendly lodges, camps, visitor centers, trails, and facilities that meet advanced environmental standards.

These projects cover sites in Muscat, South Sharqiyah, Al Wusta, Dakhliyah and Dhofar.

The new developments aim to provide authentic nature-based experiences, combining conservation with cultural and educational value. Plans include turtle ponds, eco-safaris and adventure tourism in protected settings.

Officials emphasize that local communities are closely involved in the planning, running and maintenance of these projects, ensuring direct employment and opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The expansion of ecotourism, anchored in strong community participation and sustainable practices, is expected to strengthen Oman’s position as a leading destination for responsible tourism in the region.

The UAE, represented by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI), announced that it is chairing the Global Energy Efficiency Alliance (GEEA) for the coming years, following the formation of GEEA’s General Secretariat.

The UAE announced its intention to establish GEEA during the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, in support of the UAE Consensus and the global goal of doubling the energy efficiency improvement rate, from the historical average of 2 percent to over 4 percent annually by 2030.

GEEA reaffirms the UAE’s commitment to placing energy efficiency at the forefront of the international energy and climate agenda. This effort comes at a critical moment, as the world is currently off track, the global energy efficiency improvement rate remains below 1.5 percent annually, and at this pace, the world will fall short of achieving its decarbonization and net-zero targets.

GEEA complements other high-level initiatives such as the Mission Efficiency partnership, the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group, and regional clean energy platforms. Together, these combined efforts must be mutually reinforcing, not fragmented—ensuring that knowledge, finance, and best practices flow across borders and sectors.

Through chairing this ambitious alliance, the UAE underscores its commitment to spearheading international efforts to enhance energy efficiency across various sectors. The UAE aims to strengthen collaboration among governments, the private sector, financial institutions, and research and innovation centers, thereby accelerating the transition toward more efficient and sustainable energy systems.

In this context, Sharif Al Olama, Under-Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Affairs at MoEI, emphasized that the UAE’s chairing of GEEA reflects the international community’s confidence in the country’s ability to lead and coordinate effectively. He noted that GEEA will play a pivotal role in policy development, knowledge and expertise exchange, enhancing access to finance and innovation, and enabling member states to achieve their national and international energy efficiency goals.

Al Olama said, “This alliance serves as a practical and inclusive platform to accelerate the achievement of the global target to double the rate of energy efficiency by 2030, in line with the historic UAE Consensus. We welcome all partners from around the world to join and collaborate for a more efficient and sustainable future. GEEA aims to drive transformative improvements in energy consumption efficiency across key sectors, including buildings, transportation, and industry.”

Last February, the UAE hosted a high-level roundtable during the World Government Summit in Dubai, where the general framework of the alliance was discussed with several countries, international organizations, private sector entities, and financial institutions.

BridgeWise, the leading global AI investment intelligence platform, today announced the launch of SignalWise, a next-generation personalized alerts and insights system designed for digital trading platforms and financial advisors. SignalWise enables platforms and investment professionals to deliver timely, transparent, and highly relevant market intelligence that engages clients, activates trading, and supports confident decision-making.

Unlike conventional alert systems, SignalWise combines real-time event detection with first-of-its-kind AI-powered predictive analysis and deep personalization, correlating events and asset types with the right audience segments, based on their portfolios and behavior.

SignalWise provides context and perspective, sharing historical analyses and insights in multiple languages for any given security, from stocks to ETFs and mutual funds, forex pairs, crypto indices, and commodities.

“In today’s climate of geopolitical uncertainty, guesswork has no place in investing. Confident investment decisions require clear data-driven intelligence that builds trust,” said Ayush Khatri, Regional Head for the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) at BridgeWise. “SignalWise delivers an AI-empowered investment experience that transforms real-time market data into intelligent, contextual alerts, equipping investors to navigate volatility with precision and act decisively across multiple asset classes.”

BridgeWise has deepened its presence in the MENA region with its regional HQ established in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), supported by a strategic investment from Emirates NBD. Trusted by leading institutions worldwide and in the UAE, BridgeWise is bringing its proven technology – including SignalWise, alongside AI-powered investment chat and analytics — to one of the region’s most sophisticated financial hubs.

Promoting Timely, Confident Decision-Making

For the first time with SignalWise, trading platforms and advisors can fully control the trading cycle and activate investors with personalized, interest and behavioral-based alerts. SignalWise introduces a multi-tiered architecture that separates it from traditional alerting tools:

• Live event detection: Identifies and broadcasts major market movements—such as price breakouts, range shifts, or volatility spikes—in near real time.
• Contextual insight layer: Adds reasoning, as well as historical and statistical analysis, to help investors act swiftly on market opportunities.
• Deep personalization: Segments notifications and insights for relevant investors based on their interests, activity level, and behavior, optimizing for maximum impact.

This intelligent stack enables trading platforms to communicate with users more meaningfully and empowers advisors to speak with confidence about market activity, even in moments not covered by traditional research desks.

A Strategic Solution for Platforms and Advisors

For trading platforms, SignalWise drives growth by increasing trading volumes, improving retention, and reactivating dormant users with intelligent, event-based triggers. Alerts are fully customizable and can be delivered via push notifications, email, SMS, or in-platform integrations.

For financial advisors, SignalWise fills a critical gap between long-term strategy and day-to-day market developments. It provides scalable, compliant, and ready-to-share talking points that position advisors as proactive partners in their clients’ investment journey, allowing for a superior customer experience.

SignalWise has already shown strong traction in early-stage implementations, validating that it is not just a notification tool, but a conversion and retention engine across multiple user segments:

• As high as ~15% average click-through rate on market alerts
• $3 in revenue per notification, driven by increased user activity
• Noticeable increases in client deposits, directly attributed to alerts

BridgeWise plans to extend SignalWise coverage and utility in the coming months, including its integration with Bridget, the world’s first AI-powered investment chat that provides regulatory-compliant investment recommendations.

Axia Media Group, a leading global provider of financial and business services, is excited to announce the opening of its new office in Dubai. This strategic expansion is aimed at enhancing the company’s presence in the Middle East and providing localized support to its growing client base in the region.

The new office, situated in Dubai’s bustling financial district, will serve as a hub for Axia Media Group’s operations in the Middle East. This expansion will enable the company to offer a comprehensive range of services, including accounting, tax advisory, business consultancy, risk management, and multi-jurisdictional financial planning.

“We are delighted to establish our presence in Dubai, a city renowned for its dynamic business environment and strategic importance in the global financial landscape,” said Andy Pollard, CEO of Axia Media Group.

“The new office will allow us to be closer to our clients and provide them with tailored financial solutions that meet their unique needs. We look forward to contributing to the vibrant business community in Dubai and the broader Middle East.”

Axia Media Group’s Dubai office will offer an array of specialized services designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses and individuals in the region. The accounting services will provide meticulous and comprehensive solutions, including bookkeeping, financial reporting and compliance services, ensuring that businesses maintain accurate financial records and adhere to regulatory requirements.

The tax advisory services will help clients navigate complex tax landscapes, optimize tax liabilities, and ensure compliance with local and international tax laws. This includes corporate tax planning, VAT advisory, and personal tax services.

In addition to accounting and tax advisory, Axia Media Group will deliver strategic business consultancy services to support organizational growth and efficiency. This includes market entry strategies, business process optimization, and strategic planning.

The risk management services will assist clients in identifying, assessing, and mitigating financial and operational risks. This includes developing risk management frameworks, conducting risk assessments, and implementing risk mitigation strategies.

The multi-jurisdictional financial planning services will provide comprehensive financial planning for clients with interests in multiple jurisdictions, including estate planning, wealth management, and cross-border financial structuring.

The Dubai office will be managed by Cain Kirby who brings extensive experience in financial services to the role. Cain has spent the past 11 years working in assurance roles within the Big 4 and top 10 practice firms, and most recently as a director in a multi-jurisdiction listed asset management firm.

Axia Media Group’s expansion into Dubai is part of a broader strategy to increase the global footprint and enhance its service offerings. The company has been actively expanding its operations worldwide, with recent openings in other key markets such as the US.

The Dubai office will play a crucial role in supporting the company’s long-term growth objectives and reinforcing its commitment to the Middle Eastern market.

“We understand the unique challenges and opportunities that businesses in the Middle East face,” added Andy Pollard.

“Our team in Dubai is dedicated to providing personalized and strategic financial solutions that drive success and growth for our clients. We are excited to bring our expertise and innovative approach to this vibrant region.”

Hotel occupancy rates across several Jordanian areas have declined during the third week of June 2025, reflecting negative indicators for the current tourism season, according to data issued by the Jordan Hotels Association (JHA) on Thursday.

In Amman, hotel occupancy dropped by 16 per cent compared to the previous week, with rates ranging between 42 and 28 per cent at most establishments, Al Mamlaka TV reported.

Five-star hotels in the capital recorded the highest occupancy rate at 42 per cent, followed by four-star hotels at 31 per cent and three-star hotels at 28 per cent.

The association attributed the decline to ongoing regional tensions and escalations, which have negatively impacted tourist activity and hotel occupancy, particularly in Amman, which typically receives visitors from diverse nationalities.

In the Dead Sea area, occupancy fell by 22 per cent compared to the previous week, with five-star hotels recording a rate of 25 per cent and four-star hotels at 18 per cent.

The JHA noted that Petra is among the “hardest-hit” areas due to its heavy reliance on European and international tourism.

Cancellation rates in the rose-red city have reached nearly 95 per cent, with the remaining bookings primarily made by tourists who had entered Jordan prior to the latest crisis.

No new tour groups have arrived since the escalation began, the JHA reported.

Five-star hotels in Petra reported an occupancy rate of just 9 per cent, while both four-star and three-star hotels recorded rates of 3 per cent.

Global communications platform Infobip has been recognized among the top 75 companies in Fortune’s inaugural ranking of Europe’s Most Innovative Companies for 2025. It holds the position of number 68, placing it in the top 25% of all listed companies. This distinction reflects Infobip’s ongoing commitment to advancing Europe’s IT sector and digital infrastructure through cutting-edge innovation.

The first Fortune Europe’s Most Innovative Companies list, created in collaboration with Statista, evaluated 300 companies from 21 countries and 16 industries based on innovation culture, product development, and process improvements.

Infobip is at the forefront of Europe’s digital transformation. Infobip participates in the IPCEI-CIS project, which aims to build the next-generation global communications platform, thereby reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness in the tech sector. Infobip’s involvement in the IPCEI-CIS project, along with partnerships with Deutsche Telekom AG, NVIDIA, Telefónica, and others, demonstrates its continuous commitment to progress with innovation.

Silvio Kutić, CEO at Infobip, said: “Being recognized among Europe’s Most Innovative companies by Fortune highlights our ongoing commitment to the cutting-edge. At Infobip, we foster an environment that values experimentation and collaboration, viewing failure as a stepping stone to innovation, which has enabled us to redefine omnichannel communications. As companies strive to enhance their engagement strategies, we frequently play the role of innovation executor, helping businesses across industries advance their conversational adoption journey and keep pace with AI innovation.”

Infobip’s technology powers customer engagement for leading brands, from enabling WhatsApp ride-booking for Uber in India to deploying advanced AI assistants for European fintech and retail leaders. The company’s omnichannel solutions help businesses worldwide deliver secure, personalized, and seamless customer experiences. Recent projects with customers like NEXT, Digitaleo, and AXA showcase the company’s innovative work with AI and RCS to elevate their engagement strategies. Infobip also drives industry dialogue through initiatives like the annual SHIFT Conference, which brings together developers and tech executives to explore the future of AI and digital transformation. This year’s event will be held from September 14-16 in Zadar, Croatia, with a focus on AI’s impact on software development and creativity.

Grethe Schepers, Lists Director, Europe at Fortune, said: “This list isn’t just about who’s ahead today—it’s a spotlight on the bold thinkers across Europe who are redefining industries from the inside out. Innovation isn’t just a buzzword here; it is a core and defining strength for Europe.”

Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier, is resuming direct flights to Abha, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, starting 15 July 2025. The seasonal route will operate three times a week until the end of September 2025, providing a convenient connection for travelers from Kuwait and across the region to one of Saudi Arabia’s most scenic and culturally rich destinations.

Known as the “Bride of the Mountain,” Abha offers a unique summer escape with cooler temperatures ranging between 25–30°C, a vibrant cultural heritage, and picturesque mountain landscapes. Located in the Aseer region at the southern end of the Red Sea, Abha serves as an ideal base to explore the natural beauty and elevated terrains of southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on the relaunch, Barathan Pasupathi, Chief Executive Officer of Jazeera Airways, said: “We are excited to bring back our seasonal service to the beautiful city of Abha—a destination that offers refreshing mountain breezes, breath taking natural landscapes, and a rich cultural heritage, making it an ideal getaway for summer travelers across the region. This route reflects our continued commitment to providing accessible and value-driven travel options to destinations beyond the ordinary. We extend our sincere thanks to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Saudi Air Connectivity Program for their strong collaboration and unwavering support in making this relaunch possible.”

Abha is the seventh destination served by Jazeera Airways in the Kingdom, further strengthening the airline’s footprint in Saudi Arabia. In addition to direct traffic from Kuwait, the airline continues to facilitate connections from across its wider network into the Kingdom via Kuwait.

On behalf of the Saudi Tourism Authority, a long-standing Jazeera Airways partner in KSA, Abdulkarim Aldarwish, President of MEA Markets, explained “We are pleased to announce the Jazeera Airways direct route from Kuwait to Abha, just in time for the peak summer season. Jazeera is a Key partner for Saudi destinations, and their continued investment in Saudi routes support our broader strategy to enhance air connectivity, we look forward to unlocking opportunities for travelers and business and promote Saudi destinations. The response to our “Color your Summer” campaign has been extremely positive particularly from Kuwait.”.

Majid Khan, CEO of Air Connectivity Program commented “Enhancing Air Connectivity to the beautiful Aseer region from international markets is very high priority to further achieve our tourism targets from key source markets. We are delighted with the new direct route from Kuwait – Abha. This new route will provide direct access to Kuwaiti tourists through our partner, Jazeera Airways. We look forward to further develop a close partnership with Jazeera Airways in coming years to develop direct routes into Saudi Arabia.”

Saudi Arabia’s $925 billion sovereign wealth fund PIF said it had launched a new unit that will be responsible to build and operate the facilities for the Expo 2030 world fair.

The company will be called Expo 2030 Riyadh Company, PIF said in a statement to Reuters, adding that the masterplan for the project covered an area of 6 million square meters to the north of the city, close to the future King Salman International Airport. Expo 2030 is set to take place the same year Saudi Arabia’s de-facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s economic diversification plan culminates.

Under the program, dubbed Vision 2030, the Gulf country is pouring billions in sectors including tourism to wean its economy off oil revenues.

Expo 2030 represents another large-scale building project that the kingdom has committed to on a strict deadline, even as its economy has been hamstrung by lower oil prices. The kingdom faces a widening budget deficit with the International Monetary Fund saying Riyadh needs a price of oil of over $90 per barrel to balance its books. Oil prices have jumped to mid-seventies in recent weeks as investors weighed the chance of supply disruptions from the Iran-Israel conflict.

Saudi Arabia is committed to hosting several other large international events in succession, each of which require significant spending on construction and development, including the 2029 Asian Winter Games and the 2034 World Cup.

Expo 2030 Riyadh is projected to attract more than 40 million visits and, once operational, it is expected to contribute around $5.6 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP, PIF said.