Dubai welcomed 8.68 million international tourists in the first five months of 2025, up 7% year on year from 8.12 million in the same period in 2024. In May 2025 alone, the city welcomed 1.53 million tourists, according to the Tourism Performance Report (January–May 2025) issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The surge follows Dubai's outstanding tourism performance in 2024, when it welcomed 18.72 million international tourists, its second consecutive record-breaking year. Western Europe contributed the largest number of tourists to Dubai during this period, acc
Thailand's automotive sector reported 10.32% year-on-year production growth in May 2025, breaking a 21-month downward trend. Monthly vehicle output reached 139,186 units, up 33.51% from April. The rise was fuelled by significant increases in battery electric cars (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The production of BEVs increased by 641.16% year-on-year, while PHEV output increased by 130.49%. Passenger car production for domestic sales increased by 63.88%, while pickup passenger vehicle output increased by 138.65%. However, overall output in the first five months of 2025
Saudi Arabia achieved a significant milestone in 2024 by admitting 116 million tourists, exceeding its annual visitor target for the second consecutive year. This includes 29.7 million overseas arrivals, up 8% from the previous year, and 86.2 million domestic travels, which rose by 5%. The government had already exceeded its original objective of 100 million tourists by 2023, considerably ahead of the 2030 date. A new, more ambitious aim has been set: 150 million yearly tourists by 2030, with 70 million international and 80 million domestic visitors. Tourism spending reached SAR 283.8 b
India has emerged as Asia-Pacific's strongest office real estate market, owing to a dramatic increase in lease sentiment across all categories. According to CBRE's most recent Asia-Pacific Market Sentiment Survey, India is one of the few APAC countries with sentiment indexes for office, retail, and industrial & logistics all crossing neutral 50%, showing broad-based market strength. The office sector has demonstrated extraordinary growth. Between September 2024 and June 2025, sentiment in India rose beyond 70%, indicating increased confidence in leasing activities. The country has now
Sania Mirza, a former Indian tennis star, joined thousands of participants in Abu Dhabi as the United Arab Emirates celebrated International Yoga Day with large-scale events throughout the country. The primary event in the capital was hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), which was organised by the Indian Embassy in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Beginning at 10 a.m., the session drew yoga practitioners of different ages, backgrounds, and levels of expertise. Sania Mirza's presence fuelled the enthusiasm, emphasising the day's message of wellness and c
Singapore has officially launched its first seagrass restoration project, aiming to conserve coastal habitats and enhance marine biodiversity. On May 29, a team of researchers began transplanting seagrass at East Coast Park, and the plants were later moved to Sisters' Islands. This marks the start of a national effort to better understand seagrass reproduction and develop sustainable restoration strategies. The project, which began in September 2024, is funded by OCBC Bank and co-led by Dr Samantha Lai of the National Parks Board and Dr Ow Yan Xiang of the National University of Singapore.
Gulf News has launched a statewide Summer Road Safety Campaign in response to the UAE's current high temperatures. While the astronomical start of summer is still a few days away, temperatures have already risen to the mid-40s Celsius, posing new issues for motorists. This promotion will run until the end of July in collaboration with Yango, SHIFT Car Rental, and Autotrust. The project aims to educate the public about the vital safety precautions that must be taken during the peak summer months. It provides instructive articles and videos about vehicle maintenance, driver fatigue, and traf
Blaise Metreweli has been named as the new chief of the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, making her the first woman to lead the organisation in its 116-year history. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the action, describing it as historic and significant. Metreweli, 47, has been with MI6 since 1999 and was most recently Director General for Technology and Innovation, a position known internally as 'Q'. She formerly served as a director at MI5, the UK's domestic security organisation. She will officially succeed Sir Richard Moore in the autumn. The MI6 leader, also known as 'C',
India seeks to strengthen defence ties with Japan by transferring superior technology in fighter jets, submarines, and radar systems. The recent meeting between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani in New Delhi was a significant step forward in bilateral military cooperation. Both sides emphasised maintaining sea lines of communication, citing regional security concerns, particularly China's expanding military posture. A proposed framework called "Japan-India Defence Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Region" (JIDIP) seeks to improve strategic colla
Moscow is intensifying efforts to position itself as a top tourism destination for visitors from the United Arab Emirates. The city has set a bold goal of attracting 50 million visitors per year by 2030, with the UAE recognised as a key market. This cooperation seeks to strengthen cultural, economic, and tourism collaborations, ultimately improving Moscow's international standing. In the first nine months of last year, more than 40,000 Emirati travellers visited Moscow. This marks a significant increase from only 5,000 visitors in 2022. The increase in numbers demonstrates the effectivenes