Saudi offers fun city, shopping mall projects
Saudi Arabia is offering 17 projects to investors in the Southern Jazan province, including the construction of a fun city and a shopping mall.
The projects are located in the south-western Abu Arish city and are part of a drive to attract investment to the province, Jazan's secretariat said.
The two projects include construction, operation and maintenance of a fun city and a shopping mall in Abu Arish, it said in a statement.
The other projects comprise a hospital, warehouses, a public park, a car park, a pedestrian bridge and the maintenance of shopping malls, it added.
(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)
(anoop.menon@lseg.com)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tahawul Tech
an hour ago
- Tahawul Tech
Autonomous AI agents Archives
"We are making the largest private sector investment in state history, while collaborating with Talen Energy to help power our infrastructure with carbon-free energy". Learn more about @amazon's energy investment below. #Amazon #TalenEnergy #tahawultech
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
How Dubai is becoming a key player in the ultra-luxe cruise boom
Once seen as the domain of retired couples enjoying their golden years playing bingo and card games, cruising is seeing a revival as it is being thrust into the world of luxury travel. Major companies are investing in state-of-the-art new ships while global travel players, such as Virgin, are entering the market, and luxury hotel brands, such as Ritz-Carlton, Aman and Four Seasons, are joining the movement. Cruise companies are responding to the gastronomy boom and offering the latest food trends, fine-tuning fitness and wellness travel, and responding to the demand for more sustainable travel, all while offering an increasing number of remote destinations off the more well-trodden cruise routes. Rebecca Ransom, MEA business development manager at Norwegian Cruise Line, said there is huge potential for growth in the luxury sector as cruising still accounts for just 2.7 per cent of the total travel market, according to the Cruise Lines International Association's 2025 State of the Cruise Industry Report. A recent Bloomberg report showed that the ultra-luxury cruise market is growing 2.5 times faster than the broader cruise industry, with projections estimating 1.5 million luxury cruisers by 2028. 'At Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), we're seeing similar patterns,' Ransom told LUXE. 'High-net-worth markets, such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have shown rapid and stable post-pandemic recovery, with strong growth in both booking volume and revenue. In contrast, markets with lower purchasing power have experienced a more gradual rebound.' To meet this rising demand, many cruise and hospitality brands are expanding their luxury offerings or launching entirely new luxury lines, including NCL. 'We introduced The Haven by Norwegian™ — our exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept — aboard the Norwegian Epic in 2011. This private enclave, accessible only by keycard, is designed for discerning travellers seeking a refined and secluded experience at sea.' The Haven features spacious, elegantly appointed suites, some accommodating up to eight guests, 24-hour butler and concierge services, a private sundeck and restaurant, and priority access to dining, entertainment and shore excursions. Available on just 15 NCL ships, it offers luxury cruising across Europe, Alaska and the Caribbean. It is time for an industry shake-up, she admits. 'In the eyes of many travellers, who are often times not very familiar with the industry, cruising is still considered very dusty and formal, resembling a Titanic-like experience with Captain's dinners, strict dress codes as well as promenades on the sun deck. 'There are still cruise lines that strive to deliver this kind of cruise experience, but there are also many cruise lines offering a more modern and relaxed experience. Even in the luxury segment.' Ransom says that the UAE, and Dubai in particular, is emerging as a key player in the global luxury cruise market. 'With its world-class port infrastructure, exceptional air connectivity, and reputation as a premier luxury destination, Dubai serves both as a strategic embarkation point and a marquee port of call for premium cruise itineraries across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa,' she said. 'While our presence in Dubai has so far been limited to select turnaround operations and port calls, we see significant opportunity to expand our deployment in the region. As demand for cruising continues to grow globally, we are actively exploring ways to enhance our footprint in the Gulf.' Sapna Aidasani, marketing director at Pluto Travels, says Covid had a huge impact on the industry, seeing smaller, more intimate cruises forging ahead with a focus on smaller yachts and boutique cruises. She said offerings have also diversified with many cruises now focusing on detox, mindfulness and wellness retreats onboard, and upgraded connectivity seeing a rise in longer itineraries allowing people to work while they cruise, as trends show the rise of high-net-worth travellers blending business and leisure travel. 'Luxury at sea has reached an entirely new level,' she said. 'With iconic five-star brands, like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons, entering the cruise industry, elegance now sails across oceans. These aren't just cruises — they're floating luxury hotels offering the same signature experiences and personalised service their guests expect on land.' The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has retractable marine platforms located at the aft of the yacht that serve as a private, ocean-level lounge that blurs the line between the vessel and the sea. 'It's not just a marina; it's a floating beach club designed to deliver an intimate, ocean-front luxury experience that rivals any private island,' added Aidasani. A nine-day cruise in the Mediterranean or Northern Europe and Baltic this summer departing from European ports will set travellers back at least $15,400. The brand's third superyacht, Luminara, which launches this summer, will have space for 452 passengers with experiences including 'diamond dust' facials. A 13-day African itinerary, starting from Cape Town, will cost travellers from $18,600, and a 14-night Asian tour from Hong Kong starts at $21,400. There is no end to the luxury offerings being created as hotels now battle for the sea. The 95-suite Four Seasons 1, opening next January with weeklong sailings to the likes of Antigua costing over $32,500 per suite, will go up to as much as $330,000 for the glass-enclosed, 10,000-square-foot penthouse for a week. And next summer, the Orient Express will launch its 220-meter, 54-suite vessel with a Guerlain spa, water sports and food by French Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. The cost of a three-night cruise around the Côte d'Azur will be $19,075 per cabin. Instead of focusing on the older generation in their retirement years, cruising has also varied its offerings in a way that has transformed its reach. From cruise weddings to wellness cruises, she says that networking events for high level business communities are also jumping aboard, while it is also appealing to the party crowd with the likes of Greek island hopping among the favourites. Dubai is benefiting from this growing luxury cruise market once the European season winds down between October and March, welcoming some of the world's top cruise liners during this period, with routes covering the UAE, Oman, and Qatar. Cruises range from short two-day sailings to immersive five to six day journeys, making them incredibly popular among travellers from Central Asia. 'In short, the luxury cruise market is not just docking in Dubai, it's investing in it,' Aidasani added. 'One of the most exclusive experiences for Dubai's elite is the luxury cruise route from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and onwards to Sir Bani Yas Island, a hidden gem. This island offers a unique mix of African-style wildlife safaris, ultra-luxury beach resorts, and private suite villas, all in one destination. These two-day cruises are redefining high-end leisure travel within the UAE, drawing a growing luxury footfall to the country's undiscovered coastal treasures.' Aleksei Makarov, co-founder of Octanta Maritime Academy, which has just opened a school in Dubai, said cruising today is not what it was a decade ago. 'The industry has undergone a quiet revolution, moving from mass tourism to highly curated, high-end travel. Guests now board ships for transformative experiences. Yacht-like vessels, boutique expedition cruises, and ultra-luxury riverboats have emerged as floating sanctuaries. With brands like Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons entering the space, the message is clear: cruising is no longer just a product — it's a lifestyle.' He told LUXE that the pandemic was a reset. 'Travellers began to seek privacy, safety, and meaning. Cruising, in its new form, offers all three. At the same time, younger generations have entered the space, demanding modern design, sustainability, and authenticity. The industry responded by reimagining the product: smaller ships, immersive itineraries, smarter tech, and elevated service standards.'
Zawya
2 hours ago
- Zawya
4 most popular cryptos in 2025: BlockDAG, FET, BNB and ADA
When you're looking for the most popular cryptos in 2025, choosing the right time to buy is crucial. The current market in mid-2025 has many options, but only some projects offer strong basics, real uses, and good prices to enter. Making the right choice today could bring big profits before this year finishes. This guide looks at four coins that have these important features. Contents1. BlockDAG: Presale Gem with Huge ROI Potential 2. FET: AI Combines with Real Blockchain Uses3. BNB: Usefulness Throughout the Binance System4. ADA: Research-Based Development at Large ScaleFinal Remarks! BlockDAG stands out with its huge returns and strong presale success. FET is building real AI applications that work in the real world. BNB keeps growing as Binance's main token. ADA, even though it moves slowly, is making steady progress. Each project brings special benefits and works for different kinds of buyers. Let's look at these four digital coins and see why they're some of the best choices you can make right now. 1. BlockDAG: Presale Gem with Huge ROI Potential BlockDAG stands as one of the best options when you're searching for the most popular cryptos in 2025. Having raised over $294.3 million and sold more than 22.1 billion BDAG tokens, this presale has created huge excitement. Currently in Batch 28, it offers a special rate of $0.0018 per coin, the cheapest price since Batch 1. With an expected listing price of $0.05, buyers could see returns of 2,670%. Early buyers have already earned gains of over 2,520%. Strong user numbers show its power. The X1 Miner mobile app attracts over 1.5 million daily users who mine BDAG straight from their phones. This app includes zero gas costs, daily rewards, referral bonuses, and streak prizes, making it easy for new users. BlockDAG's system works with EVM and supports simple smart contracts, letting many developers join. For safety, both CertiK and Halborn have checked and approved it. Business partnerships with Inter Milan and a planned NBA deal are building trust and getting attention. Some worry about price swings after launch and untested management, but current numbers show strong future potential. With the upcoming GO LIVE reveal, record-breaking presale and sports partnerships, BlockDAG (BDAG) is emerging as one of the most popular cryptos in 2025, offering good entry prices, verified safety checks, and real community support. 2. FET: AI Combines with Real Blockchain Uses (FET) brings together blockchain and artificial intelligence to handle real-world jobs in shipping, money, and IoT systems. This project lets users build AI-powered helpers that do independent deals and tasks. This method is getting interest from companies wanting to cut waste and improve efficiency. FET's network is already being tried in real applications, which gives it benefits over AI-token projects that only exist in theory. FET also gains from increasing focus on AI, which is growing fast in 2025. It keeps adding new connections while staying affordable for buyers. The system's focus on helper-based automation makes it special among current crypto choices. When you're looking for the most popular cryptos in 2025 with AI-powered uses, FET should be on your list. Its strong basics, growing developer work, and special focus make it a smart pick for buyers wanting practical uses and long-term growth. 3. BNB: Usefulness Throughout the Binance System BNB stays one of the strongest assets connected to real uses, working across Binance's exchange, Smart Chain, and services. People use it for trading discounts, staking, and system rewards. The Binance Smart Chain keeps hosting many applications, from DeFi to meme tokens, making BNB very active on-chain. With token burns cutting total supply, BNB also has a built-in value plan. Binance's worldwide reach gives BNB steady demand despite local rule challenges. It's also connected to many outside platforms, boosting its trading ease and access. For those who want stability with high usefulness, BNB remains among the most popular cryptos in 2025. While it might not give the biggest gains, its steady demand, huge system, and utility-first approach make it a reliable choice. Buyers seeking performance with less price swings often see BNB as a solid long-term holding. 4. ADA: Research-Based Development at Large Scale Cardano (ADA) uses a peer-reviewed, academic method for blockchain building. Unlike faster-moving projects, Cardano picks steady updates and formal research before adding upgrades. This method makes it more dependable for developers wanting predictability and stability. In 2025, ADA is pushing deeper into governance, smart contracts, and identity solutions. Its DeFi system, though still growing, is starting to see more user activity. Projects are appearing around real-world uses such as education and sustainability. While not focused on hype cycles, ADA stays active in areas where long-term blockchain solutions are needed. Its staking system also lets users earn passive income while supporting network operations. For those interested in the most popular cryptos in 2025 with solid foundations and a thoughtful roadmap, Cardano remains a worthy pick. It's especially attractive to long-term buyers focused on steady, secure growth over quick flips or speculation. Final Remarks! Picking the most popular cryptos in 2025 needs a mix of timing, usefulness, and real growth. BlockDAG offers a rare chance for early entry with a $0.0018 token price, 1.5 million daily users, $294.3 million raised, and a major launch coming with the GO LIVE reveal. FET is already using AI in practical ways, giving it strong real-world value. BNB remains the backbone of Binance's system with ongoing burns and wide usefulness across DeFi and trading. ADA, with its academic method and reliable upgrades, is perfect for long-term holding. Each of these four coins provides a unique advantage, making them smart choices for buyers. Add them to your watchlist if you're planning your next strategic move in crypto. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
