Latest news with #JustinCooke
The National
01-07-2025
- Business
- The National
'Education, lifestyle and security': New residents tell why they made UAE move
Globe-trotting residents fuelling a population boom in the UAE have told how new career opportunities, high quality schooling and the prospect of greater financial security and safety prompted them to set up home in the country. Newcomers drawn from as far afield as India, the UK and Denmark have opened up on their decision to seek out new horizons in the Emirates as an influx of overseas talent continues to spur economic growth. It was revealed this week that Abu Dhabi's population has now surpassed four million, fuelled by a 9 per cent increase to its workforce in 2024, while Dubai is primed to hit the same landmark figure this year. Sharjah's population grew from 1.4 million in 2015 to 1.8 million in 2022, the emirate's most recent census in 2023 revealed. 'Selling Saadiyat' Among those making the move are Justin and Jaime Cooke, a husband and wife who relocated with their two sons to Abu Dhabi in August 2024 from a countryside estate near Royal Tunbridge Wells in England. 'We had been considering leaving the UK for quite some time. While in many ways we had an idyllic life, we felt the need for change,' said Mr Cooke. After evaluating destinations as varied as Canada, California, the Balearic Islands and Dubai, it was Abu Dhabi that eventually ticked all the boxes for 'education, lifestyle, security, culture, business and economic security and opportunity, proximity to family, global connectivity'. Education proved decisive. 'Jaime was amazed by the education system here and the plethora of schools to choose from,' added Mr Cooke. That discovery was made even sweeter when they learned that their children's former head teacher in the UK is now running Brighton College Abu Dhabi. The family now lives on Saadiyat Island. 'We have swapped the lush green rolling hills of Kent for the idyllic white sands, turquoise waters, turtles, dolphins and mangroves of Saadiyat, the world's most concentrated cultural quarter,' they said. For Ms Cooke, the transition has also opened up new personal and professional avenues. 'Jaime has become a real estate broker very much 'Selling Saadiyat' and has already chalked up more than 100 million of sales,' said Mr Cooke. 'In between that she teaches Pilates... as well as DJ'ing at some of Abu Dhabi's coolest beach clubs under her moniker, DJ Cookie.' From Mumbai to Dubai Another newcomer banking on the city's property sector is Umang Lakhani, who arrived from Mumbai three months ago. 'I've never lived anywhere else, but I've travelled a lot,' he told The National. As a property and land broker, he has high hopes for his career, as he taps into one of the UAE's fastest-growing industries. In 2024, Dubai saw 226,000 real estate transactions valued at a record Dh761 billion, a 36 per cent jump in volume compared to the previous year. In June, a Deutsche Bank report showed Dubai has recorded the highest growth globally for city centre property prices per square metre over the past five years. While he is inspired by the career potential his new home holds, he said living here is not always easy. 'The most challenging thing here is expenses,' he said, although this won't deter him yet, as he also sees so many advantages to living here. 'There are days where I want to stay here forever … The people out here surprise me as they all live like one family.' Education sector a major draw While the UAE becomes a haven for the wealthy - the country is expected to attract a record 9,800 relocating millionaires this year alone, according to Henley & Partners Wealth Migration Report 2025 - it is also seeing people from all income brackets arrive. Take Mohammad Joun, a university student who moved from Karachi to Dubai in January. His decision was more practical. Initially intending to study in Germany, logistical hurdles shifted his plans. 'Dubai became a life saver, a very practical one,' he said. With a strong family network in the UAE, including grandparents and aunts, Dubai quickly became an obvious new choice. 'Living with my grandparents felt like the best decision,' he said. Though the adjustment was difficult at first, Mr Joun has settled into university life and enjoys the multicultural nature of the city. 'I now have friends from Sri Lanka, Singapore, Iran and Mauritania – along with many fellow Pakistani and Indian students. It's been a really enriching experience.' Still, the cost of living has been an eye-opener. 'Almost everything here is three to four times more expensive than back home,' he said, adding that his daily university commute between Sharjah and Dubai costs around Dh31, a big expense for a student. 'Managing finances here requires constant awareness.' 'Positively surprised' Anne Kidmose, originally from Denmark, has also experienced challenges since moving to Dubai in May from Tanzania with her husband and infant son. But this is mostly down to the summer heat and fewer opportunities to walk around the city. Otherwise, she's been 'positively surprised' so far. 'We just started our family," she said. 'We wanted to see the world and also try to move ahead with our lives. It's very family-friendly here. People help out a lot. Even though we've only been here for a few weeks, we've met people from all over the world.' Ms Kidmose has also been struck by the city's culture, despite global perceptions. 'People told me there is this conception about Dubai as a place of glitz and big cars and tall buildings. I guess that's also true, but what I've seen is there are also other cultural layers when you dig deeper.'
The National
01-07-2025
- Business
- The National
Embracing opportunity: New UAE residents explain why they made the move as population booms
The UAE has long been a magnet for expatriates seeking to broaden their horizons and seek new opportunities, with high levels of safety, all-year sunshine and tax-free lifestyles chief among the attractions. The influx of newcomers shows no signs of slowing down as the country experiences a population boom. It was revealed this week that Abu Dhabi's population has now surpassed four million, fuelled by a 9 per cent increase to its workforce in 2024, while Dubai is primed to hit the same landmark figure this year. Sharjah's population grew from 1.4 million in 2015 to 1.8 million in 2022, the emirate's most recent census in 2023 revealed. 'Selling Saadiyat' Among those making the move are Justin and Jaime Cooke, a husband and wife who relocated with their two sons to Abu Dhabi in August 2024 from a countryside estate near Royal Tunbridge Wells in England. 'We had been considering leaving the UK for quite some time. While in many ways we had an idyllic life, we felt the need for change,' said Mr Cooke. After evaluating destinations as varied as Canada, California, the Balearic Islands and Dubai, it was Abu Dhabi that eventually ticked all the boxes for 'education, lifestyle, security, culture, business and economic security and opportunity, proximity to family, global connectivity'. Education proved decisive. 'Jaime was amazed by the education system here and the plethora of schools to choose from,' added Mr Cooke. That discovery was made even sweeter when they learned that their children's former head teacher in the UK is now running Brighton College Abu Dhabi. The family now lives on Saadiyat Island. 'We have swapped the lush green rolling hills of Kent for the idyllic white sands, turquoise waters, turtles, dolphins and mangroves of Saadiyat, the world's most concentrated cultural quarter,' they said. For Ms Cooke, the transition has also opened up new personal and professional avenues. 'Jaime has become a real estate broker very much 'Selling Saadiyat' and has already chalked up more than 100 million of sales,' said Mr Cooke. 'In between that she teaches Pilates... as well as DJ'ing at some of Abu Dhabi's coolest beach clubs under her moniker, DJ Cookie.' From Mumbai to Dubai Another newcomer banking on the city's property sector is Umang Lakhani, who arrived from Mumbai three months ago. 'I've never lived anywhere else, but I've travelled a lot,' he told The National. As a property broker, he has high hopes for his career, as he taps into one of the UAE's fastest-growing industries. In 2024, Dubai saw 226,000 real estate transactions valued at a record Dh761 billion, a 36 per cent jump in volume compared to the previous year. In June, a Deutsche Bank report showed Dubai has recorded the highest growth globally for city centre property prices per square metre over the past five years. While he is inspired by the career potential his new home holds, he said living here is not always easy. 'The most challenging thing here is expenses,' he said, although this won't deter him yet, as he also sees so many advantages to living here. 'There are days where I want to stay here forever … The people out here surprise me as they all live like one family.' Education sector a major draw While the UAE becomes a haven for the wealthy - the country is expected to attract a record 9,800 relocating millionaires this year alone, according to Henley & Partners Wealth Migration Report 2025 - it is also seeing people from all income brackets arrive. Take Mohammad Joun, a university student who moved from Karachi to Dubai in January. His decision was more practical. Initially intending to study in Germany, logistical hurdles shifted his plans. 'Dubai became a life saver, a very practical one,' he said. With a strong family network in the UAE, including grandparents and aunts, Dubai quickly became an obvious new choice. 'Living with my grandparents felt like the best decision,' he said. Though the adjustment was difficult at first, Mr Joun has settled into university life and enjoys the multicultural nature of the city. 'I now have friends from Sri Lanka, Singapore, Iran and Mauritania – along with many fellow Pakistani and Indian students. It's been a really enriching experience.' Still, the cost of living has been an eye-opener. 'Almost everything here is three to four times more expensive than back home,' he said, adding that his daily university commute between Sharjah and Dubai costs around Dh31, a big expense for a student. 'Managing finances here requires constant awareness.' 'Positively surprised' Anne Kidmose, originally from Denmark, has also experienced challenges since moving to Dubai in May from Tanzania with her husband and infant son. But this is mostly down to the summer heat and fewer opportunities to walk around the city. Otherwise, she's been 'positively surprised' so far. 'We just started our family," she said. 'We wanted to see the world and also try to move ahead with our lives. It's very family-friendly here. People help out a lot. Even though we've only been here for a few weeks, we've met people from all over the world.' Ms Kidmose has also been struck by the city's culture, despite global perceptions. 'People told me there is this conception about Dubai as a place of glitz and big cars and tall buildings. I guess that's also true, but what I've seen is there are also other cultural layers when you dig deeper.'
Trade Arabia
04-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards opens for entry
World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards has opened entries for its 2025 programme. Individuals and organisations across the globe accelerating change and making an impactful contribution to sustainable travel and tourism are invited to enter free of charge. 30 categories covering all sectors of sustainable travel and tourism have been selected by the Awards Advisory Board of experts to reflect the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and net positive framework of People, Planet, Place, Prosperity and Partnerships. This year's programme sees the introduction of nine new categories to reflect the evolving landscape of sustainable tourism. These include peace impact, food and nutrition, indigenous community tourism, and guest experience. Using a simple set of criteria, entries must be submitted by June 30. These will then be analysed and vetted by students of sustainable business from the Nova School of Business and Economics, Lisbon, with the final shortlist approved by the Awards Advisory Board. Global voting – open to travel and tourism professionals – will run from July 14 to August 30. The winners will be announced at the 2nd annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Gala Ceremony, taking place at Terra, Expo City Dubai, on October 29, with the leaders in sustainable travel in attendance. Key Dates: Call for Entries: 2 May – June 30 Global Voting: 14 July – August 30 Gala Ceremony, Terra, Expo City Dubai: October 29 Justin Cooke, Executive Vice-President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, says: 'On behalf of the Awards, I am delighted to open submissions for our 2nd annual programme. We welcome entries from across the sustainable travel and hospitality sector. Our goal is to recognise and tell the stories of those accelerating change and making a sustainable impact on our planet for the next generation.' The Awards is run in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose partners and members represent over 66,000 hotels, 8 million rooms globally, 300 brands, and over 100 supply chain and strategic partners. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, says: 'I'm thrilled to see the categories for the 2025 World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards now live, it marks the exciting beginning of a journey to recognise those making a real difference across our industry. The hosting of this year's awards at Terra, Expo City Dubai, is a powerful symbol of our collective ambition to build a Net Positive future for the industry. I look forward to celebrating the visionaries and innovators who are leading the way towards a more sustainable world.' -TradeArabia News Service
Trade Arabia
23-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Sustainable Travel Awards renews partnership with Nova School
The World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards is partnering with Nova School of Business & Economics, Lisbon to further its commitment to net-positive tourism and hospitality. Students from Nova SBE's Sustainable Business program will participate in the judging process of the 2025 Awards, implementing sustainability criteria to assess nominations and identify organisations driving the sector towards a net positive future. Professor Graham Miller, Chair in Sustainability, will continue to provide strategic guidance to ensure the Awards remain relevant, credible, and aligned with global best practice. The 2025 programme covers the full spectrum of sustainable travel and tourism, from community initiatives to food sourcing and clean water. The Advisory Board selects categories reflecting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and net positive framework. The 2nd annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Gala Ceremony will take place at Terra, Expo City Dubai on 29 October 2025, with two Nova SBE students selected to attend. Justin Cooke, Executive Vice President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, says: 'Having a world-leading academic partner like Nova SBE involved in the nomination and assessment process adds both rigour and credibility to the Awards. But even more importantly, engaging the next generation of talent – those who will lead the charge towards a net positive future – is fundamental to our mission. We are proud to work alongside such an inspiring institution and its students.' Professor Graham Miller, Chair in Sustainability, Nova SBE, says: 'The Westmont Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at Nova SBE is delighted to partner again with the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards. More than ever we need to see showcase companies that are acting to make the world better. The involvement of students from Nova SBE is innovative in demonstrating the importance of sustainability to both current business leaders and students of tourism and hospitality.' Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, says: 'Sustainability is not just a goal – it is a necessity for the future of travel and hospitality. Hosting the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025 at Terra, Expo City Dubai, underscores the industry's commitment to driving meaningful change. Terra is a shining example of what is possible when innovation and sustainability come together, making it the perfect venue to celebrate those leading the way towards a Net Positive future.' Launched in 2023 at COP28 in Dubai, the Awards recognise and celebrate the stories of individuals and organisations making an impactful contribution to sustainable travel and tourism.
Trade Arabia
02-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards partners with FHS World
World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards has announced a strategic partnership with Future Hospitality Summit World (FHS World) to highlight the individuals and organisations driving the change towards a net-positive tourism and hospitality future. As part of the agreement, the 2nd annual World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards Gala Ceremony will take place in Dubai on 29 October, coinciding with the final day of FHS World 2025. Sustainable tourism leaders will gather for the VIP event at Terra, Expo City Dubai for the unveiling of the 2025 winners. The partnership between World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards and The Bench, the organiser of FHS World, underscores a shared commitment to sustainability and reflects the collective drive of the travel and hospitality sector to achieve net positivity. Justin Cooke, Executive Vice President, World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards, says: 'We are excited to partner with The Bench and FHS World. This collaboration enables us to showcase the best in sustainable travel and hospitality whilst engaging with the industry leaders shaping the future.' Taking place at Madinat Jumeirah from 27-29 October, FHS World 2025 will provide a global platform for the world's most influential hospitality investment decision-makers to connect, exchange knowledge and explore new partnerships. Jonathan Worsley, CEO, The Bench, organisers of FHS World, says: 'Sustainability has always been a key pillar of the FHS World agenda, and we're proud to partner with the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards to celebrate the leaders shaping a more sustainable industry and developing strategies to tackle the most urgent challenges on the road to Net Zero. This year at FHS World, we are also launching the Net Positive Solution Labs with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to drive sustainable innovation in the industry as part of our commitment to a greener future." The 2025 Awards programme covers the full spectrum of sustainable travel and tourism, from community initiatives and eco hotels to food sourcing and clean water. The winners will be revealed at the Gala Ceremony on 29 October. Launched in 2023 at COP28 in Dubai, the Awards serves to recognise, celebrate, and share the stories of individuals and organisations that are accelerating change and making an impactful contribution to sustainable travel and tourism. The inaugural ceremony, held in Belize in September 2024, brought together the global leaders in sustainable tourism. The Awards is run in partnership with the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, whose partners and members represent over 66,000 hotels, 8 million rooms globally, 300 brands, and over 100 supply chain and strategic partners. Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, says: 'Sustainability is not just a goal – it is a necessity for the future of travel and hospitality. Hosting the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2025 at Terra, Expo City Dubai, underscores the industry's commitment to driving meaningful change. Terra is a shining example of what is possible when innovation and sustainability come together, making it the perfect venue to celebrate those leading the way towards a Net Positive future.' -TradeArabia News Service
