Latest news with #Milojevic
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Hotels Respond To The Demand For Wellness Travel
TAFER As interest in wellness-focused travel continues to rise, hospitality companies are evolving their offerings to meet changing consumer preferences. TAFER Hotels & Resorts, a Mexico-based operator of luxury all-inclusive properties, is responding with the return of its annual Wellness Month this June—an initiative now in its fourth year that reflects broader industry trends toward immersive, health-oriented travel experiences. 'Wellness travel has grown exponentially over the past few years,' said Sasa Milojevic, Chief Operating Officer at TAFER. 'Guests are looking for experiences that support mental, physical, and emotional well-being, not just typical beach vacations.' The initiative spans all of TAFER's properties in Los Cabos, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and the Riviera Maya, offering a range of programming that includes fitness classes, healthy dining options, mindfulness activities, and workshops. While the wellness category is not new, the scale and depth of TAFER's approach highlights how hospitality brands are differentiating themselves in a competitive market. Nutrition cooking class at Garza Blanca Puerto Vallarta. Though marketed broadly, the programming has found particular resonance with younger professionals and wellness-focused travelers, especially women. 'We've seen rising interest from solo travelers and multi-generational families, but younger demographics—particularly wellness-minded women—are among the most engaged,' said Milojevic. 'That said, our goal is inclusivity, from first-time wellness travelers to returning guests.' TAFER's data and guest feedback suggest travelers are less interested in highly regimented wellness itineraries and more drawn to unstructured, locally inspired experiences. Milojevic pointed to offerings like beachfront yoga, plant-based cooking classes, and nature hikes as examples of this shift toward authenticity and simplicity. Yoga By TAFER's Signature Orange Tree The timing of Wellness Month in June is intentional. 'It marks the beginning of summer, which is often associated with renewal and personal reset,' Milojevic noted. 'It also aligns with favorable weather conditions across our destinations, making it ideal for outdoor programming.' The 2025 iteration will again include wellness-related culinary options, such as cold-pressed juice stations, vegan dining menus, and healthy cooking demonstrations using local ingredients. On the fitness side, guests will have access to guided activities ranging from Zumba and pilates to paddleboard yoga and meditation. Additional elements include spa workshops, hydrotherapy circuits, and evening rituals focused on relaxation and sleep quality. Paddleboard yoga at Garza Blanca Puerto Vallarta TAFER's Wellness Month reflects a broader trend within the hospitality sector: the movement toward purpose-driven, experiential travel. While traditional vacation models remain popular, guests are increasingly prioritizing value beyond luxury—seeking programs that support health, connection, and personal growth. 'Wellness is no longer a niche,' said Milojevic. 'It's becoming a core expectation for a growing segment of travelers.' TAFER's approach aligns with industry data showing wellness tourism is projected to grow faster than overall tourism in the next five years. According to the Global Wellness Institute, the sector is expected to surpass $1 trillion globally by 2027. By integrating wellness into its all-inclusive offerings, TAFER is positioning itself to capture a share of this expanding market—while also using its properties as platforms for differentiated guest experiences.
The National
27-03-2025
- Sport
- The National
Next UAE coach: Five candidates to succeed Paulo Bento
The UAE Football Association took the drastic decision to sack Paulo Bento on Wednesday in the immediate aftermath of a 2-1 win over North Korea that kept their hopes of automatic World Cup qualification alive. The national team have two games left to close a four-point deficit to Uzbekistan, meaning they need maximum points from their home game against the Uzbeks and their final Group A clash away to Kyrgyzstan. Both of those games take place in early June and the team will have a new coach in the dugout after Bento's mixed spell was brought to a premature end. The 55-year-old Portuguese was said to be furious with the timing of the decision, but the UAE FA clearly feel the team will have a better chance of pulling off a late qualification miracle under new leadership. Should they limp home in third or fourth place they will still have a chance to reach the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico via a complex fourth round of qualifying or a subsequent inter-confederation play-off. Given the proximity of the fixtures, it would seem prudent to look close to home so that whoever arrives will do so with existing knowledge of the domestic talent pool. However, after a colourful cast of nine coaches in the past eight years since the stability of Mahdi Ali's five-year tenure, anything could happen. Here are five candidates likely to be in the running. Nationality: Serbian; Age: 42; Current job: Al Wasl The Serb has already made his mark on UAE football when he led Al Wasl to a Pro League and President's Cup double last season. That ended a 17-year wait for major domestic silverware with the Dubai club last tasting success in 2007 when they also did the double. The fact that the UAE's next game against Uzbekistan is on June 5 – one month after the end of the current Pro League campaign – opens the door for a candidate in employment to see out the 2024-25 season before switching focus to the international game. Milojevic has a proven track record of success having won silverware in Sweden, Serbia and the UAE, and with Wasl having had a dip in performances this season, it might be an opportune moment to part ways. Wasl and UAE forward Fabio De Lima has played some of his best football under Milojevic at club level. Nationality: Romanian; Age: 55; Current job: Sharjah Strangely for a coach who has probably upset every single fan base in the country at some point, the combative Romanian could be the unifying figure the UAE are looking for. Olariou certainly has the charisma and force of personality to quickly mould a side in his image - potentially a precious commodity given the urgent need for results. Olariou has won silverware with three different UAE clubs – Al Ain, Shabab Al Ahli and his current employers Sharjah. Having been back in UAE football since 2021, few could boast as deep a knowledge of the pool of players available to the national team. Nationality: Argentinian; Age: 49; Current job: Unattached A legendary striker in his playing days, Crespo might be a quick and easy appointment if he was indeed interested in the national team post. The Argentine has been taking some time out since leaving Al Ain last December and is currently a free agent. In the past he has shown an ability to galvanise a group of players and get results quickly. In 2022 he joined Qatari club Al Duhail and delivered a domestic treble in his first and only full season in charge. He also led them to the last four in Asia, a feat he'd surpass in his next job. Crespo joined Al Ain in November 2023 and by the end of the season had orchestrated the club's first continental crown for 21 years. He showed a clear ability to produce results in big one-off games as the cream of Saudi football was swept aside. However, the way his reign unravelled in the winter could count against him. Nationality: Portuguese; Age: 54; Current job: Shabab Al Ahli The Portuguese has been a revelation at Shabab Al Ahli this season with the club currently on for a domestic treble. Sousa, a silky midfielder in his playing days, has posted a 71 per cent win rate in guiding them to top spot in the league – they are currently seven points clear – as well as the final of the UAE League Cup and semi-finals of the President's Cup. Sousa has had a couple of previous tastes of the international game having been assistant to Carlos Queiroz with his native Portugal, and also in a disappointing stint with the Poland national team in 2021. Luring him away from his club might prove difficult, but the fact the national team's next fixtures come at the end of the domestic season might offer a glimmer of hope. Nationality: Emirati; Age: 59; Current job: Unattached Ali and his signature red baseball cap were synonymous with a golden generation for the UAE national team in which the likes of Omar Abdulrahman, Ali Mabkhout and Ahmed Khalil dazzled in regional competitions but ultimately failed to help the nation achieve the dream of competing at a second World Cup finals and first since 1990. Ali is thought to retain admirers in the corridors of power in UAE football, which is hardly a surprise given his previous stint in charge delivered the 2013 Gulf Cup and featured a thrilling run to third place at the 2015 Asian Cup. He won domestic silverware with Shabab Al Ahli post-national team, but has now been absent from front-line management since 2022.
The National
19-02-2025
- Sport
- The National
‘Proud' Milos Milojevic wants to repay Al Wasl fans' faith by making AFC Champions League finals phase
Milos Milojevic might have been forgiven for suffering from an inferiority complex at Zabeel Stadium on Tuesday evening. In the opposition dugout was Jorge Jesus, the lavishly remunerated coach who led Al Hilal to a record-breaking season last term, and who has one of Asia's most loaded squads at his disposal. In the stand behind him sat Herve Renard, the much-loved coach of the Saudi Arabian national team. Even Paulo Bento was there. The Portuguese coach has become rather well appreciated himself having overseen the UAE's 5-0 thrashing of Qatar in the most recent round of World Cup qualifying. Life for Milojevic, by contrast, has become a struggle. His Al Wasl side have fallen short of the excellence that had become their standard in winning a domestic double last season. They have muddled through to the next round of the AFC Champions League, with a tie to come against Al Sadd of Qatar next. It has become clear, especially when faced with Saudi opposition, that they are trying to fight against tanks when armed only with pea-shooters. Judged by the reception he got ahead of kick off against Hilal, though, there are few managers going around with a higher approval rating than Milojevic. The Ultras Junoon, the Wasl fans who pride themselves on being the most creative club around when it comes to pre-match choreography, excelled themselves again. Their tifo was a tribute to the manager. It included a handmade painting of Milojevic, which drew a broad smile from the man himself, as well as the Serbian word 'Continuity' spelled out in Cyrillic script in the stand. There was also a separate sign in the manager's native language, on a Serbian flag, which emphasised their backing for the manager. Milojevic was bashful about the display, but grateful. 'I gasped when I saw this,' he said after a 2-0 loss to Hilal. 'This is not usually done with coaches. I would prefer they would emphasise the importance of the team and players. 'On one hand I am very proud and very happy, but on the other it puts a lot of responsibility and pressure on me. I have a very competitive mindset and when I see something like that, it feels like it puts everything on my back. 'Thanks to God, I am at my best when there is a lot of pressure. I hope we can make them more happy, because tonight we didn't win. But I am proud, and feel a lot of responsibility to rise to a big challenge. 'Last year they had put [a display] saying: 'You are standing in front of big heritage.' I saw how it was written, in Cyrillic, and this one was about continuity.' Initially, Wasl's players responded courageously to the backing of their fans. Playing against arguably Asia's leading side at present, they hit the post twice – first through Caio Canedo, then Fabio Da Lima – in a rapid start to the game. Marcos Leonardo bundled home from a yard out to open the scoring for Hilal after 13 minutes, and the away side gradually brought their power to bear. Wasl's chances of a comeback were ended at the start of the second half when Salem Al Dawsari tapped in Hilal's second. Da Lima lashed a shot against the crossbar straight after, and Joao Pedro later had the ball in the net but for Wasl it was ruled out for offside. The 2-0 loss was the second in recent weeks to a star-laden Saudi opposition. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice when they lost 4-0 to Al Nassr earlier in the month, but Milojevic was cheered by his side's endeavor against Hilal. 'For 30 minutes we played football over the level that we have shown this year,' Milojevic said. 'We played football that, personally, I like. Now my headache is how to get players to play like this every game in the league, the cup, and in the upcoming games in the Champions League.' The result meant Wasl finished fifth in the opening round. That means they will face Al Sadd, the Qatari side with whom they drew in the group phase, in the last 16. The winners of that will advance to the new, eight-team finals phase of the Champions League, to be played in Jeddah from April 25 to May 4. 'They signed a player [Brazilian forward Claudinho] from Zenit [St Petersburg] recently which has made a big impact on a team that was already good and well organised,' Milojevic said of Al Sadd. 'They have played a long time together and they know how to play. 'It is very simple: if we want to win and go through to the final tournament, we need to play two top games. Games on the level of the Super Cup final, and then I would say five percent more.'
