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Khaleej Times
7 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: How ‘multi-country itineraries' are driving travel to Middle East
Travellers are now increasingly seeking 'multi-country itineraries' where they can experience both the region's rich traditions and its modern developments. This trend is being observed in light of the newly released ATM Travel Trends Report 2025, compiled by Tourism Economics for Arabian Travel Market (ATM). The report forecasts that tourism spending in the Middle East will reach nearly US$350 billion by 2030 — a 50 per cent increase from 2024 levels. Travel expenditure in the region is expected to exceed 2019 levels by 54 per cent this year alone, with an anticipated annual growth rate of over 7 per cent between 2025 and 2030. The report underlined several key trends reshaping the sector: the surge in business and luxury travel, the boom in regional sports tourism, and a marked shift toward premium, experience-based travel. Curated experiences 'Travellers are prioritising unique, curated experiences — be it luxury stays, cultural immersions, or adventure activities — over traditional itineraries, and we're tailoring our packages to meet this growing preference,' said Raheesh Babu, COO of The UAE remains a standout destination, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi leading in luxury, entertainment, and family experiences. Meanwhile, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah are gaining popularity for their nature-driven and wellness getaways. In Saudi Arabia, cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla are attracting premium and business travelers through a mix of modern hospitality and heritage tourism, while Oman's Muscat and Salalah and Qatar's Doha are also seeing strong demand thanks to scenic beauty, luxury infrastructure, and cultural offerings. 'Dubai remains a top choice, particularly for its blend of urban luxury, family attractions, and beach resorts,' said Shilpa Mahtani, Co-founder and Managing Director of bnbme holiday homes by Hoteliers. 'Abu Dhabi is gaining traction among culture-focused travelers due to Louvre Abu Dhabi, Qasr Al Watan, and eco-resorts on Saadiyat Island. Saudi Arabia is on the rise and we are seeing that as a huge growing tourism market. Projects like AlUla, NEOM, and the Red Sea Project are attracting adventurous and heritage-driven travelers.' Mahtani noted that Vision 2030 is reshaping interest across the region. 'We now include accommodation in Saudi destinations like Riyadh, which entails our concierge services and travel planning. The UAE's diversification push means more unique offerings in places like Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, which we recommend for outdoor and heritage-rich escapes. We are advising clients to explore multi-country itineraries that showcase both traditional and futuristic aspects of the Middle East.' Expanding air connectivity Air connectivity is also set to expand dramatically. The region's four largest carriers — Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Saudia — have collectively ordered nearly 780 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, underscoring the Middle East's ambition to become a global aviation hub. 'Regional travel trends are strongly shaping offerings. We're actively promoting emerging destinations such as AlUla, Red Sea, Aseer, Riyadh, Doha and Salalah, and curating packages that align with cultural, adventure, and heritage tourism,' added Babu. 'These national strategies are expanding demand beyond traditional hubs, and we're adapting our recommendations to match traveler interest,' he added. As per the report, inbound tourism to the Middle East is projected to grow 13 per cent annually through 2030, while outbound business travel is expected to rise by 9 per cent per year. European countries account for half of all leisure travel to the region, with India and the UK leading as top inbound markets, followed by China, which is expected to see a 130 per cent surge in leisure spending by 2030. Additionally, tourism nights from Asia Pacific and African visitors are expected to more than double. 'Travellers drawn to the Middle East tend to spend more on travel overall, nearly 60 per cent habitually spending on luxury experiences while travelling, compared to under 40 per cent among travellers who favour other destinations,' said Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market. With 85 per cent of the region's tourism growth driven by international visitors, demand for high-end ground transport is also climbing. The chauffeur-driven transport sector anticipates a 25–30 per cent rise in airport transfer bookings, especially during holiday and festive seasons. 'We're witnessing a sharp surge in bookings for in-bound airport transfers and intercity travels,' said Soham Shah, Founder and CEO of SelfDrive Mobility. 'Travellers are increasingly opting for premium, professionally managed transport that offers comfort, reliability, and a hassle-free experience across the Emirates.'
Mint
24-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
How to manage your dog's shedding this summer
Every morning, I wake to a fresh layer of golden fuzz covering the floor. Musafir, our golden retriever, is shedding with great enthusiasm. If you're a pet parent in India right now, chances are your home looks similar and you're wondering how to manage the shedding. Summer shedding is natural. Most dogs shed to some degree year-round, but you'll notice a marked increase when the weather changes. As temperatures rise, dogs lose their winter coats. This seasonal shedding helps them adapt to warmer weather. While we can't stop the shedding, we can manage it. Also read: How to safely enjoy your pet's day at the beach One of the simplest, most effective ways to deal with shedding is brushing. Regular brushing removes loose fur, reduces tangles, and helps distribute natural oils across your pet's coat. The type of brush and frequency will vary depending on your dog's breed and coat type. For double-coated breeds like golden retrievers, huskies and German shepherds, a slicker brush or an undercoat rake used daily or every other day during the shedding season works wonders. These breeds have a dense undercoat that sheds in clumps, and tools designed specifically to reach that layer make a huge difference. Short-haired breeds such as beagles or dachshunds benefit from a rubber curry brush or a grooming glove. Poodles and other curly coated dogs don't shed much but still require grooming to prevent matting—use a pin brush or a comb a few times a week. Vacuuming is another way of dealing with the fur. Invest in a vacuum cleaner with a good pet hair attachment and use it frequently. Wash cushion covers, throws and rugs often. You might also consider adding omega oil supplements to your pet's diet, after consulting your vet. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help support skin health and coat condition, reducing dryness and dandruff, both of which can exacerbate shedding. Of course, results aren't immediate; it takes a few weeks of regular use for the effects to show. The summer shedding phase can last from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on your dog's breed, age, and health. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors are influenced by seasonal changes and natural light, while those kept primarily indoors in air-conditioned environments may shed more year-round. If your pet's shedding seems excessive, or if it's accompanied by bald spots, itching, redness or any signs of discomfort, it's important to dig deeper. Skin infections, allergies, hormonal imbalances or parasitic infestations can all cause abnormal shedding or poor coat quality. In India, tick-borne illnesses such as ehrlichiosis or babesiosis can also affect skin and coat health. If in doubt, visit your vet for a thorough checkup. This brings me to Ella, a golden retriever I recently met. Her parent, frustrated with her summer shedding, had shaved her coat down to the skin. It's a common enough reaction, driven by the belief that removing fur will help dogs feel cooler and reduce shedding. Unfortunately, it does neither. Shaving a double-coated dog can cause more harm than good. Their coat is designed to provide insulation—it keeps them warm in winter and cool in summer by regulating body temperature and protecting the skin from the sun. When you shave it, you disrupt this natural process. What's more, the undercoat often grows back faster and denser than the topcoat, leading to permanent damage to coat texture. It also increases the risk of sunburn and skin irritation. Instead of shaving, focus on helping your dog stay cool in other ways. Provide plenty of fresh water, ensure there are shaded spots or cool indoor areas for them to rest and avoid walks during the hottest parts of the day. Fur on the sofa, on your clothes or in your morning tea can be frustrating, but is part of the package when you have a pet, and can be managed easily. Nameeta Nadkarni is a veterinary soft tissue surgeon and pet blogger from Mumbai. Also read: Monsoon pet travel guide: hikes, tips and essentials
Express Tribune
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
From folktales to frontlines
Arts and music have always had a close relationship with resistance and revolution. One can see it in popular anthems which wake people up to resist authoritarian governments, societal injustices or merely understand their rights. For Sindhi lyricist and vocalist Amjad Mirani, music serves the same purpose. "Music is such an art form that if we don't use it for resistance and revolution, it's useless," he says. Abri to Karachi Born in a small village Abri, nearly 20 kilometres from Larkana, Amjad moved to Larkana in 2017 and then to Karachi in 2023. While the 21-year-old started making music in 2021, he spent his childhood listening to Sindhi folk tales and traditional music. These stories became deeply embedded into his core. "I was surrounded by the stories of Sassui, Marvi and everyone, all the folk tales, in my village. Sindhi poetry inspired me a lot. And as I grew up, I started reading more and then eventually pursued it." Even though Amjad had been releasing songs for a few years with Kaashi Haider serving as his first music producer (they continue to work together till this day), he realised he should take music seriously once he moved to Karachi. And his collaborations with Sindhi rapper and music producer Babar Mangi were the perfect way of doing so. Together, the duo has released many songs together – from Enda Enda, Lapata, and Musafir to Busin ja Dhika, Hayati and Sada Marhon. "We work well together," says Amjad. "He has his own ideas and melodies. I have my own. So, when we sit together, interesting combinations come out." The two have several more tracks they intend to release in the future. Amjad shares that his goal is to spread Sindhi music, arts and folklore globally and even collaborate with artists of other cultures, especially in South Asia. But right now, he is happy that Sindhi arts and music are slowly getting a bit of recognition in the Pakistani mainstream. He himself has performed in Lahooti Melo and Nescafe Basement, and his music has won hearts among the Indian audience online as well. "The interest is there and people appreciate it. If people keep demanding it, it will spread even further and people will know what our music is." Reality and Resistance For Amjad, music is a "powerful tool for political activism." Through music, he believes he can talk about people's issues and resistance, create awareness, and express himself. "As a Sindhi musician, it's our duty to use our music to talk about what we want as a people, as well as what the river needs and how the river feels. We have to talk about the pain of the Indus River. It is important to me that I use my voice for these purposes." Be it through sombre or mellow melodies or in a fun, quirky satirical way, Amjad's music and poetry definitely presents the ground realities of Sindh. "Satire works well because people enjoy the humorous touch and find it relatable." Most often, when artists born with a silver spoon talk about such ideas, it seems disingenuous since it becomes obvious they have no connection to the issues. The audience understands, whether we admit or not, that it's being done for clout. But with artists such as Amjad, one can tell they have lived through the experiences they talk about in their art. His music becomes a diary of the times he's lived in. But while Amjad is a proponent of celebrating Sindhi culture and values, he also sees a need for balance. Inevitably, a diary of an era cannot be full of blind optimism and collective delusion of grandeur but rather chapters of present realities combined with hope and positivity. "In our songs, we sing about how we are a peaceful people, Sindh is the land of peace and there is only love, no hate among us; be it Hindu, Muslim or anyone, we all live together here," he says. "But when we look at Sindh closely, we see cases of forced conversions and religious extremism. We should also show that in our arts. Why do we only need to celebrate ourselves and say we are peaceful and there's religious harmony in Sindh?" Amjad cites an example of his work. On one hand, he wrote a song called Sada Marhon where he spoke about how Sindh is peaceful and Sindhis celebrate both Eid and Holi together. On the other hand, he wrote Pachaar, where he spoke about the ground realities of Sindh – forced conversions, censorship, wadera system, and the violence conducted due to the caste system. "In Pachaar, I spoke about how Sindh is being strangled with these issues. So I feel we need to celebrate the values but also not ignore the reality of our society." While Amjad can write and sing, he primarily considers himself a writer and enjoys losing himself in the world of poetry. He says he enjoys when he can express himself sincerely. Of course, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai remains a big influence on him. He sings praises of the Sindhi icon who "spoke about women's freedom and rights before the word 'feminism' even existed." In fact, Amjad's latest offering is called Soormi, and is inspired by the lives of three of the seven queens of Sindh: Sassui, Suhni and Marvi. Amjad says the song is for the women who resist, walk against the world for their rights and love their land." When asked what music is to him, Amjad says, "To me, music is life. It is a way of expressing myself, all my emotions, and the stories of my land, my people, my language and my river." And based on the extensive body of work he has built over the last few years, anyone can testify what he says rings true.
News18
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Sameera Reddy's Fitness Coach Reveals Her Tailored Fat Loss Program
Last Updated: Sameera Reddy's fitness coach, Ashwyn Michael Barreto, talked in detail about the training program, including her 'no-fad' diet. Sameera Reddy, known for her roles in films such as Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Race and Musafir, had an incredible weight loss journey. The actress has never stopped documenting her journey on social media, from weighing over 90 kg to shedding kilos within a few years and living a healthy life. Wondering what helped her through this process? According to her fitness coach, Ashwyn Michael Barreto, she follows a very meticulously tailored programme based on her body's needs. In a candid conversation, Sameera Reddy 's fitness coach, Ashwyn Michael Barreto, CEO and co-founder of ThatLifestyleCoach (TLC) in Goa, revealed that the actress initially took part in various rigorous training programmes. However, they were not meeting her body's demands. She turned to professional training programmes that boosted her resilience, energy, and confidence. 'Sameera and I began working together when she realised her previous approaches—like Pilates, yoga, and running—weren't delivering the results she hoped for. Despite her consistent, rigorous training, she struggled with fat loss and felt frustrated. That's when she sought professional help instead of continuing on her own," Barreto told the Indian Express. Barreto revealed that his structured wellness programme, which worked for Sameera's body since 2022, was made after assessing her age, lifestyle, past training history, dietary methods, and hormonal challenges. 'Sameera's programme is tailored to her energy levels and her history of stiffness and fat retention," he added. During the initial four weeks, the diva focused on mastering movement patterns, establishing proper form and technique to practise those movements regularly, boosting proprioception (body awareness), enhancing joint stability and mobility, and nurturing healthy eating habits in her lifestyle. He shared, 'Weeks five to eight transitioned into strength and hypertrophy (muscle growth), with progressive overload and a protein-rich diet to support recovery and lean muscle development." By the ninth week, the routine led to changes in her body, including improved muscle tone and posture and noticeable fat loss. Talking about her training programme, Barreto mentioned that it includes- Strength buildup three times per week through exercises such as deadlifts, squats, TRX rows, and presses that focus on the whole body and core. High-energy functional interval training once every week, concentrating on core stability and full-body agility. Daily work on mobility and flexibility to improve posture and prevent injuries. Low-impact cardio rather than high-impact moves like jumping and sprinting. The workout focused heavily on unilateral stability in the first month. Key Aspects Of Sameera's Diet Barreto shared, 'Like you may have guessed, Sameera follows a high-protein, high-fibre, and balanced nutrition plan to support her training and recovery," adding, 'We've also tailored her plan to include supplements based on her blood work to address specific deficiencies." 'Her nutrition is designed to be sustainable, such that it is built around real, whole foods rather than short-term fixes. It is adjusted based on activity levels, hormonal health, and recovery, and flexible such that nothing is entirely off-limits unless it's ultra-processed and devoid of nutritional value," said the fitness coach. He mentioned that earlier, Reddy tried cutting out carbs like rice, bread and all-purpose flour from her diet, but these turned out counterproductive for her energy levels and overall progress. 'We encourage mindful eating, not a reward-restriction cycle. She enjoys all foods in moderation, with portion control, and avoids unnecessary ultra-processed foods," Barreto elaborated. According to Barreto, her 'no-fad' diet includes – Lean proteins like chicken, fish, eggs, paneer, and tofu for muscle recovery and strength. Complex carbohydrates like quinoa, brown rice, and sweet potatoes to fuel her intensive exercises. Healthy fats like nuts, seeds, and avocado to maintain a balance of hormones and reduce inflammation. Antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory foods to manage oxidative stress and elevated cortisol levels. The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health, fashion, travel, food, and culture — with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : health and fitness lifestyle Sameera Reddy Weight Loss Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: May 05, 2025, 13:29 IST News lifestyle » health-and-fitness Sameera Reddy's Fitness Coach Reveals Her Tailored Fat Loss Program
Scroll.in
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Ramachandra Guha: In wake of Pahalgam, recalling Nehru's advice on resisting Pakistan's provocations
Surely the most noble of human emotions is to find hope in the midst of tragedy. One of the tourists killed by the terrorists in Pahalgam was N Ramachandran from Kerala. On her return home, his daughter, Arathy Sarath, spoke movingly of the succour she found from two young men in the wake of her suffering. The Hindu newspaper quoted Sarath as saying: 'Musafir and another local driver Sameer were with me all through, including when I stood outside the morgue till 3 am. They treated me like a younger sister. Kashmir has now given me two brothers.' As reports in other papers confirm, Musafir and Sameer were entirely representative of how Kashmir, as a whole, reacted to the barbarism that claimed so many innocent lives. Several tourists who were at the scene of the attack were shepherded to safety by their Kashmiri guides. At least one of these guides, like the others a Muslim by faith, was killed by the terrorists. As tourists sought to flee in panic, clerics opened mosques to provide beds for those who did not have hotel bookings. Taxi drivers refused to charge fares for passengers seeking to get to Srinagar airport. The day after the killings, there was a complete hartal in Kashmir as shops, hotels, schools, colleges all stayed closed to express their sympathy with the victims of the violence. All political parties, whether in power or in the Opposition, took out rallies in condemnation of the terrorists and their backers from across the border. 'Musafir and a local driver Sameer were with me all through, even outside the morgue, till 3 a.m... Kashmir has now given me two brothers," says Arathy Sarath, who lost her father in #Pahalgam. 'Let Allah keep you safe,' was her parting words to them. — Meera Srinivasan (@Meerasrini) April 25, 2025 To this historian, the aftermath of the attack recalled the similarly exemplary behaviour of Kashmiris in the wake of the first-ever attack launched by Pakistan on the Valley, in the immediate aftermath of Independence and Partition. Then, in the late autumn of 1947, amidst the savage bloodletting elsewhere, especially in East and West Punjab, Kashmir was a haven of communal harmony as Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs all stood together in solidarity against the invaders. There is little question that, by the targeted killings of Hindus, the terrorists hoped to polarise Hindus against Muslims across India. They failed in this aim, at least as far as Kashmir is concerned. Now it is for the rest of us, who live in the other states and Union territories of our country, to similarly rise to the occasion. The signs so far are unpromising. In Rajasthan, a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA entered a mosque during Friday prayers, shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' and placing a 'Pakistan Murdabad' sign on the premises. In Assam, the Bharatiya Janata Party chief minister initiated arrests of political rivals whom his administration claimed were 'anti-India' and made similar charges on social media as well. In Madhya Pradesh, a Congress MLA, who happens to be Muslim by faith, was issued death threats. In Gujarat, police rounded up people they claimed were 'infiltrators'; among them were several hundred bona fide Indian citizens. In Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab, Kashmiri students have been forced by right-wing goons to leave their hostels, put on hold their education, and return to the Valley. In Mussoorie, Kashmiri shawl-sellers had to abandon their trade and go back home. Meanwhile, in Kashmir itself, where with its present Union territory status it is the Union government that controls law and order, there has been a wave of arrests and bulldozing of houses in which some or even many Kashmiris altogether innocent of any links to terror are likely to have suffered. #Update on Crackdown against traitors for defending Pakistan on Indian soil- 22.30hrs | 02 May 1️⃣Amar Ali arrested by @Dhubri_Police A total of 37 Anti Nationals put behind bars till now. All these anti-nationals will be dealt with firmly by @assampolice — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 2, 2025 It was also disappointing to see that the prime minister's first public speech after the tragedy was made in Bihar. That this state is scheduled to have assembly elections in a few months is unlikely to have been a coincidence. In that speech, and later in a Mann ki Baat address, Modi referred to Indians being united in their condemnation of terror regardless of the language they spoke. A more statesmanlike approach would have been to acknowledge and appreciate the pluralism of religion that distinguishes our country as well. This omission was particularly distressing in light of the admirable conduct of the Kashmiris on the spot, of which the prime minister was surely not unaware. Finally, Modi's decision to skip the all-party meeting held to discuss the terror attack displayed a dismaying lack of respect for democratic procedure. The prime minister's pluralism is selective – it embraces language but not religion. (Other BJP leaders are even more narrow-minded; for them, Hindi is the supreme language of India just as Hinduism is its superior religion.) It was thus refreshing to see that the defence minister, Rajnath Singh, did squarely state that, in the wake of the barbaric attack in Pahalgam, all Indians stood united irrespective of religion. In a departure from his speech style,in a clear message for global audience, PM Modi speaks in English too in Bihar rally. 1st reaction on #PahalgamTerroristAttack. 'India will identify, pursue the attackers, terrorists and their will be punished strongly' @PMOIndia — Smita Sharma (@Smita_Sharma) April 24, 2025 As with previous terror attacks orchestrated from across the border, this one too poses two distinct sets of tests: one for the Indian state and a second for the Indian people. Unlike newspaper columnists and television anchors based in New Delhi, so ready to offer advice on how and when to go to war, I do not believe I have any views of any originality or worth in this matter. How the Indian state should respond, what precise mix of diplomatic, economic and military measures it should adopt to, as it were, 'punish' the Pakistani state for its tacit and overt support for terrorism, is beyond my domain expertise. However, as a defender of the constitutional values of democracy and pluralism, I do have views on how my fellow citizens should respond. These broadly coincide with the views of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. On October 15, 1947 – exactly two months after Partition – Nehru wrote this to the chief ministers of states: 'We have a Muslim minority who are so large in numbers that they cannot, even if they want to, go anywhere else. They have got to live in India… Whatever the provocation from Pakistan and whatever the indignities and horrors inflicted on non-Muslims there, we have got to deal with this minority in a civilised manner. We must give them security and the rights of citizens in a democratic State.' Nehru is a much misunderstood, much vilified, figure in India nowadays. Some of this retrospective criticism is merited; for example, as prime minister, Nehru should have begun to release the state's stranglehold over the economy by the late 1950s (by which time it had clearly proven counters-productive)‚ and he should not have been so naively trusting about China. On the other hand, we Indians now need his robust, uncompromising defence of religious and linguistic pluralism more than ever more. Nehru's enduring relevance in this regard is best illustrated by quoting some remarks made in recent weeks by the chief of the Pakistani army, General Asim Munir. Days before the terror outrage, this man had insisted that Kashmir was the 'jugular vein' of Pakistan. A few days after the butchering of Indian tourists, he told the graduating cadets of the Pakistan Military Academy that 'the two-nation theory was based on the fundamental belief that Muslims and Hindus are two separate nations, not one.' He further insisted: 'Muslims are distinct from Hindus in all aspects of life – religion, customs, traditions, thinking, and aspirations.' As is by now well-known, the ideologues of the Hindu Right, such as VD Savarkar, mimicked this sort of thinking entirely. They articulated their own version of the two-nation theory. They too thought Hindus and Muslims separate and distinct in their ways of thinking and being, they too claimed that Hindus and Muslims could not companionably, peaceably and equitably live together in the same political or territorial unit. Transferred to the situation today, when so many Muslims do in fact live in post-Partition India, the Hindutva ideology insists that they can only do so by subordinating themselves economically, politically, and culturally to the Hindus. Against this pernicious, polarising way of thinking, Jawaharlal Nehru stood steadfast. When, in the first few months after Partition, the Pakistan state was determined to inflict indignities and horrors against its non-Muslim citizens, Nehru insisted that his government in India would deal with its Muslim minority 'in a civilised manner' and 'give them security and the rights of citizens in a democratic state'. Now, as terrorists aided by Pakistan have so brazenly murdered tourists in Kashmir who happen to be both Indian and Hindu, we who care for the future of this Republic, we who cherish and uphold its founding values, must redouble our efforts to treat with dignity and respect, and to consider as full and equal citizens, those Indians who happen to be Muslims by faith.
