Dubai is infusing this summer with even more excitement and interactivity through its newly launched Souvenir Passport initiative, a highlight of the 2025 #DubaiDestinations campaign. Created by Brand Dubai in partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), the creative project welcomes visitors starting July 24 at GDRFA locations and even Dubai International Airport with a unique, souvenir-themed ‘passport’ that doubles as a playful and practical guide to the city’s best summer experiences.

Each passport features a QR code that seamlessly connects users to the Dubai Destinations website. There, residents and tourists can browse interactive guides and meticulously curated itineraries aimed at maximizing their time in the city during the heat. These digital resources include up-to-date recommendations for everything from family-friendly indoor attractions, children’s camps, and seasonal activities to the top staycations, waterparks, poolside retreats, and summer essentials across Dubai.

 All attractions are mapped for easy navigation, ensuring both locals and newcomers have the information they need for a memorable holiday.

The campaign, which runs from July 4 through July 31, coincides with the school holidays and a significant uptick in visitors, positioning Dubai as a leading year-round destination for leisure, adventure, and cultural discovery. This strategic push spotlights Dubai’s dynamic mix of world-class infrastructure, vibrant indoor leisure venues, luxury hotels, and multicultural experiences alongside value deals, raffles, and prize draws especially as part of the citywide Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) festival, now in its 28th year.

A standout feature for 2025 is the campaign’s emphasis on digital engagement: special video content produced by Brand Dubai and digital creators, plus a series of interactive online guides, bring the summer scene to life across social channels. Influencers from across the region are also documenting their Dubai adventures in real time, adding an authentic local flavor.

Additionally, Dubai Summer Surprises presents unbeatable shopping deals up to 75% off at 3,000 retail outlets, flash sales, the popular DSS Entertainer with 7,500 Buy One Get One Free offers, luxury hotel and attraction discounts, a new “10 Dirham Dish” food initiative for August, and headline concerts and entertainment for all ages. Fitness enthusiasts can join indoor mall runs and wellness activities, ensuring there’s something for every interest and budget.

This year’s DubaiDestinations campaign and the souvenir passport initiative represent Dubai’s innovative spirit and ongoing drive to set new standards for tourism. By blending creative attractions, seamless technology, and practical travel tools, Brand Dubai and GDRFA are shaping a summer season that’s convenient, interactive, and unforgettable inviting everyone to discover, play, and make memories in a city built for year-round adventure.

Dubai is infusing this summer with even more excitement and interactivity through its newly launched Souvenir Passport initiative, a highlight of the 2025 #DubaiDestinations campaign. Created by Brand Dubai in partnership with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), the creative project welcomes visitors starting July 24 at GDRFA locations and even Dubai International Airport with a unique, souvenir-themed ‘passport’ that doubles as a playful and practical guide to the city’s best summer experiences.

Each passport features a QR code that seamlessly connects users to the Dubai Destinations website. There, residents and tourists can browse interactive guides and meticulously curated itineraries aimed at maximizing their time in the city during the heat. These digital resources include up-to-date recommendations for everything from family-friendly indoor attractions, children’s camps, and seasonal activities to the top staycations, waterparks, poolside retreats, and summer essentials across Dubai.

 All attractions are mapped for easy navigation, ensuring both locals and newcomers have the information they need for a memorable holiday.

The campaign, which runs from July 4 through July 31, coincides with the school holidays and a significant uptick in visitors, positioning Dubai as a leading year-round destination for leisure, adventure, and cultural discovery. This strategic push spotlights Dubai’s dynamic mix of world-class infrastructure, vibrant indoor leisure venues, luxury hotels, and multicultural experiences alongside value deals, raffles, and prize draws especially as part of the citywide Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) festival, now in its 28th year.

A standout feature for 2025 is the campaign’s emphasis on digital engagement: special video content produced by Brand Dubai and digital creators, plus a series of interactive online guides, bring the summer scene to life across social channels. Influencers from across the region are also documenting their Dubai adventures in real time, adding an authentic local flavor.

Additionally, Dubai Summer Surprises presents unbeatable shopping deals up to 75% off at 3,000 retail outlets, flash sales, the popular DSS Entertainer with 7,500 Buy One Get One Free offers, luxury hotel and attraction discounts, a new “10 Dirham Dish” food initiative for August, and headline concerts and entertainment for all ages. Fitness enthusiasts can join indoor mall runs and wellness activities, ensuring there’s something for every interest and budget.

This year’s DubaiDestinations campaign and the souvenir passport initiative represent Dubai’s innovative spirit and ongoing drive to set new standards for tourism. By blending creative attractions, seamless technology, and practical travel tools, Brand Dubai and GDRFA are shaping a summer season that’s convenient, interactive, and unforgettable inviting everyone to discover, play, and make memories in a city built for year-round adventure.

On 22 July 2025, Dubai, UAE, the Emirates Group launched an extensive global talent acquisition campaign aimed at recruiting 17,300 professionals during the current financial year. This hiring goal is symbolic, matching the population size of a mid-size town or the seating capacity of 58 Airbus A350 aircraft. The recruitment drive is part of the Group’s ongoing expansion strategy, reinforcing its industry-leading position.

The available opportunities span across 350 different roles across Emirates and dnata, the two flagship businesses under the Group. Emirates, recognized as the world’s most profitable and largest international airline, along with dnata, a global leader in air and travel services, are looking to fill positions that include cabin crew, pilots, engineers, commercial and sales teams, customer service, ground handling, catering, IT, human resources, and finance. Notably, dnata alone seeks over 4,000 specialists in cargo, catering, and ground handling operations.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, emphasized that this ambitious recruitment is aligned with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 and the Group’s growth trajectory. He expressed that the goal is to attract world-class talent capable of driving innovation, excellence, and the future transformation of the aviation industry. He views this initiative as an opportunity for skilled professionals to become integral to the Group’s ongoing success and expansion.

To reach potential candidates globally, the Emirates Group will hold over 2,100 open days and various talent acquisition events across 150 cities throughout the year. These events will provide a chance for prospective pilots, IT professionals, engineers, and cabin crew members to engage directly with recruitment teams and long-serving Emirates employees sharing their experiences. In addition to international outreach, Dubai-based events will focus on involving UAE national students and graduates, supporting national workforce development.

Since 2022, the Emirates Group has recruited more than 41,000 professionals, with nearly 27,000 in operational roles, contributing to the current workforce size of approximately 121,000 employees. The Group continues to be a magnet for talent around the world due to its strong brand reputation, people-centric policies, tax-free remuneration, comprehensive benefits, and esteemed training and career development programs.

In the past financial year alone, the Group received in excess of 3.7 million job applications, illustrating its global appeal. Candidates are drawn to Dubai not only for professional opportunities but also for the city’s safety, economic stability, advanced technological infrastructure, forward-looking policies, and vibrant lifestyle.

For those residing in Dubai and working for the Emirates Group, benefits are extensive, including eligibility for profit sharing, comprehensive medical and life insurance coverage, a wide array of travel benefits encompassing annual and service-related leave tickets, concessional rates for family and friends, discounted cargo rates, and membership privileges unlocking reductions at hundreds of retail, hospitality, and lifestyle destinations.

Candidates interested in joining the Emirates Group can explore available positions and upcoming recruitment events worldwide by visiting the Group’s official careers portal. This recruitment drive showcases the Emirates Group’s unwavering commitment to growth, innovation, and maintaining its status as a global employer of choice, while welcoming talented professionals prepared to contribute to shaping the future of aviation.

In a landmark move to simplify travel and enhance bilateral relations, Kuwaiti citizens can now apply for Indian e-visas entirely online beginning Monday, July 14, 2025. The announcement was made by Dr. Adarsh Swaika, India’s Ambassador to Kuwait, who described the launch as a “qualitative shift” in India-Kuwait engagement.

The new digital platform covers five visa categories: tourism, business, medical, conference, and AYUSH (alternative medicine including yoga and Ayurveda). Applicants no longer need to visit visa centers; all steps including application submission, document upload, and payment are completed online.

Key features of the e-visa system include:

Tourist visas valid for up to five years at a fee of $80
Other visa fees range from $40 to $80 depending on type and duration
Biometric data collection upon arrival at Indian airports
Typical processing time of three to four days, with minor technical issues possible during rollout

Ambassador Swaika emphasized that this initiative responds to a long-standing request from Kuwaiti citizens and reflects the deep historic and cultural ties between the two nations. The move also aligns with India’s broader efforts to modernize consular services and strengthen diplomatic and people-to-people connections in the Gulf region.

The e-visa allows for a variety of short-term activities such as tourism, business meetings, medical treatment (including under Indian traditional medicine systems), attending conferences, and participation in yoga or Ayurveda programs.

Applicants must hold a passport valid for at least six months and possess a return or onward ticket. The Indian Consulate in Kuwait will continue to accept paper visa applications for those who prefer traditional processing.

This digital visa rollout is expected to boost travel, trade, and cultural exchange between India and Kuwait, supporting the growing interest among Kuwaitis in Indian tourism, healthcare, and business opportunities.
For more information and to apply, Kuwaiti citizens can access the official Indian e-visa portal, which provides guidance in both English and Arabic.

This development marks a significant step forward in facilitating seamless cross-border travel and enhancing the longstanding friendship between India and Kuwait.

The United Arab Emirates has officially denied rumours of a lifetime Golden Visa offer for Indians and certain other nationalities, following widespread reports and social media buzz suggesting otherwise. The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) of Abu Dhabi clarified that no lifetime Golden Visa scheme exists, and all applications are processed strictly through official government channels within the UAE.

The ICP emphasized that the eligibility categories, conditions, and regulations for the Golden Visa are clearly defined by UAE laws and ministerial decisions, and no internal or external consultancy or commercial entity is authorized to handle or facilitate visa applications. This statement was issued in response to misleading reports claiming that Indians and Bangladeshis could obtain a lifetime Golden Visa for a fee of approximately ₹23 lakh (AED 100,000) through private consultancies, notably the Dubai-based Rayad Group, which later apologized for the confusion caused.

The authority warned the public against falling prey to fraudulent schemes promising simplified or guaranteed visa approvals, noting that such claims have no legal basis and were made without coordination with UAE authorities. The ICP also announced that legal action will be taken against entities spreading false information and illegally collecting money from hopeful applicants.

Applicants seeking accurate and up-to-date information on the UAE Golden Visa program are urged to rely solely on official sources, such as the ICP’s website and smart application platforms. The Golden Visa process remains transparent and regulated, with no shortcuts or lifetime residency offers outside the established legal framework.

This clarification comes amid growing enthusiasm among Indian nationals for UAE residency options, but the ICP’s firm denial aims to curb misinformation and protect applicants from exploitation.

Authorities in Oman have unveiled detailed plans to transform the old Muscat airport terminal, which spans a 50,000 square meter site, into a major leisure and commercial destination. The redevelopment will follow a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model, with interested developers invited to submit Expressions of Interest by July 9, 2024.

Overseeing the project is Oman Airports Management Company, part of the Oman Investment Authority, which aims to create an upscale, mixed-use hub that integrates retail outlets, restaurants, business centers, and multi-level parking, alongside a proposed aviation museum to celebrate Oman's aviation history.

The site’s prime location at the intersection of Sultan Qaboos Highway and Muscat Expressway ensures excellent connectivity to major city landmarks, including the Oman Convention & Exhibition Center, luxury hotels, and shopping malls. The Greater Muscat Master Plan also anticipates a future metro station adjacent to the site, which is expected to drive significant visitor traffic and commercial interest.

The old terminal, which opened in 1973 and served as Oman’s main airport until 2018, will be revitalized to honor its historical significance while providing modern amenities. The aviation-themed redevelopment will include an aviation museum, shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment venues, aiming to attract both local residents and tourists.

The project is designed to enhance Muscat’s urban landscape and contribute to the city’s economic development by drawing high-end tenants, investors, and real estate developers.

The transformation is also aligned with Oman’s National Aviation Strategy 2030, which seeks to attract $3.6 billion in airport city investments and open the sector to private and international investors. The redevelopment emphasizes sustainability by repurposing the existing terminal structure, reducing environmental impact compared to new construction.

The selection process for the developer will continue through the summer, with site visits already scheduled for interested bidders. Once completed, the new leisure hub is expected to become a landmark destination, reflecting both Oman's aviation legacy and its ambitions for future growth