Lifestyle

Abu Dhabi, UAE , December 16, 2025: Al Wahda Mall once again transformed into a vibrant hub of pop-culture excitement with the return of Cosplay Con 2. The two-day celebration drew hundreds of anime fans, gamers, and performance enthusiasts, cementing the mall’s reputation as Abu Dhabi’s leading lifestyle and entertainment destination.

From dynamic cosplay competitions and catwalks to electrifying K-pop dance challenges, interactive anime games, and panels with international stars, the event offered a feast of imagination. Fans enjoyed meet-and-greet sessions and photo signings with celebrity cosplayers Prince De Guzman and Aiien Iverson, while performances by Horizon Dance, MOSSY_Cosplay, and Sinister 6 Crew kept energy levels soaring.

Speaking on the success of the event, Mayank M Pal, General Manager of Al Wahda Mall said: “Cosplay Con 2 exceeded all expectations as our mall came alive with color, talent, and community spirit. It is wonderful to see how events like this unite people from different cultures through creativity and shared passion. At Al Wahda Mall, we are proud to provide a platform where art, entertainment, and youth culture thrive side by side.”

The weekend also featured workshops, panels such as “From Local Stage to Global Spotlight: The Cosplayer’s Journey,” and engaging contests powered by online communities. The lively atmosphere attracted families and a young crowd generating strong footfall and wide social-media buzz across both English and Arabic audiences.

With its successful second edition, Cosplay Con 2 reinforces Al Wahda Mall’s commitment to curating memorable, inclusive experiences that celebrate art, diversity, and youth culture, all while positioning the mall as Abu Dhabi’s premier venue for lifestyle entertainment.

Culture & Community

Sharjah, UAE: December 16 , 2025,
The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) will participate in the Sharjah
Events Festival 2025 at Al Majaz Amphitheatre from 18-21 December 2025, presenting a unified
pavilion that reflects Sharjah’s identity as a place where culture, nature, learning, and family life
intersect.
Shurooq’s participation is designed as a public, family-focused experience rather than a single
showcase. By bringing together several of its destinations in one space, the pavilion offers
visitors a chance to explore different facets of Sharjah through hands-on activities, creative
workshops, and moments of play, all grounded in the emirate’s landscapes and heritage.
The pavilion brings together experiences inspired by Mleiha National Park, Al Noor Island, Al
Montazah Parks, Al Heera Beach, and Khorfakkan Beach, creating a journey that moves
from discovery and creativity to play and outdoor inspiration. Each destination contributes a
distinct layer to the overall experience, allowing families to engage at their own pace and
according to their interests.
A journey through Sharjah’s nature, heritage, and family experiences
At Mleiha National Park, the focus is on learning through exploration. Visitors can engage with
Sharjah’s geological and archaeological history through interactive displays featuring rocks and
fossils from the region, replica stone tools inspired by early human activity, and small 3D-printed
models of artefacts discovered at Mleiha’s archaeological sites. The experience introduces
children and parents alike to the deep history of the land in a tangible, accessible way.
Creative expression and environmental awareness shape the experience at Al Noor Island,
where visitors are invited to take part in nature-inspired workshops led by the island’s education
team. Activities include Art in Nature sessions that combine a self-guided plant discovery walk
with painting, as well as the Butterflies Collage Workshop, where participants create framed
artworks using preserved butterfly wings, pressed flowers, and natural decorative elements.
These workshops encourage reflection, creativity, and a closer connection to the natural world.

For younger visitors seeking energy and play, Al Montazah Parks introduces a lighter, more
playful atmosphere through interactive activities and mascot appearances that reflect the spirit
of Sharjah’s family parks. The experience adds movement and joy to the pavilion, balancing
learning and creativity with moments of fun.
Inspired by Sharjah’s coastline and mountain landscapes, Al Heera Beach and Khorfakkan
Beach offer creative activities that celebrate the emirate’s outdoor environments. Children can
shape and decorate clay inspired by waves, fish, and mountain forms, and take part in colouring
activities featuring landmark illustrations that reflect Sharjah’s coastal and natural character.
Complementing the activations, Al Bareed Café will be present on-site, reinforcing the
pavilion’s family-friendly atmosphere and completing the visitor journey.
An inclusive space bringing families together
Through this multi-layered participation, Shurooq aims to create an inclusive space that brings
families together, encourages curiosity, and highlights the diversity of experiences available
across Sharjah’s destinations. The pavilion reflects Shurooq’s broader commitment to enriching
everyday life through meaningful public experiences rooted in culture, nature, and community.
Visitors are invited to explore the Shurooq pavilion throughout the Sharjah Events Festival 2025
at Al Majaz Amphitheatre and take part in an experience designed to inspire learning, creativity,
and shared family moments.

Al Ain Region, Abu Dhabi, UAE – 15 December 2025: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) celebrated significant results across industry metrics with the emirate’s leading travel and tourism partners during the third annual City Tourism Briefing, hosted at Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain Region.

The event attracted 400 participants from across the industry, including representatives of hotels, attractions, DMCs, developers and airlines. They convened to evaluate the robust growth across Abu Dhabi’s tourism and hospitality sector, foster strategic collaborations, and accelerate progress towards the ambitious goals of the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030.

HE Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “In collaboration with our industry partners, we have continued to drive success across every segment: culture, leisure, business, and live entertainment. The City Tourism Briefing provides a vital platform for us to celebrate these milestones with the entire ecosystem, and to align on goals and strengthen the collaboration that will further steer momentum toward the ambitions of Tourism Strategy 2030 and ensure that Abu Dhabi remains a world-leading destination shaped by innovation and excellence.”

During the briefing, DCT Abu Dhabi officials provided updates on the sector’s performance this year, revealed plans for 2026, and led presentations on the role of marketing campaigns and cultural heritage in promoting the sector locally and internationally.

A significant portion of the briefing focused on enhancing connectivity and infrastructure, highlighting the critical role of robust transport networks in supporting the emirate’s tourism objectives. A panel discussion featured transport leaders Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways; Adel Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia; Nathalie Jongma, Vice President Aviation Development at Abu Dhabi Airports Company; and Azza Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO of Mobility at Etihad Rail.

Etihad Airways revealed that in 2026 it will significantly expand its destination network. Celebrating similar success, Abu Dhabi Airports noted that it continues to enjoy double-dight growth.

Demonstrating Abu Dhabi’s commitment to sustainable development and investment, the briefing featured a Developers Panel Discussion, which brought together Marc Dardenne, CEO of Modon Hospitality, Kapil Aggarwal, CEO of Aldar Hospitality, and Jonathan Brown, Chief Portfolio Officer of Miral, to explore upcoming projects and investment opportunities that will further enhance the visitor experience.

During the panel each shared their enthusiasm for announced projects including Disneyland Abu Dhabi, National History Museum Abu Dhabi, enhancements to Al Ain Zoo, Harry Potter Themed Land at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi’s first Nobu hotel, the opening of Surf Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming velodrome cycling project.

Attendees learned of the emirate’s remarkable tourism growth for the year’s first 10 months, which is a testament to DCT Abu Dhabi’s strategic vision. The emirate’s hotels welcomed 4.9 million guests between January and October 2025, with average length of stay increasing to 2.8 nights. During the same period hotel revenues surged by 18% year-on-year. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) experienced a 21% year-on-year increase, and hotel occupancy remained strong at 80%. Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions also reported notable increases in hotel guests and RevPAR, showcasing the success of a diversified, emirate-wide strategy.

DCT Abu Dhabi is on a record pace for MICE events, hosting 14 mega-scale events during the first 10 months of 2025, with a pipeline of nine mega-scale events till end of 2025. Abu Dhabi is expecting to close the year with 1.75 million MICE visitors, 13% more than last year.

Aligned with DCT Abu Dhabi’s efforts to enhance the visitor experience through the introduction of numerous initiatives, Abu Dhabi’s cultural sites and museums welcomed more than 6 million visitors between January and October 2025, with approximately one million visitors attending festivals and programmes across the emirate.

Befitting the location of this year’s City Tourism Briefing in Al Ain Region, the Gulf Capital of Tourism for 2025, attendees were treated to cultural activations that included Oud and Dukhoon fragrance workshops, Ayala and Harbia dance performances, and Azi and Taghrooda poetry. The activations concluded with a Cholib horse show presented by Abu Dhabi Police during the gala dinner.

The strong performance indicators and collaborative spirit at this year’s City Tourism Briefing demonstrated the power and potential of Abu Dhabi’s unified tourism ecosystem. The progress achieved to date represents a major step towards achieving the emirate’s Tourism Strategy 2030 goals: attracting 39.3 million visitors annually, supporting the creation of 178,000 new tourism jobs, expanding hotel capacity to 52,000 rooms, and contributing AED 90 billion to Abu Dhabi’s GDP by the end of the decade.

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​Dubai, UAE, December, 2025: Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, a leading name in Dubai’s luxury hospitality landscape, has reinforced its commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and guest well-being through the successful implementation of an Integrated Management System (IMS).

This achievement comes at a pivotal time for the UAE hospitality industry, which is poised for steady expansion with hotel supply expected to rise by 3.4% in 2026​. As the market becomes more competitive, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection continues to elevate health & safety, quality, sustainability and operational excellence as core differentiators.

The newly implemented Integrated Management System (IMS) seamlessly combines three critical international standards, enabling the resort to manage quality, environmental impact, and health & safety with enhanced efficiency and coherence:​ 

ISO 9001:2015 (Total Quality Management): Ensuring consistent, high-quality service and guest satisfaction.

ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management): Driving sustainable operations and reducing environmental impact, complementing the resort’s existing Green Key certification.

ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health & Safety Management): Protecting the health, safety, and well-being of employees and guests alike.

This integration demonstrates Al Habtoor Grand Resort’s holistic commitment to quality service, environmental stewardship, and guest safety.

The resort has also successfully recertified its ISO 22000:2018 certification, underscoring its stringent food safety protocols. 

“These certifications are not just accolades; they are a testament to the collective dedication of our entire team. Our commitment to implementing and maintaining these rigorous international standards reflects our promise to deliver exceptional, safe, and sustainable hospitality experiences every day,” stated Khalid Saeed, General Manager of Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection.

With these certifications, Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection reinforces its leadership in responsible luxury hospitality, setting new benchmarks for integrated quality, safety, and sustainability within Dubai and the broader region.
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December 15 2025: World Health Expo (WHX) in Dubai, formerly Arab Health, which takes place from 9-12 February 2026 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), has officially announced the launch of a new dedicated Biotech & Life Sciences zone in recognition of the sector’s expansion, which is expected to exceed US$4 trillion globally by 2035.

The introduction of the new zone reflects the unprecedented acceleration across the global biotechnology industry, which uses living organisms, cells, or biological processes to develop products and technologies for treating, preventing, and diagnosing human diseases. Breakthroughs in areas such as advanced therapeutics, AI-driven research and development, translational science, clinical innovation, and sustainable biomanufacturing are shaping the market.

According to Global Data Route Analytics, a leading business intelligence firm, the global biotechnology market was valued at US$1.6 trillion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.2% until 2035, reaching US$4.05 trillion. 

Furthermore, a recent report from Knight Frank highlights the trajectory of the GCC biotechnology market, projected to reach US$2.6 billion by 2028. Leading this growth are the UAE and Saudi Arabia, driven by a surge in localised R&D activities in areas such as genomics, oncology, rare diseases, and synthetic biology. This momentum is further fuelled by an increasing investor appetite and enhanced cross-border collaboration as the industry transitions from early discovery to commercial-stage innovation. Notably, the UAE is keen on establishing itself as a global hub for biotechnology, precision medicine, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. This ambition is exemplified by initiatives like ‘Operation 300Bn,’ which allocates AED 300 billion to vital sectors, including healthcare.

Aligning with this growth, the inaugural Biotech & Life Sciences Zone, which will take place on 9 February 2026 as part of the newly introduced Frontiers Stage at WHX in Dubai, will convene global experts, regional innovators, policymakers, investors and industry leaders as part of a comprehensive programme exploring the scientific, economic and societal impact of biotechnology. 

Biotech & Life Sciences zone session chair, Dr Omar Najim, CEO, Baynouna Gene Solutions, Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor at Khalifa University, has emphasised that the Middle East is entering a new era in which biotechnology and life sciences are no longer peripheral disciplines but central drivers of healthcare transformation, economic diversification, and scientific leadership.

He said: “Biotechnology and the life sciences are at the crossroads of developing solutions for regional populations through local talent, clinical innovation, and distribution, to reach the wider world. The Middle East & Africa (MEA) region, home to 1.7 billion people, is a rapidly growing market for biotech companies seeking to expand, but also a source of unparalleled global talent. 

“The region is well recognised as a strategic bridge, connecting cutting-edge research with real-world healthcare transformation. By accelerating translational science, building regional capability and fostering global partnerships, we can ensure that breakthroughs developed in our labs become accessible solutions that improve health outcomes for our communities. The launch of the dedicated Biotech & Life Sciences Zone at World Health Expo (WHX) in Dubai is a pivotal step toward realising that shared vision.”

Held under the theme, Where Science Meets the Future, the Biotech & Life Sciences Zone will open with a forward-looking session titled The Future and Trends of Life Sciences: From Bench to Global Impact, which will explore advancements in synthetic biology, next-generation therapeutics, AI-driven research and the emergence of the Middle East as a potential hub for translational innovation. 

A high-profile panel discussion, Investing in the Next Decade of Biotech & Life Sciences: Collaboration, Capital and Capability, will bring together influential voices from across the investment and innovation spectrum, while a fireside chat, Biotechnology for One Planet, One Health, will provide discussion from regional leaders on biotechnology’s vital role in addressing interconnected global health and environmental challenges. 

The Regional to Global Translational Research and Innovation session will focus on bridging research capacity with international R&D networks, followed by a panel on Cell & Gene Waves: Building the Access-Era for Advanced Therapies, which will spotlight the urgent need to scale access to breakthrough treatments. 

The programme will conclude with a keynote titled Biotechnology and the Future of Humanity, delivered by Andrew Craig, author of The Future Is Biotech.

Solenne Singer, Senior Vice President, Informa Markets, said: “The introduction of a dedicated Biotech & Life Sciences Zone reflects the ambitions of WHX in Dubai and the growing expertise within our global community. Biotechnology is transforming every aspect of healthcare, and our platform is uniquely positioned to connect the world’s leading scientists, innovators and industry partners together to accelerate this progress. This initiative aligns with the forward-thinking content that WHX in Dubai aims to promote, underscoring our commitment to delivering the ideas and collaborations that will shape the next decade of global health.”

In 2026, WHX in Dubai will be co-timed with WHX Labs in Dubai (formerly Medlab Middle East), the region’s leading laboratory and diagnostics event. While WHX in Dubai moves to Expo City Dubai, WHX Labs in Dubai will continue at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 10-13 February, creating a city-wide experience across two landmark venues. Together, the co-timed events will attract more than 270,000 professional visits and 4,800 exhibitors, forming the world’s largest healthcare event. 

WHX in Dubai and WHX Labs in Dubai are held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention.

Dubai, UAE, December 2025: In line with Dubai’s continued vision for innovation and guest-centric excellence, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, has approved the rollout of the Dubai Digital Hotel initiative – a pioneering transformation that reimagines the future of hospitality across the emirate.

As one of the city’s flagship luxury destinations, Address Downtown is proud to be among the first hotels to bring this vision to life with the debut of its new Digital Check-In Experience. Seamlessly integrated, elegantly designed, and thoughtfully crafted around the needs of the global traveller, the new system ensures that every arrival begins with ease, comfort, and a sense of quiet luxury.

Guests may now complete their pre-arrival verification from anywhere in the world, allowing the hotel to prepare their stay with greater precision and personalised attention. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into an environment where the transition from travel to tranquillity is effortless – reflecting Address Downtown’s enduring commitment to hospitality that is both intuitive and refined.

This milestone marks a significant step towards Dubai’s ambition to set new benchmarks for digital excellence. Address Hotels + Resorts is honoured to contribute to this movement, elevating the guest journey through technology that enhances – rather than replaces – the warmth and authenticity of its service.

With Digital Check-In now live, Address Downtown invites its guests to experience a stay where innovation and hospitality coexist in perfect harmony, reaffirming its position as a leader in luxury hospitality in the region.