Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a seasoned media professional and content strategist with a passion for storytelling across digital platforms. As a contributor to Abu Dhabi Week, Sam brings a sharp editorial eye and a deep appreciation for the culture, innovation, and lifestyle that define the UAE capital. With over a decade of experience in journalism and public relations, he covers everything from local events and business trends to travel, dining, and community highlights. When he's not writing, Sam is exploring the hidden gems of Abu Dhabi, always on the lookout for the next story worth sharing.
As the global travel landscape undergoes rapid transformation, Swiss-Belhotel International is stepping up its commitment to innovation and human-centric hospitality to meet the evolving expectations of today’s travellers. With a presence in over 20 countries and 18 brands spanning economy to luxury segments, the international hospitality group is deploying a blend of technology, purposeful design, and local relevance to redefine guest experiences across its properties. Speaking on the company’s forward-looking approach, Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President, Operations & Development, EMAI, and Group Human Resources & Talent Development at Swiss-Belhotel International, stated: “Guest expectations today are shaped less by star…
OMODA&JAECOO, one of the fastest-growing smart mobility brands globally, has announced the imminent UAE launch of its highly anticipated crossover SUV, the OMODA C7. Engineered to meet the region’s climate and driving challenges, the C7 promises to blend futuristic design, advanced hybrid technology, and extreme heat resilience. Set to enter the UAE market in the coming weeks, the OMODA C7 arrives as a symbol of next-generation mobility tailored for the Gulf region’s harsh conditions and modern drivers. The vehicle underwent a series of high-temperature endurance tests in Turpan, China, one of the hottest regions on Earth. With surface temperatures reaching…
Saudi Arabia has made yet another landmark achievement on the global motorsport stage. The 2025 Jeddah E-Prix double-header has become the most-watched Formula E weekend in history, attracting a record 65 million global cumulative viewers, according to data released by Kantar Media. Staged under the lights of the iconic Jeddah Corniche Circuit on February 14–15, the races marked the debut of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Jeddah after six successful seasons in Diriyah. The thrilling night races not only showcased world-class electric racing but also solidified the Kingdom’s growing reputation as a premier international motorsport hub. The…
His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), welcomed a senior delegation from Dubai Municipality to Moro Hub, a key subsidiary of Digital DEWA, for a strategic meeting aimed at enhancing collaboration on digital transformation and smart city initiatives. The delegation was led by HE Marwan Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, and included senior officials from both entities. The visit highlighted the shared commitment to strengthening Dubai’s status as a smart, secure, and sustainable global city. Key attendees included Eng. Marwan Bin Haidar, Vice Chairman – Digital & Group CEO…
Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has been awarded the Sharjah Excellence Award (SEA) in the Sharjah Gulf Excellence category for 2024, a major recognition from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The accolade affirms the bank’s role as a trailblazer in the UAE’s banking landscape, highlighting its institutional innovation, sustainable business model, and strategic growth across the region. This prestigious recognition comes on the heels of another major milestone for the bank—its inclusion in Forbes Middle East’s “Top 100 Companies in the Middle East for 2024”, reinforcing SIB’s standing as a financial institution with consistent and impactful performance. Commenting on…
Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, is introducing an exciting new attraction this summer — Officina Maranello, a high-energy live show that offers audiences an immersive journey into the world of Ferrari engineering. The show is set to run from 28 June to 31 August 2025, with performances taking place six days a week at the park’s Red Theatre. Scheduled daily at 12:45 PM, 3:30 PM, and 5:30 PM, the production marks a new direction for Ferrari World’s entertainment offerings, blending storytelling, performance, and engineering in a spectacle designed for all ages. At the heart of Officina Maranello is a…
Global satellite operator Intelsat has announced a powerful new partnership with actor and humanitarian Forest Whitaker’s nonprofit, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), to bring high-speed internet to underserved, conflict-affected communities in South Sudan and Uganda. The three-year collaboration will provide satellite-powered internet connectivity to 10 WPDI Community Learning Centers—seven in South Sudan and three in Uganda—enabling thousands of young people to access educational resources for the first time. “Education is the foundation for peace,” said Forest Whitaker, WPDI’s founder. “With the right tools, youths can reclaim their futures and become powerful agents of peace in their communities.” Intelsat…
HCL Group and UpLink, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) innovation platform, have announced the launch of the Water Resilience Challenge — the fourth and latest in their joint Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative. The global competition aims to support groundbreaking solutions to strengthen freshwater resilience amid growing climate, industrial and agricultural pressures. Unveiled at the WEF’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China, the challenge is now open for submissions through August 4, 2025, with winners to be revealed in January 2026. A total of CHF 1.75 million in funding will be distributed among the top 10 innovators. The initiative…
Azizi Developments, one of the UAE’s leading private real estate developers, will unveil exclusive Dubai property offerings at a dedicated exhibition in New York this Saturday. The one-day showcase promises American investors a rare opportunity to secure high-yield, previously unreleased assets, only available at the event. Hosted at the Marriott Marquis – Marquis Ballroom, Salon C, in Times Square on June 28 from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, the exhibition will feature a curated portfolio including new residential, commercial, and hospitality projects—most notably the developer’s newest master communities: Azizi Milan and Azizi Venice. The invitation-only event offers investors access to…
As industries worldwide grapple with ageing infrastructure and critical workforce shortages, a new global initiative is tapping into student innovation to bridge the gap. Bentley Systems, a Nasdaq-listed infrastructure software company, has launched the 2025 iTwin4Good Challenge in collaboration with Enactus, the global student entrepreneurship non-profit. The international competition, now in its second year, invites university students from across five regions—the United States, Germany, Canada, the UK and Ireland, and Brazil—to develop digital twin applications aimed at solving pressing social and environmental challenges in their communities. Digital twin technology, which creates real-time digital replicas of physical infrastructure systems, is increasingly…