Something noticeable is happening with how Indian tourists are planning their international trips in 2026. Dubai and Abu Dhabi — long-time favorites for their shopping, luxury hotels, and easy connectivity — are losing ground to destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. The reason isn’t complicated. A family that would have spent ten days in Dubai for a certain budget is finding they can spend two weeks in Bangkok or Hanoi for roughly the same money, sometimes less. Thailand and Vietnam Gain Popularity Thailand has always drawn Indian visitors, but the numbers are growing stronger. Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya offer…
Author: Mohan Nasre
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If you drive regularly in Dubai, there’s a small but practical change coming that’s worth being aware of. From June 1, 2026, a 5% VAT will apply to Salik toll charges and Parkin public parking services across the emirate. The change has been confirmed by Parkin PJSC and brings these transport services in line with VAT rules already applied across many other sectors in the UAE. The update covers a wide range of Parkin services — hourly parking, seasonal permits, subscriptions, and other parking products managed through the company’s platform. Salik toll gates will also reflect the change, meaning each…
Dubai has announced a significant economic incentives package designed to support businesses, protect jobs, and strengthen key industries across the emirate. The initiative has been approved by Dubai’s leadership and comes at a time when businesses globally are navigating an uncertain economic environment. The package, worth billions of dirhams, is intended to stimulate business activity, encourage investment, and improve financial stability across multiple sectors. Officials have indicated that tourism, logistics, trade, technology, real estate, and small and medium-sized enterprises are all within the scope of the support measures. The announcement reflects something consistent about how Dubai tends to respond to…
Let’s be honest — for football fans in Dubai, the World Cup is always a late-night affair. The matches are happening on the other side of the globe, which means your alarm and your TV remote are about to become best friends for six straight weeks. This year, though, something is different. The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the biggest football tournament ever played. For the first time, 48 teams are competing instead of 32, spread across three countries — the USA, Canada, and Mexico — across 16 cities and 104 total matches. There’s even a brand-new round added to…
Dubai’s retail and lifestyle campaigns tend to be well-executed, but this one is a cut above the usual shopping festival mechanics. The Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, in partnership with Dubai Chambers, has launched “Win Your Home in Dubai” — a 12-week campaign running from May 22 to August 30, 2026, that gives participants the chance to win residential apartments through retail spending at participating outlets across the city. The entry mechanism is simple: spend AED 500 or more at a participating store, and you’re in the draw. The campaign is open to anyone aged 18 and above, which means…