Wego, KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to transform the digital umrah experience

- Wego is committed to simplifying the travel experience for pilgrims worldwide 

- It is among the first platforms to enable electronic umrah visa issuance 

Source: Wego. Wego Partners with the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Wego, the No. 1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has announced a strategic partnership with the KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to introduce a fully integrated digital platform designed to enhance and simplify the umrah for pilgrims worldwide. 

The collaboration marks a significant step in advancing KSA's vision of delivering a seamless, digitally-enabled pilgrimage experience, Wego said. The new platform is designed to redefine how umrah services are accessed and delivered. The agreement brings together Wego's travel technology and extensive regional reach with the kingdom's trusted network of licensed umrah service providers to offer pilgrims a streamlined, end-to-end booking experience. 

Specifically, Wego will leverage its expertise in travel search, payments, and digital distribution to manage marketing, sales, and customer transactions, while trusted, licenced umrah service providers focus on delivering high-quality, on-ground services. Through a single, intuitive flow, travellers can access flight bookings, verified hotel bookings, licenced ground services, and facilitated umrah visa request submissions, ensuring a more transparent, efficient, and reliable journey from planning to arrival. All visa issuance is conducted by the relevant authorities in KSA.

The KSA Ministry of Hajj and Umrah plays a key regulatory and supervisory role in overseeing the umrah ecosystem, ensuring compliance, quality standards, and a consistent experience for pilgrims, while licensed operators are responsible for service delivery and operational execution.

This model enhances operational efficiency while ensuring consistency and accountability across the entire pilgrim experience. All transactions are securely processed in Saudi riyals at the time of booking, reinforcing transparency and eliminating unexpected on-ground costs. 

Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego said: "Through our collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, we are enabling a more seamless and transparent umrah journey powered by technology. By integrating flights, facilitated visa request processes, verified accommodations, and licensed ground services into one unified platform, we are enhancing the overall pilgrim experience while creating new growth opportunities for umrah service providers across Saudi Arabia."

The platform introduces three service tiers:

Essential

Core services including airport reception and dedicated on-ground support. 

Standard

Enhanced convenience with intercity transportation between key locations such as Makkah and Madinah. 

Premium

A more personalised journey featuring private transfers, curated sightseeing experiences, and round-the-clock support.

To further strengthen trust and reliability, the platform incorporates clear consumer protection policies, including flexible booking modifications and refund eligibility under defined conditions. These measures are designed to provide peace of mind while maintaining operational efficiency for service providers.

Additionally, multilingual support capabilities and dedicated customer service channels ensure accessibility for pilgrims from diverse global markets, reinforcing Wego's commitment to inclusivity and service excellence.

As part of this initiative, Wego is inviting qualified umrah service providers to participate in the platform.

Details

The platform www.wego.com/umrah will be ready for launch in June 2026, aligning with the beginning of the umrah season.

BtcDana launches Eid al-Adha community support initiative in Pakistan

UAE-headquartered BtcDana, a contract for difference (CFD) broker, has announced a community support initiative in Pakistan following its Eid al-Adha Trading Rewards Campaign. 

In Pakistan, BtcDana's support will focus on child welfare and orphan care. These programmes provide essential resources, care, and assistance to children who require additional social support and protection. 

"Eid al-Adha is a time of generosity, compassion, and shared responsibility," said Peter Chow, founder of BtcDana. 

"Through this initiative, we are proud to channel our clients' trading momentum and our brand's commitment into meaningful, lasting support for children, education, and local communities."

Qatar's General Authority of Endowments partners with Wahed to develop AI-powered equity analysis capability

Source: Wahed. Qatar's General Authority of Endowments will work with Wahed to develop an AI-powered equity analysis platform.

Wahed, a global Islamic fintech and asset manager, has announced that its Qatar-based entity, Wahed MENA, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Qatar.

Under the terms of the agreement, Wahed MENA will develop and pilot an AI-powered shari'ah equity analysis and screening platform tailored to the needs of Qatar's endowment sector. Bringing together Wahed's global expertise in Islamic fintech and asset management with Awqaf's shari'ah and investment expertise in endowment oversight, the initiative is designed to build a smarter, more efficient approach to screening and analysing equities listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) for shari'ah compliance.

The project supports Awqaf's efforts to leverage cutting-edge technologies and digital innovation in line with the Ministry's Strategic Plan (2025-2030), which focuses on digital transformation, AI technologies, institutional innovation, performance efficiency and sustainability. It also aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the country's broader transition toward a knowledge-based economy.

The platform will combine AI-driven equity screening, natural language processing (NLP), financial indicator and ratio analysis, and a bilingual Arabic-English interface to support Awqaf's internal investment assessment processes. Features under development include dividend screening, historical shari'ah compliance tracking, risk-based analysis and an AI-assisted shari'ah screening support chatbot for internal use.

By combining financial data analysis, compliance monitoring and intelligent screening capabilities, the platform is expected to enhance the speed, consistency and scalability of investment analysis, strengthen governance and transparency in endowment investment management, and provide institutional-grade insights to support decision-making on robust Shariah and financial foundations.

Mohammed Abdullah Al Harmi, Director of the Investment Department at the General Directorate of Endowments, described the project as a crucial step in advancing endowment work. "This initiative ushers in a new era of endowment operations that combines shari'ah authenticity with technological innovation," he said.

"This partnership reflects our commitment to putting technology in service of Islamic finance principles," said Khalid Al Jassim, Executive Chairman of Wahed MENA.

"By working with Awqaf, we are taking a meaningful step toward making shari'ah-compliant investment intelligence more precise, accessible and scalable."

The initiative represents a significant step forward in the adoption of AI within Islamic asset management. Upon completion, the platform will serve as a model for endowment institutions, asset managers, sovereign entities and financial organisations seeking to integrate AI into shari'ah-compliant investment processes.

The Philippines sets a new standard in Muslim-friendly tourism

The Philippines continues to strengthen its position as a rising Muslim-friendly destination in Asia, welcoming travellers from the Middle East and the wider Muslim world through a growing ecosystem of halal- and Muslim-friendly tourism experiences. 

This momentum is further complemented by the country's strong tourism and cultural ties with neighboring Muslim-majority countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia under the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).

The Philippines is ready to welcome Muslim visitors from around the world—offering a place where faith meets genuine hospitality. Courtesy of Department of Tourism - Philippines From faith-filled traditions to Muslim-friendly destinations, the Philippines is ready to welcome Muslim visitors from around the world—offering a place where faith meets genuine hospitality. Courtesy of Department of Tourism - Philippines

Recognised by Mastercard-CrescentRating as a rising Muslim-friendly destination and ranked 8th among non-OIC destinations in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), the Philippines continues to gain international recognition for its efforts in advancing halal- and Muslim-friendly tourism. Across the archipelago, travellers can now experience a growing range of accommodations, halal-certified dining establishments, cultural attractions, and tourism services designed to support the faith-based needs of Muslim travellers while offering authentic cultural and heritage experiences.

Beyond tourism infrastructure, the Philippines is also investing in workforce development, destination preparedness, and cultural awareness initiatives to strengthen the delivery of halal and Muslim-friendly tourism services nationwide. The Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) continues to support this growth through the implementation of its Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment (MFAE) Recognition Program across hotels and tourism establishments, while also encouraging halal certification among restaurants, accommodations, and tourism service providers throughout the country.

Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure continues to expand across the Philippines, supported by the DOT's nationwide halal tourism development initiatives. To date, the DOT has officially recognised 67 Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAEs). Leading this effort is Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the first hotel chain in the Philippines to achieve 100% MFAE recognition across all of its properties.

The Philippines also takes pride in strengthening the cultural awareness and preparedness of its tourism workforce. Through various training and capacity-building initiatives conducted by the DOT, an estimated 3,000 tourism frontliners and stakeholders nationwide have received specialised training on the fundamentals of halal, understanding Muslim travellers and guests, and the importance of culturally-sensitive and respectful service. 

Among the country's leading destinations, Boracay continues to strengthen its position as a Muslim-friendly island destination through initiatives such as Marhaba Boracay, which features an 800-square-meter beach cove dedicated for Muslim families. Boracay, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, and Metro Manila continue to feature a growing number of halal-certified dining establishments, prayer facilities, and tourism services designed to support the needs and comfort of Muslim travellers.

Beyond accommodations and dining, the Philippines offers Muslim travellers opportunities to experience the country's rich cultural diversity through heritage tours, island and nature experiences, vibrant local communities, and visits to Islamic heritage sites across Mindanao. 

The DOT continues to strengthen its engagement with key Muslim travel markets, including the Middle East and neighboring Muslim-majority countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Through international promotions, tourism collaborations, targeted destination campaigns, and the Muslim-Friendly Travelogue of the Philippines*, the country continues to highlight its expanding tourism offerings, accessibility, and commitment to inclusive travel experiences. 

As the global halal travel market continues to grow, the Philippines remains committed to offering travel experiences rooted in hospitality, cultural diversity, and respectful understanding of Muslim traditions and values. Direct connectivity from key international gateways to destinations such as Manila, Cebu, and Clark allows easy access to the country's tourism destinations. 

*The three-volume travelogue series showcases the Philippines through curated features on halal and local cuisine, tourism destinations, and the country's Muslim-friendly tourism initiatives and experiences. Get the travelogue via the QR code shared by the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta on Instagram in July 2025.

Source: Philippine Embassy in Jakarta via Instagram. QR codes for Muslim tourists planning to visit the Philippines.

.

Mastercard and CrescentRating reports suggest 245 M Muslim travellers by 2030

Mastercard, in collaboration with CrescentRating, has released two new reports: Halal Travel Trends 2026 and Muslim Women in Travel 2026, examining how Muslim travel is evolving amid rising demand for more inclusive, trusted and purpose-led experiences.

Halal Travel Trends 2026 revealed that international Muslim visitor arrivals were estimated at 186 million in 2025 and projected to reach 245 million by 2030. Meanwhile, Muslim Women in Travel 2026 found that Muslim women travellers accounted for 90 million international arrivals in 2025, representing 48% of global Muslim visitor arrivals, up from 63 million and 45% in 2019.

Additionally, baseline services for Muslim-friendly tourism – halal food and prayer spaces – have stepped up in recent years, identifying experiences such as safety, digital confidence, and faith-aligned assurance as part of the new norm, the organisations said.

At the centre of both reports is CrescentRating’s RIDA framework (responsible, immersive, digital and assured) which provides a practical roadmap for destinations, tourism boards and businesses to better serve Muslim travellers.

Asia remains central to the global Muslim travel landscape. Halal Travel Trends 2026 found that the region drew nearly 120 million Muslim visitors in 2024, representing 65% of the world’s 176 million global Muslim visitors. The report attributes Asia’s strength to connectivity, cultural depth, established halal infrastructure, and proximity between major Muslim source and destination markets.

Amid global volatility, travel demand remains steady, with more travellers favouring closer destinations. Intra-ASEAN travel is picking up, offering opportunities for regional players to better meet evolving preferences and the region is particularly well positioned to capture this demand. Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei feature among the preferred destinations for Muslim women travellers, while Southeast Asia accounts for 5.8 million Muslim women travellers as a source region.

Beyond Muslim-majority destinations, the reports also point to growing opportunities for destinations that can make Muslim-friendly readiness more visible and reliable — helping destinations convert interest into bookings while strengthening traveller confidence.

Muslim Women in Travel 2026 spotlights one of the most influential segments within the broader Muslim travel market. Muslim women are increasingly shaping where, how and why trips are planned — whether for family holidays, solo travel, religious journeys, business trips or women-led group experiences.

The report finds that safety and trust are key priorities. General safety and comfort are the most important destination factors for 60% of Muslim women travellers, followed by Muslim-friendliness at 30%. Travellers want to feel confident accessing halal food, finding prayer spaces, dressing modestly, moving through destinations safely and practicing their faith without discrimination or judgement.

Digital discovery is also playing a defining role. The report finds that 68% of respondents said social media influenced their travel decisions, with Instagram as the most used platform, followed by YouTube and TikTok. AI tools are also emerging as a new layer of travel assurance, helping travellers research destinations, compare options, plan itineraries, identify halal dining, locate prayer spaces and assess safety considerations.

“Muslim travel is entering a more sophisticated phase, where confidence, inclusion and purpose are becoming as important as access and convenience,” said Aisha Islam, Senior VP, Customer Solutions Center, Southeast Asia at Mastercard.

“Through the RIDA framework, destinations and businesses have a practical way to think about the full traveller journey from trusted digital information and secure payments to meaningful experiences that respect faith, culture, safety and personal values.”

Both reports point to a clear industry opportunity: Destinations that make Muslim-friendly services more visible, verifiable and consistent will be better positioned to convert interest into visits and build long-term loyalty.

The RIDA framework provides a practical way for destinations to respond:

Responsible: Support community-led tourism, environmental stewardship and regenerative travel practices.

Immersive: Create deeper cultural, heritage and local experiences that go beyond sightseeing.

Digital: Use technology, AI and secure digital payments to reduce friction and increase confidence.

Assured: Build trust through verified halal services, safety standards, inclusive infrastructure and consistent quality across touchpoints.

“For destinations, the opportunity is to move from availability to assurance,” said Raudha Zaini, Director of Operations, CrescentRating.

“Muslim travellers are looking for experiences that are meaningful, inclusive and easy to trust. The destinations that clearly communicate their readiness and deliver consistently across the journey will be best positioned to earn long-term loyalty.”

Mastercard and CrescentRating said the reports highlight the need for a more integrated approach to tourism development. By embedding responsible practices, authentic experiences, digital confidence and trusted faith-aligned services into destination planning, the travel industry can unlock stronger participation, deeper loyalty and more resilient growth.

Islamic Global Technology Fund launched in Malaysia

Eastspring Investments has launched the Eastspring Investments Islamic Global Technology Fund, a shari'ah‑compliant equity fund designed to provide investors with access to long‑term growth opportunities arising from global technology and AI innovation.

The fund seeks to invest in high‑quality, shari'ah‑compliant technology companies that are shaping the future of the global economy - spanning sectors such as semiconductors, AI hardware and software, cloud infrastructure, digital platforms, healthcare innovation and advanced manufacturing. These technology leaders are increasingly embedded across industries, driving productivity, efficiency and earnings growth.

While timing technology cycles perfectly can be challenging, history has consistently shown that long-term under-exposure to technology can come at a significant opportunity cost, Eastspring Investments said. Unlike earlier technology cycles, today's AI and technology wave is supported by real earnings, strong free cash flows and sustained capital expenditure from large, profitable global companies, the company noted, calling technology a structural growth opportunity, rather than a short‑term trend.

A key differentiator of the fund is its investment advisory collaboration with Eastspring Investments Taiwan, which has managed global and US technology strategies since 1994. This enables Malaysian investors to access seasoned technology investment capabilities.

Based in Taiwan, the epicentre of the global semiconductor and AI hardware supply chain, the investment team brings first-hand, on-the-ground insights into the industries that power artificial intelligence. Much of the world's most advanced chips are designed and manufactured in this region, making proximity a critical advantage in identifying emerging trends and inflection points within the global tech ecosystem.

This expertise is reinforced by Eastspring's broader regional platform, drawing on insights from investment professionals across Asia to develop a more holistic, forward-looking view of technology innovation. Together, this combination of local depth, regional insights and global perspective enhances the Fund's ability to capture opportunities across the global AI value chain.

The fund is managed with shari'ah oversight and governance in collaboration with Eastspring Al‑Wara' Investments, Eastspring's dedicated Islamic asset management subsidiary. The portfolio construction adheres to shari'ah principles, ensuring investments are ethically aligned while maintaining diversification across global technology subsectors.

Yap Siok Hoon, CEO, Eastspring Investments said: "Technology is no longer optional - it is embedded in how economies function and how companies create value. With the launch of this fund, we are offering investors a way to participate in this powerful, long‑term growth story through a shari'ah‑compliant solution, backed by deep technology expertise and global reach. Our collaboration with Eastspring Investments Taiwan provides a unique advantage by anchoring investment insights where global AI and semiconductor innovation is truly built."

Anouk Hanafiah, CEO of Eastspring Al‑Wara' Investments added: "This fund reflects our commitment to delivering global shari'ah investment solutions that are grounded in principle yet forward-looking. We believe technology and innovation can be powerful drivers of positive progress when aligned with shari'ah principles."

Labuan IBFC, ASAS create more awareness about Islamic finance

Source: Labuan IBFC. Representatives from Labuan IBFC, Labuan Financial Services Authority (FSA) and ASAS at the training programme.

Labuan International Business and Financial Centre (Labuan IBFC), together with the Association of Shariah Advisors in Islamic Finance Malaysia (ASAS), recently hosted a training session highlighting opportunities in Islamic finance, encompassing shari'ah-compliant fintech, captive and cross-border wealth management solutions within Labuan IBFC.  

The hybrid event gathered Islamic finance professionals and shari'ah advisers from Malaysia and abroad to explore Labuan IBFC's proposition as global business hub offering Islamic finance solutions. Participants gained key insights into the digital acceleration of Islamic finance and its innovative financial structures. 

In opening remarks on the day of the event, Tn. Haji Makhtar Abdullah, CEO of ASAS commented: "The future of Islamic finance will depend not only on products and regulations, but also on the quality, integrity, and commitment of the talents who guide the industry forward. Therefore, I hope today's programme will serve as a catalyst that inspires all of us, as ASAS members, to continue contributing our shari'ah knowledge and expertise towards strengthening the Islamic finance ecosystem."  

Ben Quah, CEO of Labuan IBFC, underscored Labuan IBFC's position as Asia's premier international financial hub in a keynote. "Labuan IBFC's robust Islamic finance framework has successfully positioned the jurisdiction as a leading global hub in this sector. Consequently, we are confident that this collaboration with ASAS will further accelerate and advance the Islamic finance agenda," he said.

The main session focused on the Islamic Digital Asset Centre (IDAC), which drives Islamic digital finance beyond Labuan IBFC. Emerging opportunities exist in digital banking, fintech innovation and broader digital financial services, delegates learned. 

The session also underscored the growing relevance of captive takaful structures as a strategic tool for risk management and cost optimisation. 

MYDIN partners with Lark to accelerate retail digital transformation

Source: Lark. Olivier Adam, Head of Commercial, Lark (left) and Malik Murad Ali Mydin, Director of Mydin Mohamed Holdings (right).

MYDIN, Malaysia's largest halal homegrown retail chain, has adopted the Lark all-in-one productivity platform to digitise, unify, and continue delivering accessible, high-quality, and affordable products and services to communities nationwide. 

The collaboration marks a significant milestone in MYDIN's digital evolution, streamlining communication across its headquarters, logistics hubs, and 77 retail outlets, enabling thousands of employees to collaborate more effectively and respond quickly to customer and market needs. 

By digitising and unifying its daily operations, MYDIN is strengthening its organisational efficiency, empowering team productivity, and building the digital backbone required to support its long-term business ambitions. Lark will become MYDIN's go-to platform for streamlining communications, speeding up workflows, and centralising operational information across all levels. 

Key use cases include: 

All-in-one collaboration 

Integrates messaging, video calls, approvals, forms, and ticketing into one seamless platform, reducing platform switching and improving speed of execution. 

Process standardisation and digitisation 

Uses Lark Base and Wiki to unify operational workflows, store standard operating procedures (SOPs), department guidelines, and checklists, enabling consistent execution and improved compliance across branches. 

Employee engagement and cross-team communication 

Leverages Lark Moments to foster team culture, support company-wide updates, and strengthen engagement among distributed teams across Malaysia. 

Rapid executive decision-making

By establishing a single source of truth, the time required to consolidate project data reduced by 85%. 

Precision financial governance

The move beyond manual spreadsheets to track estimated vs actual costs in real-time, eliminating version control errors and providing instant visibility into budget health for all in-progress projects. 

Operational transparency

Branch opening dates, milestones, and logistics updates are now displayed on live dashboards, ensuring thousands of employees across headquarters and retail branches are aligned. 

Role-based security

Sensitive financial and project data is now protected through structured access governance, ensuring information is only available to authorised personnel.

A centrepiece of this partnership is the digitalisation of MYDIN's environmental, social and governance (ESG) programme. With 67% of Malaysian consumers preferring sustainable brands, MYDIN has moved its solar panel installations and CO₂ emissions tracking onto Lark.

Previously, sustainability data was scattered across multiple legacy systems.Today, MYDIN leadership utilises real-time MapTable visualisations within Lark to monitor energy savings and carbon reduction across every hypermall and mall in their portfolio. 

Mark Dembitz, GM, Lark APAC, shared: "Our partnership with MYDIN marks an exciting milestone in Lark's mission to support the accelerated digitalisation of Southeast Asia's largest and most established retail brands. MYDIN's deep heritage as a trusted family-owned Malaysian retailer, combined with its rapid transformation efforts, sets the foundation for strong, scalable growth. 

"With Lark, teams across MYDIN's many branches, from hypermarkets to convenience stores, can collaborate effortlessly, streamline operations, and enhance service quality for millions of customers nationwide."

Established in 1957, MYDIN has evolved from a wooden shop in Kota Bharu into one of Malaysia's leading retail brands, with 77 outlets nationwide. Anchored by its Why Pay More? Buy at Wholesale Prices! promise, MYDIN delivers quality halal products at affordable prices to Malaysians.

Today, MYDIN continues to evolve, expanding into new retail innovations, digitalisation initiatives, and customer experience enhancements, ensuring it remains competitive and relevant for future generations of Malaysian families. 

Malik Murad Ali, Digital Director of MYDIN, said: "At MYDIN, we believe that retail is in the details, and clear communication is essential to ensuring our teams operate seamlessly across the business. The implementation of Lark as our communication and collaboration platform allows us to streamline coordination, improve operational efficiency, and foster a more connected workforce across all MYDIN formats. 

"By strengthening our internal operations, we are better positioned to serve customers faster, operate more effectively, and continue delivering the everyday value that MYDIN is known for, while supporting our long-term ambition to elevate the Malaysian retail experience as a proud homegrown, community-first brand."

Wego to promote KSA, Turkiye

- AlUla will be showcased to potential visitors searching for their next trip on the Wego holiday app

- Wego will provide easy access to international flights, accommodation, and experiences
 

Source: Wego. Hot air ballooning in AlUla.

AlUla in KSA has partnered with Wego, the travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), to help place the ancient oasis city firmly in the spotlight as one of the region's most extraordinary destinations for culture, art, history and natural heritage.  

The collaboration will showcase the area as a must-visit destination. A premier destination for exploration and discovery, AlUla blends 200,000 years of human history and culture with contemporary art, all celebrated through a heritage that offers immersive experiences, from local storytelling to craft workshops.

Powered by Wego's data-driven reach across MENA, the new campaign will guide users from discovering AlUla's attributes and attractions to booking their trip through seamless access to flights, accommodation, and uniquely experiences. 

Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer, Wego said: "We are proud to partner with AlUla in supporting Saudi Arabia's evolving tourism landscape. AlUla offers travellers an extraordinary combination of heritage and natural beauty, and through Wego's regional footprint and performance-driven campaigns, we are accelerating demand and driving tangible results for the destination." 

Travellers can experience living history at the restored heritage district of AlUla Old Town, trace ancient inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah, stargaze beneath some of the clearest night skies in the region, or relax in desert resorts. 

AlUla is home to Hegra, KSA's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Monumental Nabataean tombs carved into rose-red sandstone are sited here. AlUla is also a year-round hub for culture, art, and lifestyle events, regularly hosting popular festivals such as Winter at Tantora, contemporary art installations at Desert X AlUla, sporting and endurance challenges, and wellness retreats set against dramatic natural backdrops.

Melanie de Souza, Executive Director of Destination Marketing at AlUla, added: "Partnering with Wego enables us to share AlUla's story with a highly engaged regional audience and meet growing GCC demand for immersive cultural experiences. As connectivity expands through AlUla International Airport, with year-round routes from carriers such as Qatar Airways and flydubai, access to the destination continues to grow. We invite travellers to experience AlUla as a vibrant living cultural landscape, where heritage, creativity, conservation, and regenerative development come together."

Flagship projects currently under development, including Wadi AlFann, the forthcoming global destination for Land Art, as well as new cultural institutions such as the AlUla Contemporary Art Museum and the incense road museum will further strengthen AlUla's position on the global cultural stage. At the same time, its growing collection of resorts and boutique hotels offers visitors high-end hospitality experiences that authentically connect with the destination's vibrant heritage and creative future.

Wego is also collaborating with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) to enhance how travellers across the region discover, explore, and plan trips to Türkiye. By integrating Türkiye's diverse tourism offerings into Wego's platform, travellers can seamlessly navigate iconic landmarks and lesser-known regions within a single, trusted travel ecosystem.  

The partnership focuses on elevating destination discovery through richer content, deeper insights, and more intuitive trip planning. 

Türkiye offers a compelling blend of ancient civilisations, Ottoman heritage, modern cities, Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines, and year-round travel appeal. Through Wego, travellers can discover experiences spanning Istanbul's historic neighbourhoods, Cappadocia's surreal landscapes, the coastal charm of Antalya and Bodrum, and the restorative thermal springs of Pamukkale, as well as emerging destinations that encourage deeper exploration. 

Hmidan said: "Türkiye continues to resonate strongly with travellers across the MENA region because it offers such a rich mix of culture, nature, cuisine, and accessibility. Through our collaboration with the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency, we are enhancing how travellers discover and plan their journeys by bringing meaningful destination content and inspiration directly onto the Wego platform. 

"This partnership supports smarter trip planning and encourages travellers to explore Türkiye more deeply, across regions and throughout the year."

According to Wego, there is growing demand from MENA travellers for destinations that combine cultural familiarity with diversity, accessibility, and flexibility. Sinan Seha Türkseven, GM, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency said: "Partnering with Wego allows us to tap into a broad target audience across the Middle East and North Africa. 

"We enjoy reaching out to consumers through a platform they already trust for travel planning. This collaboration supports our vision of presenting Türkiye as a destination that offers both cultural familiarity and depth, from historic cities and coastal regions to culinary routes and nature-based experiences. We look forward to welcoming more travellers to discover Türkiye's diversity across all seasons."

Travellers using Wego can access comprehensive destination information highlighting Türkiye's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, diverse culinary traditions, coastal escapes, and wellness experiences. Accommodation options range from boutique hotels and city stays to all-inclusive resorts, all complemented by strong air connectivity. 

Winners announced for The BrandLaureate World Halal BestBrands Awards 2026

The World Brands Foundation (TWBF) has presented The BrandLaureate World Halal BestBrands Awards 2026. 

For The BrandLaureate, each recognition platform is a reaffirmation of brand purpose, principled leadership, and long-term value creation. In today's increasingly discerning environment, brands are defined not only by visibility, but by the strength of their governance, the discipline of their strategy, and the trust they inspire among stakeholders, the company said.

Across the global halal landscape, the progressive growth of bumiputera enterprises and the evolving fast-moving growing and sustainable business and brands (FMGS) sector, branding has become a catalyst for credibility, competitiveness, and sustainable economic contribution.  

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, these brands have demonstrated that strong identity, structured governance and strategic branding are catalysts for sustainable growth, the organisers said. 

Anchored by the theme Advancing Halal: Inspiring Trust, Elevating Standards, Expanding Vision, The BrandLaureate World Halal BestBrands Awards 2026 recognises brands that have strengthened the global Halal ecosystem through innovation, governance and unwavering commitment to excellence. 

The global halal economy has matured into a multitrillion-dollar force spanning food, pharmaceuticals, finance, logistics, technology, hospitality, and lifestyle. In this expanding landscape, the concept of halal has emerged as a universal symbol of trust, ethics and quality that transcends geography and culture, The BrandLaureate said. 

The award honours brands that understand halal as a disciplined system of values embedded throughout leadership, operations and supply chains. Recipients represent the new standard of halal excellence; brands that elevate industry benchmarks while expanding their global influence. 

Organisations honoured spanned food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, Islamic finance, logistics, manufacturing, hospitality, technology, and professional services. Recipients included Maybank Islamic, Blackmores Malaysia, Ikano Handel (Ikea Malaysia: Swedish Restaurant), KHH Double Lion Fruit Juice Manufacturing, Kart Food Industries, Majlis Agama Islam Selangor and Teo Seng Capital. 

The BrandLaureate World Halal BestBrands Awards 2026 - Signature Brand recognise organisations demonstrating strong brand identity, innovation, and sectoral excellence. The recipients included Apollo Food Industries, Borenos, Halal Products Research Institute: Universiti Putra Malaysia, IKOP Pharma, Gemini Beauty Resources (Kitsui), Kumpulan Medic Iman (KMI Healthcare), Lay Hong (Nutriplus) and RCE Marketing. 

The BrandLaureate World Halal BestBrands Awards 2026 - Most Preferred Brand honoured organisations that have achieved strong consumer trust, preference, and market resonance. Award recipients included HERO 99, JCL Credit Leasing (JCL i-Fund), Kanika Malaysia, Kwantas (Minyak Mas), Desa Southern Food Products (Sweet & Sour), and Village Park Restaurant. 

Strategic business partners of The BrandLaureate World Halal BestBrands Award 2026 include Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) and Halal Development Corporation (HDC). YBhg Dato' Dr. Sirajuddin Bin Suhaimee, Director General of JAKIM, was honoured with The BrandLaureate World Halal BrandLeadership Award 2026 for outstanding leadership in halal governance. 

"In a world of expanding opportunities and intensifying competition, branding is what elevates a business into a lasting force — it is what makes a brand be seen, heard, known, and remembered. As industries evolve and the halal economy rises globally, these awards honour brands that build with trust, stand with purpose, and grow with unwavering resilience," said President Emeritus Professor Dr KK Johan, World President of The World Brands Foundation. 

Source: The BrandLaureate. The World Brands Foundation (TWBF) has celebrated The BrandLaureate World Halal BestBrands Awards 2026. 

Explore

See the full list of winners and award categories.

Salama completes restructuring, focuses on growth

- AED456 M capital reduction and AED155 M mandatory convertible sukuk deliver full balance sheet reset

- Over AED420 M of legacy exposures resolved

With its capital restructuring complete, Salama Islamic Arab Insurance Company (SALAMA) is now positioned to deliver sustainable, long-term value to its stakeholders. One of the world's leading composite shari'ah-compliant takaful providers, SALAMA announced in late April that it has concluded a multiyear transformation and re-established its financial strength.

SALAMA has restored its solvency position in line with the requirements of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), positioning the company as a well-capitalised, disciplined and growth-ready takaful insurer with renewed underwriting capacity.

The restructuring programme included an AED456 M capital reduction, eliminating accumulated losses and aligning the company's equity base with its underlying economic position. As part of this reset, SALAMA resolved over AED420 M of legacy and non-admissible exposures, including disputed assets, historical impairments, and foreign exchange-related adjustments, materially strengthening the balance sheet, and reducing volatility.

The transformation was completed through the successful conversion of an AED155 M mandatory convertible sukuk (MCS) and issuance of new shares, a shari'ah-compliant capital instrument fully-subscribed by strategic institutional investors Eshraq Investments and Humana Holding.  

SALAMA is now focused on delivering disciplined underwriting performance and sustainable growth. The company is: 

- Reinstating its underwriting capacity across its core business segments 

- Re-engaging key distribution channels, including corporate partnerships 

- Driving profitable growth across the life & wealth, property and casualty (P&C), and health sectors 

- Enhancing its claims service, operational efficiency and customer experience

Essa Ali Bin Salem Alzaabi, Chairman of SALAMA said: "The successful completion of this transformation reflects the board's commitment to restoring the company's financial strength and long-term sustainability. With a fully reset balance sheet and strengthened capital position, SALAMA is now well positioned to pursue its strategic priorities with confidence and discipline."

Mohamed Ali Bouabane, Group CEO, SALAMA added: "The completion of our restructuring programme marks a decisive turning point for SALAMA. We have taken clear and disciplined actions to reset the balance sheet, resolve legacy exposures and re-establish a strong capital foundation for the business. 

"Today, SALAMA is a well-capitalised and compliant insurer, with the financial strength and operational discipline required to compete effectively. Our focus now is on execution, delivering consistent underwriting performance, strengthening our market position and driving sustainable growth across our core businesses." 

Lim Traders goes D2C with The Halal Meat Specialist

Lim Traders, a meat importer, processor and distributor in Singapore with over 40 years of experience, has launched its direct-to-consumer (D2C) platform, The Halal Meat Specialist at https://www.thehalalmeatspecialist.com/. 

Customers can purchase a wide range of halal-certified products, including poultry, beef, lamb, seafood and ready-to-cook items. 

Lim Traders operates across the entire value chain, from importation and processing to storage and distribution, ensuring strict quality control at every stage. All products are certified halal by Singapore's certification body Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS). The company also holds certifications such as SS590:2013 and BizSafe Level 3, reinforcing its commitment to food safety, operational excellence and compliance.

Customers can enjoy: 

- Free delivery for orders above S$100 

- A $15 delivery fee for smaller orders 

- Delivery time slots between 8:30 am and 6 pm 

A self-collection option is available at Lim Traders' facility in Chin Bee Road.

Agoda: 55% Increase in Eid accommodation searches

Digital travel platform Agoda has recorded a 55% month-on-month increase in accommodation searches from travellers in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore for check-ins during the festive period of 20 to 23 March 2026. Bali was the most-searched destination for travellers from these three countries, with Yogyakarta, Bandung, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo following closely as prime destinations.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, or Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of the month of Ramadhan and is a time for reunion, celebration and meaningful time with loved ones. Travel demand typically rises as people return to hometowns, visit family, or plan a short break after a month of spiritual focus. During this festive season, while close-to-home destinations, such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand remain popular, Agoda is also observing increased interest in destinations that offer a different kind of festive getaway.

"Traditionally, travel during cultural festive periods meant returning home, but we're observing a change in preference as many look beyond familiar destinations. Japan and China, for example, are growing in appeal this festive season as they become more accessible through measures like eased visa rules and new, unique experiences," said Andrew Smith, Senior VP, Supply, Agoda.

"When travel is made easier, interest follows. Hotels that recognise these trends and remove booking friction - by offering localised experiences, tailored content in the traveler's language and convenient local payment options - will be best placed to capture growth this festive season."

China ranked as one of the top five destinations for travellers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore, with a 7% year‑on‑year increase in accommodation searches during the Eid festive period. This momentum was amplified by the market's recent expansion of visa‑exemption and eased transit rules, which have reduced friction for travellers, according to China's State Council.

Meanwhile, in Japan's increase in appeal comes as the country looks to grow inbound tourism over the longer term. According to reports by the World Economic Forum, the shift comes as the government has set a target of attracting 60 million foreign tourists annually by 2030, alongside wider efforts to welcome a broader range of travellers.

The upcoming festive travel season presents hoteliers with the chance to finetune their localisation strategies to better accommodate various travellers' needs, such as implementing halal-friendly options. 

Agoda's Tailored to Win report shows that reflecting cultural, linguistic and behavioural preferences is increasingly vital for hotels and accommodation partners looking to stand out. According to Agoda, hoteliers can strengthen appeal this Eid season by clearly addressing questions what travellers tend to decide on first, including meal options, prayer access, family suitability and proximity to relevant attractions. Halal-certified meals, prayer facilities and other Muslim-friendly amenities should be highlighted, the company recommended. 

The report also found that hotels implementing advanced localisation strategies saw a 59% positive impact on revenue per available room (RevPAR).