By: Jakob Westh Christensen, Market Analyst at eToro

The one investment megatrend to watch out for is the rollout of AI. There is no doubt that this single megatrend has the potential to reshape companies and economies – and your investments.

As AI automates tasks that workers perform today manually, we will see a significant uptick in productivity in companies and economies. Seeing the megatrend is clear, but positioning your investment is the hard part. We are still in the early stages of this revolution, and I don’t expect we will see a measurable productivity impact on companies’ and economies’ output until 2 to 3 years.

While the earnings growth (and stock price gains) so far are coming from the chip designers and manufacturers, it’s vital for the successful investor to identify the sectors and companies that eventually will benefit from a productivity boost and consequently stronger earnings.

This is likely to be found in companies where they can achieve a high degree of automation, and at the same time have a strong competitive advantage. This ensures that cost cutting results in margin expansion, and not just passing on cost cutting to end users.

For example, the taxi industry could achieve an exceptionally high level of productivity per employee with the introduction of self-driving cars. While initially, the industry could see a margin expansion with a lower employee cost base, this competitive industry could soon see price competition lowering margin to ‘normalised levels’, benefiting the consumer and, to a lesser extent, the investors.

On the other hand, insurance companies could see significant cost reductions in the underwriting process, which can be highly automated. At the same time, customer habits and customer inertia can result in less price competition, benefitting the company and its investors.

Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager – Northern Emirates

How does Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel differentiate itself in the luxury segment?

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel redefines luxury with its exceptional blend of exclusivity, exceptional service and a profound commitment to social responsibility.  Situated in the breathtaking view of the Arabian Gulf, our resort offers a serene retreat, setting a standard for secluded luxury itself. 

Guests are welcomed with attentive services and bespoke experiences, ensuring that every guest’s needs and desires are met with precision and care. Every aspect of the guest experience is thoughtfully designed to deliver a truly unparalleled and extraordinary stay.

Beyond its opulence, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel is a leader in sustainable luxury, implementing eco-friendly practices that minimize environmental impact.  The resort utilizes electronic registration for its guest’s registration, provides Electric Vehicle Charging station, adheres to rigorous waste reduction and recycling programs.  We also engage in community initiatives, and partner with local communities to promote sustainability. Our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices further enhances its appeal, resonating with discerning travelers who value both luxury and social responsibility. 

With a focus on superlative service and meticulous attention to detail, how does your team ensure that every guest enjoys a personalized stay?

At Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, our team ensures every guest enjoys their stay with us through a commitment to exceptional services.  Our staff undergoes extensive training to anticipate guest needs and deliver exceptional service, ensuring that every interaction is thoughtful and tailored.  We use advanced technology to track guest requests and act on it immediately.  We utilize guest profiles and past stays to provide customized recommendations and anticipate future needs.   Our team maintains these records to ensure that every detail, from the room preferences to dietary restrictions, is seamlessly integrated into the guest experience. 

Can you share how Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel elevates the dining experience to match the luxurious ambiance of the property?

Guests are treated to high-quality, expertly prepared dishes by our skillful chefs, using fresh, premium ingredients that highlight both local and international flavours.  The elegant dining spaces such as Arabesque Restaurant – an all-day-dining  restaurant; Dragon’s Place – where you can enjoy the finest Asian fusion delicacies; Nojoom Lounge – where you can enjoy Shisha with a mix of your favourite dishes; and, Bahi Café –  all day savoury pastries,  all are designed to complement the Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel’s opulent atmosphere and refined décor that creates a captivating environment. 

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel is described as a heritage retreat with a contemporary spirit. How do you blend traditional elements with modern luxury?

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel is a stunning example of traditional architecture blended with contemporary design.  We artfully merge traditional Arabian elements with modern luxury to create a unique and immersive experience. 

Our luxury hotel rooms & suites combine the convenience of modern designs and the rich feel of the Arabian architecture. The Arabesque detail in the design, the use of ‘Mashrabiya’, the warm brocades and the subtle gold touches create a unique and distinguished feel.

Our luxury restaurant features a mystical One Thousand and One Night, shaped in the form of a half crescent, with the hanging Arabian royal handmade lamps, mounted torches and warm design.

As an upscale 5-Star brand, what strategies do you employ to attract and retain discerning travelers who seek a luxurious yet distinctive environment?

To attract and retain discerning travelers who seek a luxurious yet distinctive environment, Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel, as an upscale 5-star brand, employs a range of sophisticated strategies.  We offer exceptional services through tailored services and bespoke amenities that cater individual preference most especially those who are celebrating special occasion, like we offer unique and personalized sand-writing on the beach, crafted for guest’s special occasion.

As known for its luxury and guest experience, we ensure that guests can enjoy our series of special pool activities, such as offering our dynamic aqua aerobics program led by our experienced team.  This program provides a refreshing workout in the pool, combining fitness with fun in a vibrant and social setting. 

On environment part, we ensure the active participation in our environmental initiatives during their stay with us, such as simple waste segregation in their room, minimizing the use of plastics, conserving water & energy in their room.  This ensures a luxurious stay yet aligns with eco-conscious values. 

How does the private beach setting contribute to the experience at the Hotel?

A private beach setting at Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel greatly enhances the guest experience.  This unique feature allows guests to enjoy unparalleled privacy and seclusion, with dedicated lifeguards and premium amenities such as plush loungers, umbrellas and also features shaded areas provided by lush trees allowing guests to relax in natural environment.  The setting also allows options to order food and beverages directly from the beach.

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel recently collaborated with Dr. Linen in the 360 Weave Textile Recycling Initiative. Can you elaborate on the significance of this initiative for your hotel and how it aligns with your broader sustainability goals?

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel recently collaborated with Dr. Linen in the 360 Weave Textile Recycling Initiative, handed over 745 kilograms of old linens and uniforms that can no longer be used.  The initiative transforms discarded linens and uniforms into new, useful materials, ensuring that they are repurposed effectively and contributing to a reduction in textile waste.

The initiative is a significant step to address the growing concern of textile waste and aligns with Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel’s broader sustainability goals.  By participating in this initiative, we made a substantial impact on waste reduction, resource conservation, and overall environmental responsibility.

Is luxury defined by price or by experience?

Luxury is primarily defined by experience rather than price, and this extends to environmental care as well.  Luxury involves exceptional service, the ability to provide quality, unique and memorable experiences and a commitment to sustainability.  By integrating environmental care into luxury experience, brands not only offer refined comfort but also demonstrate a responsible approach to preserving the natural world.   The combination of exceptional service, quality and environmental stewardship defines the modern concept of luxury.

Genetec will showcase the latest version of its flagship unified security platform Security Center, as well as a range of cloud-ready solutions at Intersec Saudi Arabia 2024.

Taking place from 1- 3 October 2024 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the sixth edition of the country’s premier security trade fair will see Genetec at the forefront of discussions on how advanced physical security systems and cutting-edge analytics are shaping the Kingdom’s smart city ambitions.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Genetec experts and explore how unified physical security solutions are unlocking new capabilities for businesses and government entities across the region.

Exhibiting at Hall 1, Stand E-12, Genetec will also provide insights into the latest advancements in hybrid cloud-based security. According to key findings from the 2024 State of Physical Security report, most organizations prefer a hybrid approach, combining both on-premises and cloud-based solutions. Close to 60% percent of end-user respondents revealed that their organizations aim for a security deployment strategy that combines both, with 12% of regional end-users stating that their organizations are currently storing video surveillance data both locally and in the cloud.

As Saudi Arabia continues its journey towards Vision 2030, security infrastructure has become a critical enabler in modernizing cities like Riyadh, Makkah, Jeddah, and Madinah through smart city projects. Advanced physical security solutions play a pivotal role in supporting and safeguarding critical infrastructure, enhancing public safety, and enabling seamless urban development as the Kingdom moves toward attaining its goals.

“In a rapidly evolving security landscape, it is essential for physical security professionals in Saudi Arabia to remain agile, embracing new technologies that not only protect people and infrastructure but also deliver valuable operational insights that enable smarter decision-making,” said Firas Jadalla, Regional Director – Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META), Genetec Inc. “We are excited to return to Intersec Saudi Arabia and showcase how our cutting-edge solutions support the Kingdom’s ambitious smart city initiatives and Vision 2030 goals.”

Intersec Saudi Arabia 2024 will provide an ideal platform for Genetec to demonstrate its commitment to the Kingdom, following a series of strategic investments including the expansion of its Riyadh office and increased collaboration with local partners.