Hospitality
Amazon UAE and UAE Food Bank Collaborate for the Fifth Year to Donate and Deliver Iftar Meals to Families in Need
Amazon UAE recently announced its partnership with the UAE Food Bank to launch the 2025 edition of its ‘Iftar on Wheels’ food donation program. This marks the fifth year of Amazon’s collaboration with the UAE Food Bank to deliver iftar meals and food essentials to thousands of beneficiaries across the country during the Holy month of Ramadan.
Since its launch in 2021, the ‘Iftar on Wheels’ program has made a significant impact on vulnerable communities across the UAE, contributing nearly 1.4 million meals and over 230,000 kilograms of essential food items. Building on this success, Amazon will once again leverage its cutting-edge technology, extensive fulfillment operations, and robust delivery network to ensure the safe and timely distribution of meals to thousands of underprivileged families during the Holy month.
Over the past four years, Amazon’s ‘Iftar on Wheels’ has reached more than 37,000 beneficiaries across the country. This effort has been made possible by the dedication of Amazon employees who volunteer thousands of hours each year to support the packaging and distribution of meals, ensuring they reach vulnerable communities reliably each day. ‘Iftar on Wheels’ is one of the company’s largest volunteering programs and it continues to grow. The 2025 edition has expanded to welcome even more employees from all Amazon business units, coming together to support those in need during Ramadan.
Commenting on the partnership, Manal Obaid Bin Yaroof, Head of the Executive Team of the UAE Food Bank Foundation said, “At the UAE Food Bank, we believe strong partnerships are essential to achieving a hunger-free and sustainable future. Our collaboration with Amazon UAE exemplifies this belief, allowing us to significantly expand our reach and impact. Together, we’ll ensure meals reach those in need, best use of surplus food, raise consumers awareness to reduce food waste and inspire positive change across local and international communities. This partnership is a great example of how collaboration can create a lasting impact and help drive positive change.”
Stefano Martinelli, Vice President, Amazon Middle East and North Africa, said: “As the UAE begins the ‘Year of Community’, we remain steadfast in our commitment to deploy our innovation, technology and people for the good of our communities. The Holy month of Ramadan is a special time of the year as we continue to serve customers during this busy season, while also leveraging our scale and resources to deliver meaningful impact on thousands of families in need. We remain deeply grateful for our long-standing partnership with the UAE Food Bank and the unwavering dedication of our employees who have been the backbone of the ‘Iftar on Wheels’ program.”
Abeer Mohamed, Human Resources Specialist, Amazon UAE, remarked, “Over the past few years, I have made it a priority to volunteer for Amazon’s ‘Iftar on Wheels’ because it brings a strong sense of purpose to both my personal and professional life. Generosity and a shared sense of solidarity are at the heart of Emirati culture, and this program allows me to leverage my professional expertise in service of those in need. I am proud to be part of a company that values giving back and making a positive difference in the community.”
Amazon’s ‘Iftar on Wheels’ program is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to address food insecurity in the communities where it operates. By utilizing its scale, operational expertise and resources the company supports the critical work of its community partners to help create access to more meals for those in need.
Hospitality
HEALTHY SIPS FOR DADS WHO PUT WELLNESS FIRST
This Father’s Day, skip the usual gifts and treat health-conscious dads to something that supports their wellbeing from the inside out. UAE homegrown brand Saba Plant-Based offers a range of organic, probiotic-rich drinks crafted using fermentation, live cultures and carefully selected ingredients to support digestive wellness while delivering great taste. Convenient, refreshing and easy to incorporate into daily routines, these functional beverages make thoughtful gifts for fathers looking to prioritise healthy habits.



Water Kefir
Light, fruity and refreshing, Saba Plant-Based’s newly launched Water Kefir is packed with live probiotics that support gut health. This water-based fermented drink is caffeine-free, gentle on digestion and ideal for staying refreshed throughout the warmer months.
Flavours available in Blue Spirulina & Lemon Mint and Dragon Fruit, Strawberry & Lemon.

Apple Cider Vinegar Shots
For dads who appreciate practical wellness solutions, these convenient gut health shots are made with raw apple cider vinegar and designed to support healthy daily habits. Easy to enjoy at home, at work or on the go, they offer a simple addition to any wellness routine.
Flavours available in Cardamom & Ginger and Verbena & Orange Blossom.

Plant-Based Kefir
Made with organic coconut milk and live vegan kefir cultures, this creamy dairy-free alternative is rich in beneficial bacteria that support digestive wellbeing. It can be enjoyed on its own or added to smoothies and breakfast bowls for a probiotic boost.
Flavour available in Natural, Vanilla and Mango-Pineapple.

Organic Kombucha
As the first brand to locally brew organic-certified kombucha in the UAE, Saba Plant-Based offers a naturally refreshing fermented tea made with live cultures and organic ingredients. Raw, unpasteurised and low in sugar, it provides a flavourful alternative to conventional soft drinks.
Available in Classic, Mango, Raspberry, Peppermint, Hibiscus Basil, Cardamom and Ginger Turmeric.
Whether your father is a fitness enthusiast, wellness advocate or simply looking to make healthier everyday choices, Saba Plant-Based’s range of probiotic drinks offers a thoughtful Father’s Day gift that supports gut health, hydration and overall wellbeing.
The brand’s full gut-healthy product range can be purchased on www.sabaplantbased.ae or at supermarkets across UAE including Kibsons, Spinneys and Waitrose.
Hospitality
ROHINI DUBAI LAUNCHES REFLECTIVE KINTSUGI KAHANI EXPERIENCE FOR CREATIVE AUDIENCES
On 27 June, Rohini will host the Kintsugi Kahani Experience, inspired by the Japanese art of golden repair. Rooted in the philosophy of embracing imperfection, the experience invites guests to explore creativity through a hands-on workshop that celebrates the beauty found in flaws and life’s imperfections.
Throughout the evening, participants will create a meaningful keepsake to take home while engaging with the centuries-old concept of transforming brokenness into something beautiful and unique. Designed as a reflective and creative experience, the workshop offers guests an opportunity to connect with the art form in an intimate and inspiring setting.
Hospitality
GCC Travellers Are Heading Away Earlier for Eid Al Adha, Dragonpass Data Reveals
Dragonpass, the world’s leading provider of digital airport ecosystem platforms, has revealed new travel data showing a notable shift in how travellers across the GCC are planning their Eid journeys, with demand surging before Eid Al Adha rather than during the holiday itself.
According to Dragonpass data, travel activity across the GCC increased by 69% in the week leading up to Eid Al Adha 2026. However, rather than peaking during the holiday period, travel activity declined by 24% during Eid week and a further 18% in the week immediately after, suggesting many travellers chose to depart ahead of the holiday period.
The trend marks a clear contrast to Eid Al Fitr earlier this year, when travel activity across the GCC rose by 6% during the holiday week itself before declining by 20% in the following week. Saudi Arabia recorded the strongest Eid Al Fitr uplift in the region, with travel activity increasing by 25% during the holiday week.
Several GCC markets recorded particularly strong growth in the lead-up to Eid Al Adha. Kuwait saw the largest increase, with travel activity rising by 124.7% week-on-week, followed by Bahrain (+108.5%), the UAE (+79.2%), Qatar (+59.5%) and Saudi Arabia (+58.4%).
Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, said: “The contrast between Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha is one of the most interesting travel trends we have observed this year. While Eid Al Fitr generated a more traditional holiday-week travel spike, Eid Al Adha saw travellers moving significantly earlier, with demand building before the holiday rather than during it.
“This highlights the dynamic nature of travel behaviour across the GCC and reinforces the importance of understanding how demand shifts around key travel periods. Despite periods of disruption affecting regional travel earlier this year, demand across the GCC has remained resilient, with travellers continuing to prioritise leisure and holiday travel.”
Saudi Arabia remained one of the region’s strongest-performing travel markets throughout both holiday periods. During Eid Al Fitr, the Kingdom recorded the clearest holiday-driven uplift in the GCC, with growth spread across several major airports. Madinah recorded the strongest increase at 58%, followed by Jeddah (29%), Dammam (25%) and Riyadh (22%).
During Eid Al Adha, Madinah again stood out as a key exception to the wider regional trend, recording a 20% increase during Eid week and a further 58% increase post-Eid, reflecting continued religious travel activity around the holiday period.
Looking ahead, Dragonpass expects strong travel demand across the GCC throughout the summer months. The latest Eid travel trends suggest travellers are becoming more deliberate in how they plan journeys around peak holiday periods, while demand for regional and international travel remains resilient. As summer travel gathers pace, these shifting patterns are expected to continue shaping passenger flows across the region.
As aviation connectivity continues to expand across the GCC, understanding how travellers adapt their behaviour around major holidays and peak travel periods will become increasingly important for airports, airlines and the wider travel ecosystem.
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