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PROTECTING YOUR WELLBEING DURING PEAK SUMMER TRAVEL: A BUSINESS FOCUSED PERSPECTIVE

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By Dr Ryan Copeland, Regional Medical Director, Middle East, International SOS

Peak summer travel has become one of the most demanding periods for professionals, executives, and frontline employees across industries. Whether your organization operates in aviation, hospitality, logistics, retail, or corporate services, the season brings intensified workloads, higher customer expectations, and increased environmental stressors. Protecting employee wellbeing isn’t just a moral imperative – it’s a strategic business priority that directly influences performance, customer satisfaction, and long-term organizational resilience.

The Business Case for Prioritizing Wellbeing

Employee wellbeing during peak travel season is strongly correlated with operational reliability. Heat exposure, disrupted sleep patterns, crowded environments, and elevated stress levels can reduce cognitive performance by up to 20–30%, impacting decision making, safety, and productivity. For businesses, this translates into:

•            Operational delays

•            Higher error rates

•            Increased absenteeism

•            Lower customer satisfaction scores

•            Reduced employee engagement

Protecting wellbeing isn’t a “soft” initiative – it’s a risk management strategy that safeguards revenue, brand reputation, and workforce stability.

Key Summer Stressors Affecting the Workforce

• Extreme heat exposure: Outdoor teams, airport staff, drivers, and hospitality workers face prolonged heat, increasing risk of dehydration and heat related illness.

• High passenger and customer volumes: More interactions, more complaints, and more pressure on service teams.

• Irregular schedules: Shift workers and traveling professionals often experience disrupted sleep and circadian misalignment.

• Travel fatigue: Executives and mobile employees face long transit times, crowded terminals, and reduced recovery windows.

• Environmental irritants: Sun exposure, poor air quality, and humidity can worsen respiratory conditions and fatigue.

These factors compound, creating a unique seasonal strain that businesses must proactively address.

Strategic Measures to Protect Employee Wellbeing

Below are targeted, business aligned strategies that support workforce health and performance during peak summer travel.

1. Heat Safety Protocols

Implement structured cooling breaks, shaded rest areas, and hydration stations. Equip teams with breathable uniforms and ensure managers monitor heat index levels daily.

2. Smart Scheduling

Use data driven scheduling to reduce consecutive long shifts, limit overnight rotations, and build in recovery periods. Predictive staffing models help prevent burnout and absenteeism.

3. Travel Health Guidance

Offer employees practical guidance on hydration, sleep hygiene, sun protection, and nutrition during travel. Encourage them to avoid heavy meals before flights and maintain consistent sleep routines.

4. Workload Redistribution

Balance staffing across departments to avoid bottlenecks. Temporary cross training can reduce pressure on overstretched teams.

5. Mental Health Support

Provide access to short form counselling, digital wellbeing tools, and stress management resources. Normalize micro breaks and encourage leaders to model healthy behaviours.

6. Environmental Controls

Optimize indoor air quality, adjust cooling systems, and ensure proper ventilation in high traffic areas.

The Leadership Imperative

Executives and managers play a pivotal role in shaping a culture that values wellbeing. During peak travel season, leadership should:

• Communicate expectations clearly and early

• Reinforce safety protocols

• Encourage employees to report fatigue or heat stress

• Celebrate small wins to maintain morale

• Monitor performance metrics for signs of strain

A proactive leadership stance reduces risk and strengthens organizational trust.

Supporting Traveling Employees

Many businesses rely on employees who travel extensively during summer – sales teams, consultants, medical staff, and operational leaders. Protecting their wellbeing requires:

• Flexible travel policies that allow for rest periods

• Access to telehealth for quick medical support

• Guidelines for safe hydration and sun exposure

• Encouragement to use airport lounges or quiet zones

• Clear expectations around after-hours communication

These measures help maintain cognitive sharpness, reduce fatigue, and support sustained performance.

Building a Resilient Workforce

Organizations that invest in wellbeing during peak summer travel see measurable returns:

• Higher productivity

• Lower turnover

• Stronger customer satisfaction

• Reduced medical claims

• Improved brand reputation

Wellbeing is not a seasonal initiative; it’s a year-round business strategy. But summer demands heightened attention due to environmental and operational pressures.

Final Thought

Peak summer travel is a high stakes period for businesses. Protecting employee wellbeing isn’t just compassionate; it’s commercially smart. By implementing structured safety measures, supporting mental and physical health, and empowering leaders to prioritize wellbeing, organizations can navigate the season with resilience, efficiency, and confidence.

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Hospitality

Keeta Drone Launches New Drone Delivery Route Serving Dubai Silicon Oasis Headquarters

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Keeta Drone, the pioneering air delivery company, today announced the launch of a new drone delivery route serving the headquarters office complex at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation and a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). The route brings on-demand aerial delivery to professionals working within the complex and expands the range of food and beverage brands that can be ordered through Keeta Drone.

The route was inaugurated at DSO headquarters, attended by representatives from Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), and Keeta Drone. The new route builds on Keeta Drone’s established presence in Dubai Silicon Oasis, where its operations already serve RIT– Dubai University and residential communities. Through extending the network to the DSO headquarters complex, the company is introducing aerial delivery services into a commercial workplace environment, expanding the range of locations and customer segments served by its operations.

Badr Buhannad, Director General of Dubai Silicon Oasis, said: “Keeta Drone’s expansion to the Dubai Silicon Oasis headquarters reflects the growing role of innovative technologies in shaping more connected and efficient urban environments. As the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation, Dubai Silicon Oasis continues to support Dubai’s ambition to build a knowledge-driven, innovation-led economy in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”

“This route creates a new scenario in which employees in an office complex experience air deliveries right within their own compound,” said Junwei Yang, General Manager, Keeta Drone. “Bringing the service to DSO HQ is a new feather in Keeta Drone’s cap, expanding access with a new location by adding new community segments to our portfolio.”

Enhancing Workplace Convenience Through Urban Air Mobility

More than 1,000 professionals working within the DSO headquarters commercial complex can now order from participating F&B brands, including Costa Coffee, Bazooka, Tortilla, We Asian, Shawarmary, Chicking, JJ Chicken, Starbucks, Raju Omlet, among others. Orders are delivered to a designated landing and collection point within the complex, allowing employees to access participating outlets without leaving the premises. The service operates daily from 09:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with operations approved by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

Expanding Access to New Communities and Customer Segments

The new route builds on Keeta Drone’s established presence in the area, complementing its existing delivery points near the lockers located in DSO at RIT Dubai University Campus and the Emirates Airline residential towers, as well as service locations in Nad Al Sheba Grand Mosque and Dubai Land. Operating in the area for more than a year, Keeta Drone continues to expand its network across university, residential and neighbouring communities, extending the reach of its drone delivery services to new locations and customer segments. Keeta Drone has completed more than one million drone deliveries globally, reflecting the scale and reliability of its operations. The milestone highlights the company’s continued efforts to expand drone-enabled logistics services and introduce new delivery use cases across different environments and communities.

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Hospitality

This UAE National Day, Put Local on the Menu: The Emirati Founder Reimagining Dates and Camel Milk

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As the UAE prepares to celebrate its 55th National Day, it’s time to recognise not only the country’s heritage, but also the homegrown entrepreneurs finding new ways to carry it forward. For young Emirati entrepreneur Rashid Gargash, that means looking at familiar ingredients through a contemporary lens and exploring how they can become part of the way people eat today.

Rashid’s journey began with research into food security and sustainable nutrition in the Middle East. His work examined the region’s agricultural realities, including desalination, groundwater challenges and available food resources. Along the way, dates and camel milk stood out as ingredients with deep connections to the UAE’s food heritage and potential for new applications.

Working alongside food scientists and researchers, Rashid explored how these ingredients could be developed into a nutritious, convenient product suited to contemporary lifestyles. The process eventually led to Rashtions, a UAE-made snack brand that combines dates, camel milk and ghee across a range of protein-rich snacks.

The range includes Date Original, Date Truffle, Cocoa Truffle and Brazilian Coffee Truffle, with products providing up to 20 grams of protein per 80-gram serving. They are made without added sugar, preservatives or artificial sweeteners.

“Rashtions began with a broader question about food security and how we could better understand and utilise the resources available in our region,” said Rashid Gargash, Founder of Rashtions. “Dates and camel milk have long been part of the UAE’s food story, and I wanted to explore how familiar ingredients could be approached through research and innovation to create something relevant to the way people eat today.”

For Rashid, the journey has also reinforced a wider lesson about entrepreneurship: innovation does not always mean starting from scratch. It can begin by looking more closely at what already exists, questioning how it is used and finding new ways to make it relevant. In the food sector, that means considering not only nutritional value, but also taste, convenience and whether a product fits into people’s everyday lives.

As the 55th UAE National Day approaches, Rashid believes supporting homegrown businesses is one way consumers can contribute to the next chapter of the UAE’s entrepreneurial story. Choosing UAE-founded brands and products made in the country can help bring greater visibility to the people developing local ideas into businesses, while demonstrating that heritage and modern innovation can work together.

Rashtions is available through ADNOC and Emarat service stations, Deliveroo and Noon, as well as directly through the brand’s website, with delivery available across the UAE.

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Hospitality

From the French Riviera to Abu Dhabi: La Môme Makes Its Grand Debut with an Exclusive Four-Day Race Weekend Takeover

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This December, the French Riviera comes to Yas Marina as La Môme makes its Abu Dhabi debut, in partnership with Sunset Hospitality Group, with an exclusive four-day takeover during race weekend. From 3 to 6 December 2026, the celebrated Cannes-born restaurant brings its signature mix of exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, Riviera glamour, and lively entertainment to the capital, creating a sophisticated yet vibrant setting for race-weekend dining and celebrations, minutes from the circuit.

With an established presence at the Monaco Grand Prix, where La Môme Monte-Carlo hosts a rooftop dining and hospitality experience overlooking the famous race circuit, the brand has a longstanding connection to the glamour and excitement of international motor racing. Now, La Môme brings that same spirit to Abu Dhabi, offering a sophisticated setting for long lunches, elegant dinners, and lively evenings.

At the table, La Môme’s approach is generous, expressive, and unmistakably Mediterranean. The menu celebrates quality ingredients and balanced flavours, with starters such as Artichoke Salad and Wagyu Carpaccio with Black Truffle, alongside a refined selection of Oysters and Caviar. Signature pastas and main courses include Tagliolini with King Prawns, Rigatoni with Truffle, and Japanese A5 Wagyu Sirloin.

In the evenings, Sounds of Riviera, a roaming live band from the French Riviera, will move through the restaurant performing French and Italian classics alongside international favourites. Daily DJ sets will move from laid-back Dolce Vita sounds to late-night house music.

Guided by L’Art de Recevoir signé La Môme, the French art of hospitality, the team ensures thoughtful, personalised service, genuine warmth, and attention to detail. Guests are made to feel equally at ease whether enjoying a leisurely afternoon at the table or celebrating late into the evening.

Daily lunch is served from 12PM to 7PM, followed by dinner from 7PM onwards. While guests can dine à la carte on Thursday, 3 December, minimum spends apply from Friday, 4 December to Sunday, 6 December:

  • Indoor Dining: AED 500 per person for lunch; AED 1,000 per person for dinner | Terrace Dining: AED 650 per person for lunch; AED 1,200 per person for dinner.

With its combination of refined dining, a vibrant atmosphere, and a prime Yas Marina location, the takeover promises to be a highlight on the city’s social calendar and an essential stop for race-weekend gatherings.

Full prepayment is required to confirm reservations. Cancellations made at least 48 hours in advance are eligible for a full refund, while cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Walk-ins are welcome, subject to availability and the applicable minimum spend.

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