Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a seasoned media professional and content strategist with a passion for storytelling across digital platforms. As a contributor to Abu Dhabi Week, Sam brings a sharp editorial eye and a deep appreciation for the culture, innovation, and lifestyle that define the UAE capital. With over a decade of experience in journalism and public relations, he covers everything from local events and business trends to travel, dining, and community highlights. When he's not writing, Sam is exploring the hidden gems of Abu Dhabi, always on the lookout for the next story worth sharing.
Aiming to reshape how hotels engage with guests and manage operations, The First Group Hospitality has entered into a strategic partnership with Inntelo AI, a leading provider of AI-native guest experience and operations solutions. This collaboration marks a bold new chapter in the digital reinvention of hospitality. Building on a successful deployment at TRYP by Wyndham Dubai, the company will roll out Inntelo’s innovative technology across all its properties, including the iconic Ciel Dubai Marina – Vignette Collection by IHG, soon to be recognised as the tallest hotel in the world. Through Inntelo’s AI-powered ecosystem, guests will enjoy instant, intuitive…
The spotlight will be on Riyadh later this month as the city welcomes Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the Kingdom’s largest and most influential creative marketing gathering. The festival will bring together top decision makers, leading brands, and emerging talent to celebrate innovation and the power of creative communication. Featuring a remarkable lineup of over 200 renowned speakers, the festival will host some of the industry’s most recognised creative minds, including HRH Princess Lamia Bint Majed Al Saud, Jo Malone CBE, Ellie Norman, Mo Gawdat, and Ali Ali. Together, they will share insights, experiences, and forward-thinking perspectives shaping the…
From spooky dining to fang-tastic fun, Central Hotels & Resorts transforms October into a month of food, festivities, and frightful delights. Dubai, UAE; 14 October 2025 – Central Hotels & Resorts is turning up the excitement this October with a series of themed dining events that combine delicious cuisine with family fun. From Halloween celebrations to Oktoberfest-inspired gatherings, guests can look forward to a vibrant line-up of experiences across the group’s renowned Dubai properties, each promising exceptional flavours and lively entertainment. At Canal Central Hotel Business Bay, guests are invited to “Fangs & Feasts” Night Brunch at Lilly’s Social House.…
The UAE capital is set to welcome the return of world-class women’s tennis as the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, announces the dates for its highly anticipated fourth edition. The tournament will take place from 31 January to 7 February 2026 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City. Following a record-breaking 2025 event, which saw eight of the world’s top 20 players and thousands of fans attend over eight thrilling days, the 2026 edition promises to deliver even greater excitement, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for top-tier sporting events. The Mubadala…
A new global survey by Cloudera reveals that 59% of UAE enterprises have already embedded artificial intelligence within their main business processes, as organisations continue to harness AI for improved outcomes and sustainable growth. The study also identifies hybrid data architecture as a fundamental driver for deploying AI securely and at scale. Dubai, UAE – 13 October 2025 – Cloudera, the only company bringing AI to data anywhere, has unveiled the findings of its comprehensive global survey report titled The Evolution of AI: The State of Enterprise AI and Data Architecture. The study, which surveyed over 1,500 IT leaders worldwide,…
HP has officially inaugurated its first global technology manufacturing facility in Riyadh and launched an AI Research and Development Centre of Excellence in Dhahran, signalling a strong commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda. News in Brief HP (NYSE: HPQ) today marked a major milestone with the commencement of operations at its new Riyadh-based manufacturing facility and the official opening of its AI R&D Centre of Excellence in Dhahran. The two initiatives are designed to boost local employment, accelerate technological progress, and support the Kingdom’s growing digital economy. “Saudi Arabia has a bright future, is developing rapidly, and needs…
Home heroes Jameel Motorsport celebrated a historic triumph in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia, as drivers Molly Taylor and Kevin Hansen powered to victory in the debut FIA Extreme H World Cup — the world’s first hydrogen-powered event under FIA sanction. Held over three action-packed days in the Saudi desert, the pioneering championship featured 16 elite off-road competitors across eight teams, each battling through three distinct race disciplines in cutting-edge Pioneer 25 machines powered by hydrogen fuel cells. Each team fielded one male and one female driver, both sharing driving duties equally — a format designed to promote balance and teamwork…
Swiss-Belhotel International, a globally recognised hospitality management group, showcased its expanding presence across Africa at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) 2025, held in Nairobi from 1 to 3 October. As one of the continent’s leading travel trade events, MKTE provides a key platform for connecting international and regional tourism partners. The 2025 edition once again reinforced MKTE’s reputation as a premier event for Africa’s tourism and hospitality sector, drawing representation from major destinations, hotel brands, tour operators, and investors. Swiss-Belhotel International participated with a dedicated stand supported by its Group Sales and Marketing Department, the EMEA Regional Sales Office,…
The Cultural Foundation, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), has inaugurated two new exhibitions that spotlight both established and emerging voices in the region’s creative landscape. Titled ‘Two Clouds in the Night Sky’ and ‘And After’, the shows will run from 9 October 2025 until 22 February 2026. ‘Two Clouds in the Night Sky’ is a milestone solo exhibition by pioneering Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim. A leading figure in the UAE’s contemporary art movement, Ibrahim is celebrated for his meditative and process-oriented practice deeply influenced by the natural surroundings of his…
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in collaboration with Zayed University (ZU), has announced the open call for participation in the International Symposium on Electronic/Emerging Art 2026 (ISEA2026). Scheduled from 10 to 19 April 2026 across various venues in Dubai, the event will bring together global leaders in art, science, and technology to envision the future of digital creativity. ISEA2026 supports the ambitions of Dubai’s Digital Arts Strategy, a core element of the Authority’s broader cultural roadmap aimed at empowering emerging talent, enhancing digital capabilities, and advancing education and innovation in the creative sector. The symposium also reflects Zayed…