Surge in demand for Dubai's hospitality sector; Let's do our bit to save UAE marine life; Gulf News Editors comment on the top stories on April 23

LET’S DO OUR BIT TO SAVE MARINE LIFE: Residents can help the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) keep a close eye of marine turtles who are taking to beaches for nesting this time of year. We can easily report any sightings of the marine creatures to the Abu Dhabi Government Call Centre on 800555. By alerting the official environmentalists, we can help them ensure the safety of the nesting turtles and help them gather data on their population and behaviour. [COMMENT BY: Faisal Masudi, Assistant Editor]

LUXURIOUS AND AFFORDABLE OPTIONS FOR DUBAI VISITORS: Dubai's hospitality sector is experiencing an exciting period of growth, with the addition of 15,000 new hotel rooms and the rise of more large-scale events. From the UAE hosting COP28 to expatriates and international visitors hosting Dh2 million weddings, there has been a surge in demand for accommodation and event venues in the city. To meet this demand, hotels are opening at a rapid pace, providing a range of luxurious and affordable options for visitors. Based on current projections, Dubai is expected to provide 76 per cent of the total supply of the 48,000 new rooms that will become available in the UAE by 2030. However, it is important for Dubai's hospitality sector to balance growth with sustainable practices and ensure that the industry operates in a responsible manner. This will not only benefit the environment and local communities but also contribute to the sector's long-term success. [COMMENT BY: Dhanusha Gokulan, Chief Reporter]

BOLLYWOOD SUPERSTAR SALMAN KHAN IS STILL REVIEW-PROOF: Indian actor Salman Khan’s latest Eid release ‘Kisi Ki Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’, an unapologetic ode to the actor’s studied starry histrionics, opened to scathing reviews this weekend, but that didn’t stop the film from seeing a rapid jump in footfalls. According to industry insiders, the film saw a “big jump” on day two indicating that his fans don’t take critics or reviews seriously. For them, watching their superhero in action is their biggest festive gift. Clearly, Salman and perhaps Shah Rukh Khan are the few men standing in Bollywood who can command a strong footfall despite churning out mediocre films with insipid storylines. While we are happy for the stars, we hope their fans also begin demanding more from their idols when it comes to their films. Blind idol worshipping is so last season. [COMMENT BY: Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor]

INJURIES ARE BECOMING A BANE IN MODERN DAY SPORT: Every sportsman dreams of making it big in the world of sport. For that they go through the hard grinds to reach the top. But just when they are at the peak of their prowess after realising their dreams, the rigours of the daily schedule starts taking a heavy toll on their bodies. The modern day schedule is so punishing that these injuries are not just limited to any particular sport and is spread across the spectrum. In the last few days some of the best in the business, Rafael Nadal, world No 1 Novak Djokovic and England’s Ben Stokes, arguably the best all-rounder in world cricket, are nursing injuries and have turned into mere spectators, watching the sport that is so dear to them. The focus should be more on injury management, but with a short lifespan on the sporting world and a huge rewards waiting either in terms of cash or honour, it will be a difficult choice for them to make. In the end they start playing with injuries, which have become a bane in modern day sport. [COMMENT BY: A.K.S. Satish, Sports Editor]