Public alert for new scam tactics, UAE hotels thrive amidst summer, and more, Gulf News Editors comment on August 14 trending news

BEWARE OF CON ARTISTS ONLINE: The public is advised to exercise extra caution when facing new methods con artists use to make calls, send messages, and post links to fraudulent websites that look to be run by trustworthy companies or the government. The Abu Dhabi Police Department has also issued a warning regarding fake sites that pose as well-known restaurants and companies, solicit donations by advertising "special offers," and then defraud their victims of their money once they have successfully used their credit cards. When in doubt, or confronted with such a scam, it is advisable to refrain from responding to fake electronic ads, especially those that demand payment for "shipping and insurance" from abroad. The best course of action: follow the instructions of the authorities and never divulge any sensitive information, including one-time passwords for online banking services, ATM personal identity numbers, and the security number (CCV) on credit cards. Most importantly, never send money to accounts in banks that were simply intended to be used for theft and fraud, cooperate with authorities and report fraudsters immediately. (By Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor)

UAE HOTELS THRIVE AMIDST SUMMER: UAE hotels defy summer slowdown expectations, recording impressive occupancy rates of 80-85 per cent. Favourable hotel rates have drawn visitors as well. The growing influx of tourists from emerging markets like Brazil and the continued demand for staycations have contributed to the remarkable 20 per cent increase in occupancy from the previous year. The 'bleisure' trend and initiatives like Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) and attractive summer deals have also fueled bookings. The strong performance is reflected in soaring revenue gains, with a 20 per cent growth in average daily rates and a 24 per cent surge in revenue per available room (RevPAR) compared to 2019. The unexpected surge could also be attributed to cancellations due to uncertain European weather, diverting travellers to Dubai and the UAE. And the coming months are expected to have exceptional occupancy levels, possibly exceeding 90 per cent, thanks to the Dubai Air Show and COP28. (By Dhanusha Gokulan, Chief Reporter)

NOW, NEYMAR HEADS TO SAUDI ARABIA: Nothing has caught the imagination of football lovers as much as transfer stories with Saudi Arabia taking the centrestage this year. The Kingdom which is set to change the football landscape with some big signings is now all set to rope in Neymar. According to a report, the PSG star is almost close to joining Al Hilal on a two-year contract for a whopping €160 million. After signing him from Barcelona for a record transfer of €222m in 2017, PSG has already agreed to sell him to the Saudi Pro League side. So get set to watch Neymar alongside Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves and former Barcelona winger Malcolm at the Riyadh-based club. (By Jai Prasad V Rai, Assistant Editor)

‘BARBIE’ AND ‘OPPENHEIMER’ REVIVE HOLLYWOOD BOX-OFFICE BUSINESS: Director Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster ‘Barbie’ continues to dominate the US box-office and beyond and has secured the top spot for the fourth consecutive week, collecting over $1billion worldwide. It’s a historic achievement for a female director, but if you look at the bigger picture, the candy-coated confection of a film has revived Hollywood theatrical scene. What’s even more commendable is that Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’, a starkly different feature from ‘Barbie’ had an explosive box-office haul too. According to AP, the movie collected over $18.8 million making it a bombastic summer for Hollywood. This is what we call a strong post-Pandemic comeback, and we are all cheering for Hollywood. (By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Entertainment Editor)