Morning Drive

In an exclusive interview with Tim Elliott, David Mackenzie, Managing Director of Mackenzie Jones Middle East, discusses why regional employers are increasingly prioritizing practical skills, industry certifications, and adaptability over traditional university degrees—and how real-world experience is fast becoming the defining metric for career advancement.

Sri Lanka is targeting 3 million international tourist arrivals over the next 12 months, with the UAE and wider GCC playing a key role in that growth strategy. With eight daily direct flights from the UAE and eight daily connections across the wider GCC, the country is looking to attract more visitors while expanding into luxury, wellness, MICE, weddings and cruise tourism. Joining Tim Elliott are Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Dubai, Hon. Alexi Gunasekera, and Mr. Chamila Jayarathna, Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, to discuss the strategy and the opportunities for Gulf travellers and businesses.

Cyber threats are evolving fast, and traditional security monitoring may no longer be enough. At GISEC Global 2026, Obrela is showcasing how Agentic AI, security analytics and continuous monitoring can help businesses move from reacting to attacks to predicting and preventing them. Joining Tim Elliott is Stephen Marriott, Cybersecurity Expert at Obrela.

Tim Elliott interviews Mario Volpi, Senior Manager at EVA Real Estate, examining August’s property figures. Despite the market experiencing its first slight dip in over five years, high demand for luxury villas, major Abu Dhabi launches, and vibrant off-plan interest signal continued long-term stability across the sector.

Tim Elliott sits down with Luxe Vista Properties CEO Ajay Menon to weigh two high-stakes Dubai real estate strategies. They analyze whether investors deploying AED 5 million should target high-scarcity luxury in DIFC Za'abeel District or back the long-term growth of Expo City.

The Maldives is under the spotlight at Arabian Travel Market, from Gulf travel demand and aviation connectivity to investment and new tourism policies. Mohamed Khaleel joins Tim Elliott after recently stepping down as Tourism Advisor to the President of the Maldives, citing concerns over the impact of new foreign-currency requirements on the tourism sector. He is also CEO of Manta Air and Managing Director of Pulse Hotels & Resorts, giving him a front-row view of where Maldivian tourism is heading.

UAE businesses are facing another important tax deadline, with September 30 approaching for Corporate Tax filings. But experts say filing on time is only part of the job. From Small Business Relief and free-zone rules to deductions, transfer pricing and record-keeping, businesses need to make sure their tax position can stand up to scrutiny. Joining Tim Elliott to explain everything we need to know is Sameer Ansari, Senior Client Accountant at Sovereign PPG.

The Middle East’s hotel sector could be entering a major shift. Franchising is gaining ground as hotel owners look for more control and lower costs, while hotel groups seek faster, capital-light expansion. With Arabian Travel Market putting the spotlight on the region’s next phase of tourism growth, we look at whether franchising could reshape how hotels are developed across the Middle East.Joining Tim Elliott is Ron Pohl; President of International Operations, BWH Hotels & President of WorldHotels, to discuss where the hotel market is heading and what this shift means for owners and developers.

Today marks the first day of the Arabian Travel Market 2026, and Jamaica is making a major push to attract travelers from the GCC. Despite the region's immense potential, the Gulf currently sends only about 1,500 visitors annually, trailing far behind traditional markets like the UK.Why are Gulf travelers looking elsewhere, and can better air links and visa reforms change that? Jamaica's Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, joins Tim Elliott to discuss tourism growth, untapped markets, and resilience lessons learned from putting recovery systems to the test.

From routine check-ups and vaccinations to unexpected emergencies, pet care can quickly become expensive in the UAE. And as more people treat their pets like family, demand is growing for veterinary care that is more transparent, preventative and easier to manage. Paws Co is entering the market with plans to open 30 clinics across the UAE by 2030, with its first two locations opening this December. Joining Tim Elliott on Morning Drive is Matt Butterworth, Co-Founder of Paws & Co. How expensive is pet care in the UAE today, and what are the biggest costs pet parents should be prepared for?