Latest news with #SCAD
Gulf Business
13-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Abu Dhabi hotel revenues hit Dhs611m in March with rising tourist demand
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector recorded revenues of Dhs611m ($166.3m) in March 2025, underlining strong momentum in the emirate's tourism industry, according to preliminary data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in coordination with the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD). The revenue comprised Dhs345m from room bookings, Dhs228m from food and beverage services, and Dhs38m from other sources. Roughly 417,000 hotel guests stayed in the emirate during March, reflecting Abu Dhabi's growing appeal as a global travel destination. Officials attribute the increase to the emirate's diverse accommodation portfolio and high-quality hospitality standards. Read: Abu Dhabi hosted visitors at 171 hotels Abu Dhabi hosted visitors across 171 hotel establishments with a combined 34,341 rooms. The properties registered more than 1.2 million guest nights and achieved an average occupancy rate of 69 per cent. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) reached Dhs486. Non-Arab Asian nationals were the largest group of international visitors, totalling 152,000 guests. Europeans followed with 123,000 guests, while UAE nationals accounted for 58,000 hotel stays. Five-star hotels received the largest share of guests, accommodating 205,000 visitors in March. Of these, European travellers made up the largest segment, with 78,000 guests. Four-star hotels welcomed 119,000 guests, followed by 54,000 in three-star and below hotels. Serviced apartments recorded 38,000 guests. The strong performance supports
Zawya
12-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi hotels record $166.37mln in revenue in March 2025
Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector continues to show robust growth, with hotel establishments across the emirate generating revenues of AED611 million in March 2025, according to preliminary data released by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), in coordination with the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD). The total revenue breakdown comprises AED345 million from room bookings, AED228 million from food and beverage services, and AED38 million from other sources. The emirate welcomed approximately 417,000 hotel guests during March, highlighting Abu Dhabi's growing appeal as a global tourist destination. The surge is attributed to the emirate's diverse accommodation offerings and high-quality hospitality services. A total of 171 hotel establishments, comprising 34,341 rooms, operated across Abu Dhabi in March. These properties recorded over 1.2 million guest nights, achieving an average occupancy rate of 69%. The average revenue per available room (RevPAR) stood at AED486. Non-Arab Asian nationals topped the list of international visitors, accounting for 152,000 hotel guests. European travellers followed with 123,000 guests, while UAE nationals accounted for 58,000 stays. These figures underline Abu Dhabi's sustained tourism growth and its strengthening position as a preferred destination for a wide range of global markets. Five-star hotels hosted the highest number of guests, totalling 205,000 in March. European visitors made up the largest segment within this category, with 78,000 guests. Four-star hotels received 119,000 guests, followed by three-star and below hotels with 54,000 guests. Additionally, serviced apartments accommodated 38,000 visitors. The strong performance aligns with Abu Dhabi's Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to attract 39.3 million visitors annually, generate 178,000 new jobs in the tourism sector, expand hotel capacity to 50,000 rooms, and increase the sector's contribution to the emirate's GDP to AED90 billion by the end of the decade.
Fast Company
10-06-2025
- Science
- Fast Company
The light in this lamp is powered by dirt
Healthy soil is alive. It's full of insects, fungi, and microbes that break down dead organic matter and convert it into nutrients. Microbes are the most abundant: One teaspoon of soil contains more microbes than there are people on Earth. As all these organisms do their work of decomposition and nutrient cycling, they release energy. Milú Brunell's Soli lamp turns that energy into light. The recent Savannah College of Art and Design grad designed the outdoor lamp to use microbial fuel cells, a type of battery that converts the chemical energy released by microorganisms (like those in soil or wastewater) into electricity. When Brunell, an industrial designer with a passion for sustainability, embarked on her senior project at SCAD, she wanted to design lighting with more than just function in mind. She says she was guided by the question, How can we create things that help us be in tune with our environment? Microbial fuel cells aren't totally new, but they are still a nascent technology. Researchers have said they could be an alternative to fossil fuels, powering everything from biosensors to wastewater treatment and desalination plants. In research labs, the cells have powered small fans, LEDs, and calculators, and scientists have also conducted wastewater treatment pilots. But scaling up this electricity source is still a challenge because it produces relatively low power and isn't yet cost competitive. Brunell focused on designing lighting because she loves the way it can shift emotions or create ambience. Though mostly a conceptual project, the Soli lamp is now a functional prototype, powered by a microbial fuel cell Brunell built herself using the soil from her own garden. She sees Soli working one day for streetlights or in public parks, too. 'Soli is just the beginning of creating awareness, and asking ourselves, If we nurture soil and we give back, how can we explore this relationship further?' she says. 'Instead of just exploiting Earth, how can we collaborate with it, respect it, and coexist with it?' The final deadline for Fast Company's Next Big Things in Tech Awards is Friday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Washington Post
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
International students scared to leave U.S., return to school after travel ban
As President Donald Trump signaled plans for a new travel ban after taking office, the family of a 19-year-old Venezuelan student at the Savannah College of Art and Design decided she shouldn't go home for the summer. She wasn't sure she'd be let back in the United States if she left.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Award-winning musician and composer Jon Batiste delivers commencement address and performed at SCAD
ATLANTA and SAVANNAH, Ga., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) was delighted to welcome award-winning artist, musician, and composer Jon Batiste at the university's commencement ceremonies in Savannah and Atlanta for the largest graduating class in SCAD history. The ceremonies were held at the Savannah Convention Center on Friday, May 30 in Savannah, and Saturday, May 31, at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta. Batiste spoke to more than 4,200 graduates, their families, and honored guests during the two-day celebration. "This moment right here is not only the beginning of you defining and shaping who you are in the world and what you will become and what you will leave as your legacy, but it's also a moment where you have this opportunity to really take it in and be at peace with the unexpected that will come in the dark times as well as the things that you will do to exceed expectations and become the first and only. I'm so excited to be here to share this moment with you. So thank you for being who you are and remember that that's all you ever need to be," he said. SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace conferred an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree on Batiste, who is considered a force of nature and a powerhouse of creativity and connection. An Academy Award and seven-time Grammy Award winning artist, he blends music, storytelling, and activism to inspire and unite. "It's a gift to connect with and inspire the next generation of creative artists from this globally renowned university," said Batiste. The 2025 graduates represent more than 40 top-ranked programs, including interactive design and game development, interior design, film and television, fashion, graphic design, and design management. Since its founding in 1978, the university's mission has been to prepare talented students for creative professions. Today, SCAD's success rate is unmatched. According to a 2024 study, 99% of recent SCAD graduates reported being employed, pursuing further education, or both within 12 months of graduation. SCAD alumni have found fulfilling careers at Adobe, BMW, Delta Air Lines, Disney, Google, Hasbro, Microsoft, NASA, Ralph Lauren, and more. "Our happy hive hums with joy this spring as more than 4,200 SCAD Bees — a record — have danced across the commencement stage and will fly off to rewarding careers around the world," President Wallace said. "What I so deeply cherish about SCAD's commencement is the love you feel, see, and hear, everywhere. From grandparents and parents, to students and siblings, cheers, tears, whoops, hugs, and high-fives celebrate phenomenal creativity, courage, and camaraderie. The world is yours, Bees!" President Wallace also presented an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Savannah to Meta Vice President of Design Joshua To and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Atlanta to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. To learn more about SCAD, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Savannah College of Art and Design
