Long before solo travel became a social media trend, some travellers already knew the truth, the most transformative journeys begin within. At Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, these travellers aren’t just travelling solo; they are claiming entire islands for solitude, sanctuary, and a rare kind of freedom.

Set on five secluded acres in the heart of a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Voavah offers more than just privacy, it offers presence. Here, with no neighbours in sight and a dedicated 28-member team, guests find themselves met with quiet, thoughtful care, shaped entirely by their own pace and preferences.

For Those Who Seek More Than Escape

 At Voavah, solo travel is reframed as the luxury of space, stillness, and sovereignty. This is not about withdrawing from the world, but reconnecting with it—through meaningful experiences, personalised wellbeing rituals, and the simple act of being.

An Entire Island, Reserved

 With seven bedrooms across two villas and a three-storey Beach House, the island accommodates without intrusion, allowing complete freedom and comfort.

Support, When Wanted

 From butlers and chefs to marine biologists and spa therapists, every staff interaction is led by the guest’s wishes—offering quiet companionship, engaging conversation, or total privacy.

Wellbeing as a Way of Life

 At the Ocean of Consciousness Spa, customised pathways include sound healing, Ayurvedic therapies, and sunrise yoga sessions—each designed to renew mind, body, and spirit.

A Yacht to Call One’s Own

The island’s 19-metre Voavah Summer yacht is at the guest’s disposal for manta snorkelling, ocean journalling, or moonlit sails across Maldivian waters.

Connection, on Your Terms

 Whether restoring coral reefs with the marine team, sharing stories with the chef beneath starlit skies, or simply switching off from the outside world, Voavah offers connection in the way that feels most authentic to each guest.

At Voavah, solo travel becomes a return to the self, an opportunity to move with intention, to live with presence, and to experience the Maldives on one’s own terms. For those ready to begin, the island awaits.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) is preparing for one of the busiest travel periods of the year as families return from summer holidays and students travel for the new academic year. Between 13 and 25 August 2025, DXB is expected to handle over 3.6 million passengers, with daily averages around 280,000. Passenger numbers are forecast to peak on Friday, 15 August, with traffic exceeding 290,000.

This seasonal surge follows a strong first half of 2025 for Dubai’s tourism and aviation sectors. The city welcomed 9.88 million international overnight visitors, a 6% year-on-year increase, while DXB recorded over 46 million passengers, reaffirming its position as the world’s busiest international airport.

To ensure a smooth experience, Dubai Airports is coordinating with its oneDXB community including airlines, control authorities, and commercial and service partners to manage crowd flow, expedite passenger processing, and enhance guest services.

Passengers are encouraged to use Smart Gates for passport control if traveling with children aged 12 and above and to keep passports, boarding passes, and visas ready for inspection. DXB offers a variety of amenities, including lounges, dining outlets, retail stores, and duty-free shopping, as well as direct access to the Dubai Metro from Terminals 1 and 3. Alternative transport options such as Uber, Careem, RTA taxis, and car rentals are also available.

Enhanced services are available for People of Determination, including marked accessibility routes, discreet assistance for guests wearing Sunflower Lanyards, and a dedicated Assisted Travel Lounge in Terminal 2.

With coordinated efforts across stakeholders, DXB aims to maintain high service quality and ensure passengers enjoy a seamless start or end to their journeys during this busy travel period.

 Abu Dhabi Airports has reported a 13.1 per cent increase in passenger traffic for the first half of 2025, welcoming 15.8 million travellers across its five-airport network. This growth marks the 17th consecutive quarter of double-digit passenger traffic expansion, reflecting the airport group’s pivotal role in economic growth and global connectivity.

Zayed International Airport (AUH) led the surge, handling 15.5 million passengers, up 13.2 per cent year-on-year. Total aircraft movements across the network reached 133,533, a 9.2 per cent increase, with AUH registering 93,858 movements, up 11.4 per cent.

Route expansion has been central to the growth strategy, with 16 new destinations added in H1 2025. Highlights include China Eastern Airlines’ Shanghai service, Air Seychelles’ six weekly flights, Fly Cham’s Damascus route, and IndiGo’s new connections from Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Visakhapatnam, strengthening AUH as the airline’s most connected UAE hub.

Cargo volumes also rose 4.8 per cent, reaching 344,795 tonnes, supported by a joint venture with JD Property for a 70,000 sqm advanced logistics facility, catering to growing east-west e-commerce demand.

Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “The first six months posed operational challenges, yet our results demonstrate the resilience of our network and collaborative partnerships. Delivering positive growth for 17 consecutive quarters reflects our operational agility and commitment to an exceptional aviation experience.”

Other milestones included:

• Completion of rehabilitation works at Sir Bani Yas Airport
  

• AUH receiving the 3 Pearl Estidama rating for construction
  

• Recognition as Best Airport at Arrivals Globally at the ACI ASQ Awards for the third consecutive year
  

• Collaboration with Bombardier at Al Bateen Executive Airport for a dedicated MRO facility
  

• Partnership with TAQA Distribution to explore next-generation utility technologies across airports
  

With sustained passenger growth, strategic infrastructure projects, and global partnerships, Abu Dhabi Airports continues to strengthen its position as a leading aviation hub, supporting the UAE’s broader economic diversification agenda.