Latest news with #teamLab
Arabian Business
3 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Saadiyat Island charts a new path for Abu Dhabi through beaches, museums, and momentum
As global travel trends shift toward more meaningful, experience-led destinations, Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi is emerging as a standout. The first half of 2025 saw Saadiyat Island achieve record tourism growth and attract a more global visitor base, reinforcing its position as one of the most strategically developed cultural and lifestyle hubs in the region. Visitor numbers across Saadiyat's hotels and cultural institutions rose by 10 per cent year-on-year, with a 74 per cent average hotel occupancy rate recorded at the close of 2024. This was accompanied by a 14 per cent increase in average daily rates, compared to the previous year, signaling both rising demand and the island's evolving value in the high-end travel segment. International visitation is also on an upward trajectory, with notable growth from the UK (11 per cent), India (30 per cent), and China (58 per cent)—an indicator of Abu Dhabi's widening global appeal. A major contributor to this momentum is the early 2025 opening of teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, an immersive art space blending light, sound, and movement in a dynamic, interactive environment. It's a space where light, sound, movement and presence converge, creating a deeply personal experience for every guest. The launch is a cultural milestone and a strong statement of Abu Dhabi's dedication to innovation, education, and global artistic dialogue. Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District, the launch adds to an already impressive lineup that includes Louvre Abu Dhabi, Manarat Al Saadiyat, and the Abrahamic Family House. Over the next few years, institutions like Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum, and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi are set to transform the district into a global centre of culture, dialogue, and education. Saadiyat Island 's unique cluster of cultural landmarks makes it a global hub for creativity and ideas, with appeal beyond just the arts. The island's hospitality offering has also played a critical role in shaping its reputation. A collection of beachfront resorts managed by top-tier global hotel brands offers seamless access to both the island's coastline and cultural core. The destination has earned over 20 international awards in 2024 alone, including its 13th consecutive recognition as the 'Middle East's Leading Beach Destination' by the World Travel Awards. What sets Saadiyat Island apart, however, is the balance it strikes between development and conservation. Sustainability is integrated into its masterplan, with initiatives focused on marine life protection, habitat preservation, and low-impact tourism. From nesting sites for native species such as hawksbill turtles and preserving dolphins to eco-aware resort operations, the island exemplifies responsible destination stewardship. Its appeal is further enhanced by a well-curated year-round events calendar. Flagship programming like Saadiyat Nights has brought global music icons such as Michael Bublé, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, and Lionel Richie to the island. Events such as the Abu Dhabi Wedding Show and Modest Fashion Week continue to broaden its cultural relevance across markets and demographics. With its proximity to Zayed International Airport and with its strategic position of a five-hour flight radius from major international cities, Saadiyat Island is well-positioned to capture the rising demand for culturally driven travel. It offers more than beaches and luxury—it delivers substance, storytelling, and a sense of place. In an increasingly competitive tourism landscape, Saadiyat Island is not just following trends, it's setting them. As Abu Dhabi builds for the future, the island stands as a model for what destination development can achieve when culture, community, and commerce work in sync and is built into the experience. The content is supplied by Arabian Business Brand View Partners.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Time Out
Osaka named one of the world's most liveable cities in 2025
While Tokyo remains one of Japan's hottest destinations – not least thanks to its top-tier airports and affordability – another city is gaining attention for its exceptional liveability. This year, Osaka was ranked as the seventh most livable city in the world according to the Economist 's annual Global Liveability Index, which examines a total of 173 cities worldwide. While Tokyo has made this ranking in the past, Osaka is the only city in Asia to crack the top ten this year. Osaka is tied for seventh place with Auckland, New Zealand, just behind Copenhagen (No 1), Vienna (No 2), Zurich (No 3), Melbourne (No 4), Geneva (No 5) and Sydney (No 6). Rounding out the top ten are Adelaide and Vancouver. This year's report evaluated over 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across five main categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Osaka earned a score of 96 on the global index, compared to 98 for top-ranked Copenhagen. The Kansai city received full marks for stability, healthcare, and education. It scored 86.8 for culture and environment, and 96.4 for infrastructure. Here's a full look at the top ten cities and their total index score: 1. Copenhagen, Denmark (98.0) 2. Vienna, Austria (97.1) 2. Zurich, Switzerland (97.1) 4. Melbourne, Australia (97.0) 5. Geneva, Switzerland (96.8) 6. Sydney, Australia (96.6) 7. Osaka, Japan (96.0) 7. Auckland, New Zealand (96.0) 9. Adelaide, Australia (95.9) 10. Vancouver, Canada (95.8) With its high scores across the board, Osaka continues to prove itself not just as a vibrant travel destination, but as one of the world's best places to live in. And with the World Expo taking place in the city until October this year, there's never been a better time to visit. For more information on the Global Liveability Index, head to the website. How to purchase tickets for the 2025 Osaka Expo teamLab is opening a permanent immersive art museum in Kyoto
Web Release
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Viu premieres Arabic Viu Original reality special, The Big Bang Birthday
Viu, PCCW's leading pan regional OTT video-streaming platform, unveils its latest Arabic reality Viu Original, The Big Bang Birthday. Following the success of last year's We Wed (???? ?????), the special is set to premiere on 23 June exclusively on Viu. The show offers viewers a candid, culturally resonant portrait of friendship, self-expression and contemporary Arab identity in the UAE capital. It tracks four influential content creators as they plan a surprise birthday celebration for Hadeel Marei, an Egyptian digital creator known for her outspoken humour and expressive style which has helped her connect with audiences across the Arab world, including over two million Instagram followers. Hadeel's friends include Amy Roko, a Saudi content creator known for her anonymity and social commentary; Dana Halabi, a Syrian Dubai based lifestyle influencer whose warm presence and interpersonal insight ground the group dynamic; Jara, Saudi Arabia's first female rapper, navigating the intersection of music and representation; and Yussra Youssif, a Sudanese beauty and fashion creator celebrated for her striking style. The group reveals their authentic selves throughout the party-planning process, as what begins as a casual weekend transforms into a rich exploration of connections, set against Abu Dhabi's vibrant urban landscape. Filmed across key locations including Ferrari World, teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, the Abu Dhabi Souk and Mangrove National Park, the programme weaves together moments of humour, tension and reflection. The narrative reaches its emotional peak when Hadeel receives her gift – an ultimate surprise that she did not see coming. 'The Big Bang Birthday exemplifies Viu's commitment to Arabic original productions and locally rooted storytelling that bridges entertainment and cultural insight,' said Samer Majzoub, General Manager of Viu MENA. 'The authentic emotion and relatable production style of this female-led production connect us to the cultural heartbeat of Saudi Arabia, UAE and the rest of the Arab region.' Directed by Farah Alameh, a Lebanese independent filmmaker and lecturer at Lebanese University, the special combines a clear visual identity with narrative sensitivity. Her approach balances cinematic polish with documentary realism, allowing the cast's personalities and relationships to unfold with authenticity.
Time Out
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This river cruise in Osaka comes with sunset city views and unlimited drinks
Osaka is famous for many things: its amazing street food, its family-friendly amusement parks, and this year, as the host of the World Expo. But few people realise that Osaka is also a city of water. Nestled by the bay and threaded with rivers and canals, the city's waterways are a lesser-known attraction. This summer, you can discover this quieter, more romantic side of Osaka with a sunset cruise aboard the Himawari. The Himawari is an elegant houseboat, inspired by the steamships that plied Osaka's rivers during the Meiji era (1868–1912). It features a classic wooden interior, has an open deck to enjoy the breeze and city views, and is decorated with lanterns to create a festive, old-timey atmosphere. Available only on Fridays and Saturdays from August 1 to September 13, the Himawari Summer Beer Cruise offers a leisurely 90-minute journey along one of the city's main rivers. You'll watch the cityscape shift from golden to sparkling as buildings light up around you. Along the way, you'll also catch Osaka's newest attraction – the Osaka River Fantasy, a riverside water and light show with projection mapping. On board, you get to enjoy all this with a cold one in hand, as the cruise includes unlimited drinks ranging from draft beer, wine and highballs to non-alcoholic options. Your drink is paired with an 'Evening Refreshment Petit Hors d'Oeuvres Set', specially prepared for the cruise by Le Clos de Mariage, a well-regarded French restaurant in Temmabashi. Adding to the ambience are live performances by local musicians. The cruise runs from 6.20pm to 7.50pm, departing from Hachikenyahama Pier, just outside the west exit of Temmabashi Station (Keihan Line). Tickets are priced at ¥8,000 for adults, ¥7,250 for junior high and high school students, and ¥5,250 for elementary school students. Bookings must be made online at least three days in advance. For more information or reservations, visit the cruise website. teamLab is opening a permanent immersive art museum in Kyoto
Business Insider
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
I thought this Tokyo attraction would be a major tourist trap. It ended up being a highlight of my first trip to Japan.
TeamLab Planets is one of the most popular attractions in Tokyo. TeamLab Planets quickly made a name for itself after opening its doors in 2018. It currently holds the Guinness World Record for the most-visited museum dedicated to a single group or artist, bringing in more than 2.5 million visitors from April 2023 to March 2024. A popular second location in Tokyo, known as teamLab Borderless, focuses on digital art. Both museums were launched by teamLab, an international art collective that includes artists, animators, engineers, mathematicians, and architects among its specialists. Together, they work to "explore the relationship between the self and the world," according to the museum's website, although global brand director Takashi Kudo said they have an even bigger goal. "If these exhibitions cannot reach an emotional height, then we have failed," he told The New York Times last year. "We have to reach people's hearts." Even during the peak season in March, I was able to easily book tickets. TeamLab Planets offers time slots from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Just about every travel blog recommends visiting the museum when it opens to beat crowds (and have fewer people in your Instagram shots), which means every morning slot was sold out when I tried to book tickets about a week in advance. I figured the nighttime slots might be less crowded, so I booked two tickets for 7:30 p.m. The total was 8,800 yen, or about $61. Before visiting, we found some helpful tips online for what to wear. Both the travel blogs and our friends' Google Docs noted that part of the museum's experience involves walking through water. We made sure to wear shoes that could quickly slip off and pants that could easily roll up. Since the floors are mirrored, a number of blogs recommended skipping skirts or short dresses. Shorts are also available to rent for free if you need them. We arrived 30 minutes before our time slot began, and found a line already curving around the building. We quickly made it past the gates of the 10,000-square-foot warehouse, where we were welcomed with a towering sculpture called "Universe of Fire Particles Haunting the Sky and Earth." The lit-up piece, glowing with red and yellow flames, changes as people stand near it. More art can be found at Vegan Ramen UZU, the museum's ramen shop. I wish I hadn't grabbed dinner beforehand because a friend later told me this was one of her favorite ramen experiences in all of Tokyo! After watching a quick introductory video, our experience at teamLab Planets began. The museum is divided into three sections: Water, Athletics Forest, and Garden. The forest section, which opened in January, had added 20 new exhibits to the original nine. We left our bags and shoes in the free lockers, which came with keys we could wear as bracelets. Then, we walked up a ramp as we headed into the water exhibit, our feet softly splashing beneath us. The first major exhibit was the famous "Infinite Crystal Universe." After walking through nearly pitch-black spaces, the world opens to a dazzling room filled with hundreds of shimmering LED lights. They seemed to go on forever, a trick of the eye achieved by the mirrored floor. Maybe it's because I'm partial to sparkle eyeshadow and the exhibit reminded me of the bottom of my makeup bag, but how could you not love pretty lights? I was entranced. As with all the exhibits at teamLab Planets, the lights are affected by the presence of those around them. Attendees who download the teamLab Planets app can even choose which colors light up. It allows the piece to evolve constantly, ensuring it's never the same. Next up was one of my favorite exhibits, the glowing koi pond. We walked into the dark room as a rainbow of digital koi fish swam in the warm water around us. Each time a koi fish collided with our leg, it transformed into a lovely flower. According to the museum's website, these flowers change depending on what season you visit the exhibit. Then, we walked into a room filled with ginormous balloons. My boyfriend and I giggled like kids as we wandered through the massive spheres, which changed color whenever we touched them. The room glowed bright pink, blue, and green as we bounced and pushed the spheres around us. A room called "Floating in the Falling Universe of Flowers" provided a moment of serenity. We joined a group of people lying on the ground to silently watch the digital flowers surrounding us. The exhibit displays different flowers in their full circle of life as they grow, bloom, and die. The peaceful moment was a nice interlude before we walked into the much more active "Athletics Forest" section. We put our shoes back on and headed to the "Athletics Forest." The "Athletics Forest" is a neon playground. The colorful and interactive digital exhibit invited us to climb up a waterfall, swing through a flock of birds, and slide into a fruit field. It was around this time that my phone battery died, and it couldn't have come at a more perfect moment, as I fully immersed myself. As I bounced on the rotating spheres and balanced on stepping stones, I felt transported back to the games my friends and I used to make up on the playground, when the only available entertainment was our imagination and some monkey bars. "Graffiti Nature" was another favorite exhibit. My boyfriend and I were happy to stumble on a table full of people coloring pictures of flowers, butterflies, snakes, and lizards. A full day of sightseeing was quickly catching up to us, and we needed a sedentary activity. After we finished coloring, a teamLab staff member took our drawings and put them through a special printer. Suddenly, our illustrations were projected across the entire room. My boyfriend's snake slithered by our feet as my flower multiplied on the walls. It was a total surprise and a moment of pure delight. Last but not least was the famous floating flower garden. TeamLab Planets' flower garden consists of more than 13,000 live orchids, which float above you as you walk into the room. As with "Infinite Crystal Universe," the flowers seem to surround you, thanks to the mirrored floors. The orchids can sense movement and shift up or down as you walk through them, even sliding right up to your face. When you look at a flower closely, it's meant to stare right back. It's a gorgeous and awe-inspiring sight, made possible because the orchids grow by absorbing water from the air. And yes, it smells incredible. After admiring a garden of glowing eggs, our night at teamLab Planets came to an end. When I first heard about teamLab Planets, I figured it would be similar to the Ice Cream Museum or the viral "Van Gogh experience" — quick photo ops purely designed for Instagram. But my boyfriend and I had such a blast that we wished we had come earlier to spend more time at each exhibit. The museum is so fun and playful that it seems purposely designed to heal your inner child. I had more fun after my phone died and could completely immerse myself in the experience. If teamLab Planets is a tourist trap, I'd happily get captured again.
