Saudi Arabia is to be home to the world’s longest-suspended skypool.
Set to open at Treyam, a luxury resort in Neom, the swimming pool will span a lagoon on the Gulf of Aqaba, connecting the north and south shorelines of the resort.
Lined by palm trees and sandy shorelines, the swimming pool will hover 36 metres above sea level and 450 metres in length, making it the world’s longest sky pool and 330 metres longer than the current record holder at Dubai's One&Only One Za'abeel.
When it opens, the pool at Neom's Treyam will join a handful of other record-breaking swimming pools around the world, including several in Dubai, from the largest landlocked pool to the highest 360-degree infinity pool on the planet.
Dip in below…
The world’s deepest pool: Deep Dive Dubai
Deep Dive Dubai launched in 2021 and has a depth of 60 metres, almost the same height as the towers of London Bridge. It’s designed as sunken city and a diving pool, and geared towards free-diving and scuba divers, but snorkellers are also welcome. With 14 million litres of freshwater, the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools, it has sunken motorbikes, arcade machines, pool tables and cars.
The longest suspended infinity pool in the world: One Za'abeel, Dubai
The One & Only One Za’abeel hotel set a record for Dubai's skyline when it scooped the Guinness World Record title for the Longest Cantilevered Building in the world, and it's also home to a record-breaking pool. Set on top of The Link – the cantilever suspended between the resort's two towers, the sparkling pool hovers around 100 metres above the city and over a busy six-lane highway. Part of Tapasake, a glam urban beach club, it's currently the world's longest infinity pool and stretches 120 metres end to end.
The world's highest 360° infinity pool: Aura Skypool, Dubai
Epic views are guaranteed at Aura Skypool Dubai, the world’s highest 360° infinity pool. Located on the 50th floor of The Palm Tower on Dubai’s man-made Palm Jumeirah, this sparkling swimming pool has views from every plane, with vistas of the city skyline and the Arabian Gulf and sunsets to envy the best in the world.
The largest man-made lagoon: Boulevard World, Riyadh
Size matters in Saudi Arabia where the world's largest man-made lagoon has been constructed. Stretching across 12.19 hectares, the vast pool of water is at Boulevard World in Riyadh, the kingdom's bustling capital. The permanent structure opened in November 2022 and was constructed by Sela, a company that specialises in experiences, events and destinations. The sprawling lagoon is part of Riyadh's Boulevard Word, a multi-zone theme park that is also home to the world's largest spherical theatre.
The world’s highest outdoor infinity pool in a building: Address Beach Resort, Dubai
Another title-holder in Dubai is the Address Beach Resort. The waterfront hotel entered the Guinness World Record book in 2021 when it opened the world’s highest outdoor infinity pool in a building. Located on level 77 of the hotel at a height of 93.90 metres above sea level, the infinity pool only allows access to hotel guests over the age of 21.
The most swimming pools in a resort: Lexis Hibiscus Port Dickson, Malaysia
When Atlantis, The Royal opened in Dubai, it boasted of its 90 swimming pools – an impressive number no doubt. But that achievement is dwarfed in comparison with the number of pools at the Lexis Hibiscus Post Dickson Hotel in Malaysia, which holds the world title of having the most swimming pools in a resort. The luxury getaway is an all villa escape with overwater accommodation and no less than 643 swimming pools.
The largest swimming pool landlocked by area: Fleishhacker Pool, San Francisco
While it’s been out of action for more than 50 years, the Fleishhacker Pool on Sloat Boulevard, near Great Highway in San Francisco still holds the record for the world’s largest swimming pool landlocked by area. Measuring 304.8 metres in length by 45.7 metres wide, the pool opened in 1925 and is 4.26 metres deep, meaning it could hold 6,000,000 US gallons of seawater. At its capacity, it could also accommodate 10,000 swimmers, but has been abandoned since 1971.
Highest outdoor overflow pool in a building: SLS Dubai
SLS Dubai Hotel is officially home to the world's highest outdoor overflow pool in a building, according to Guinness World Records. Located on the 75th floor of the building, the hotel boasts not one, but two outdoor overflow pools at a height of 325 meters, just higher than the tip of the Burj Al Arab hotel a little further down the road. The title was confirmed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in March 2022, a month before the luxury hotel opened to the public.
World’s largest wave pool: Siam Park City, Bangkok
Thailand’s bustling capital holds the title for the world’s largest wave pool according to the World Waterpark Association. Located at Siam Park City, a sprawling water park and amusement park on the outskirts of Bangkok. The wave pool itself is massive, covering an area of 13,600 square metres. It has held the title of being the world's largest wave pool since 2009.
The world's first 'floating' swimming pool: London Sky Pool
While it’s not an official world record, the Sky Pool in London is the world’s first “floating” swimming pool. Dangling between two high-rise buildings in the swanky Embassy Gardens residential development in Nine Elms near Battersea Power Station, the crystal-clear, 25 metre-long pool seems to hover in the air about 35 metres above street level. Unfortunately for Londoners hoping to nab a dip, it's only for residents and their guests.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
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Engine: 1.2L inline four-cylinder
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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Engine: 3.7-litre V6
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Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Winners
Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)
Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)
Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)
Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)
Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)
Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)
Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)
Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
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The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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