Penguin-spotting in Antarctica is one of the highlights of an expedition cruise to the world's highest, driest and coldest continent.
Home to several species of the flightless birds, with half of the world's 18 species of penguin found on Antarctic coasts and sub-Antarctic islands, the region is gaining in popularity as travellers seek seeing animals in the wild.
Luxury cruise operator Panache Cruises says it has seen a boom in bookings for penguin spotting tours, a trend that it has called "the Sir David Attenborough effect".
“The popularity of David Attenborough’s TV programmes has brought the wonders of penguins to our living rooms and now thousands of us want to see them in their natural habitats," said James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises.
"Embarking on an expedition cruise to Antarctica is a great way for wildlife-lovers to see the nature in all its glory while enjoying a hassle-free organised tour."
Expedition cruising is one way that nature lovers can access some of the world's remotest areas, and Panache's small ships are designed to have minimal impact on the delicate environment in which they operate. For travellers keen to spot a penguin in the wild, the company has revealed the seven best places to catch a glimpse of the flightless birds.
1. Antarctic Peninsula
Stretching out more than 1,500km towards the tip of South America, the Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the continent. It's also one of the most popular and accessible destinations in the region, where travellers will find the greatest variety of wildlife species and the most breathtaking scenery. One of The Peninsula's main attractions is its abundance of penguins, seals and seabirds. It's also the warmest region of the continent, so its where many research stations set up base.
2. Antarctic Sound
Only 15kms wide at its narrowest part, the Antarctic Sound is a channel at the north-eastern end of the Antarctic Peninsula. Also known as Iceberg Alley, it connects the Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea and is one of the best places in the region to see Adelie penguins as more than 135,000 breeding pairs live on Hope Bay. The Sound is also a good place to spot large Emperor penguins, seals and whales.
3. Penguin Island
Given its name, it's no surprise this tiny isle is one of the best spots for penguin enthusiasts. Named during an 1820 British expedition because of the vast numbers of penguins that could be seen along its shoreline from the ship as it passed by, the 2km long island is also called Georges Island and is one of the smallest of Antarctic's South Shetland Islands.
It's a nesting and breeding place for Adelie penguins and the often gregarious chinstrap penguins. The animals are protected by a 100-person limit on the shore and visitors are not allowed to roam freely, but guided excursions are offered, including to the 170 metre cone of Deacon Peak, an inactive volcano.
4. Elephant Island
Elephant Island gets its name from the large elephant seals that live there, but it's also home to colonies of gGentoo penguins and nesting chinstrap penguins. Entirely remote, ice-covered and mountainous, the island is one of the most desolate locations in the world, lying 250 kms off the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. This place is a must-go for polar enthusiasts as this is where Ernest Shackleton and his Endurance expedition crew took refuge for several months in 1916.
5. Deception Island
Deception Island in the middle of the South Shetland Islands is one of the world's most unique tourist destinations. It is a ring-shaped island with a massive crater at its centre, formed by a volcanic eruption. Part of the crater has collapsed, leaving a natural harbour-like formation that's popular with marine life of all sorts.
It's also home to one of the world's largest colony of penguins, with more than 100,000 breeding pairs. The volcano on the island is still active and hot clouds of steam often rise above the shoreline of the black sandy beaches. Travellers can also go swimming here, as the water is warm despite the region's sub-zero temperatures.
6. South Georgia
"The Attenborough effect" is perhaps at its strongest in South Georgia, where the British broadcaster narrates the region's visitors guide. Known as the "Gateway to Antarctic", South Georgia is located 2,000 kms off the tip of South America, surrounded entirely by the southern Atlantic Ocean.
The region is recognised for its biological importance, biodiversity and breeding populations of seabirds and marine mammals, including petrels, seals, whales, albatross and plenty of penguins. The region has featured in several documentary series, including Frozen Planet, Blue Planet and Planet Earth.
7. Drake Passage
Named after English explorer Sir Francis Drake, despite the fact he never sailed through his namesake waters, the Drake Passage provides a connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Known for its rough seas and one of the primary routes to Antarctica, it's also where travellers can spot a variety of marine life. Its waters are rich in plankton, which attracts whales, seals and ever-popular emperor penguins.
The biog
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The biog
Favourite Quote: “Real victories are those that protect human life, not those that result from its destruction emerge from its ashes,” by The late king Hussain of Jordan.
Favourite Hobby: Writing and cooking
Favourite Book: The Prophet by Gibran Khalil Gibran
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
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
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.”
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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