Latest Audio

The current trend for enterprises to allow 'Bring Your Own Device' (BYOD) into the corporate environment may see their IT infrastructure being susceptible to security issues. Phil Blizzard talks to Matt Irwin, UK Account Director, Excitor about their smartphone app which places all corporate data into a 'container' which is isolated from the personal data of an employee's device.

Audio: The ability to make sense of the masses of the 'big data' mounting daily on company networks and across the internet is the next stage of evolution in business analytics. Such chaotic and vast data requires powerful tools to locate, process and analyse relevant information for enterprises - but harnessing big data will revolutionise business intelligence and transform decision making, according to experts. Steven Bond spoke with Chris Preston, Senior Director of Integrated Technology Strategy with EMC at EMC World in Las Vegas, to break down the big data concept and illustrate its high value.

Audio: The global airline industry is expected to require a further 460,000 pilots over the next 20 years, with expectations in the Middle East for a further 36,000 flight deck crew. The Emirates Aviation College in Dubai offers an number of courses for future pilots and other aviation industry professionals as highlighted by Dr Ahmed Al Ali, Vice Chancellor in this interview with Phil Blizzard.

Phil Blizzard talks to Paula Walshe, Associate Director, Cluttons LLC, Abu Dhabi about key trends in the residential and commercial sector, along with what might be expected in the property market during 2012.

Research in Motion (RIM) key focus is an accleration in the development of apps for the Blackberry. David Schifman, Director of Developer Marketing, RIM. talking to Phil Blizzard outlines the key strategies for Research In Motion, which includes greater engagement with the developer community. He also talks about what can be expected in the future and the challenges facing the telecom sector.

Audio: The BBC's coverage of the Arab Spring in the Middle East has seen their television audience figures grow by 80% and around 50% for the radio and on-line services. At the Arab Media Forum, Phil Blizzard spoke to Faris Couri, Editor in Chief, BBC Arabic Services about their growth, how their strategy for maintaining those figures and their trademark editorial line of 'Impartiality, Objectivity and Fairness'.

Audio: "The convention market will be important to us and Dubai" says Rupprecht Queitsch, GM, J W Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai in conversation with Phil Blizzard at the Arabian Travel Market. He also talks about embracing social media, the logistics of opening a new hotel of this scale, which will be the world's tallest when it opens.

Audio: The first J W Marriott Marquis Hotel outside of the USA will open in Dubai in the later part of 2012. At the Arabian Travel Market Phil Blizzard spoke with Rupprecht Queitsch, GM, J W Marriott Marquis, Dubai to find out more about this brand and what it offers.

Audio: A new report focussed on the issue of data loss, downtime and related investments has found that respondents in Mena, and particularly the UAE, are more concerned about customer confidence than lost revenue, compared to other global reports. Steven Bond spoke to Said Akar, EMC's District Manager for South Gulf about the Disaster Recover Survey 2012 and some of its key findings, including the widespread use of outdated technologies, such as CD-ROMS, for data backup.

Audio: The Kingdom of Saudia Arabia has the fastest growing hospitality sector in the GCC which means a challenge for operators in terms of getting the right staff and the associated formalities. Moustafa Said, Senior Associate, Clyde & Co talks to Phil Blizzard on what hotel operators and owners to need to beware of in an evolving travel and tourism environment, especially if they are new entrants to The Kingdom.

With one of the biggest hotel stocks in the world, London with over 140,000 hotel rooms should not be short of accommodation for the summer Olympics says Chris Foy, Head 2012 Games Unit, Visit Britain. At the Arabian Travel Market he talks to Phil Blizzard about the importance of this summer to London, and the United Kingdom, with both the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Olympics taking place. He also the looks aim of Visit Britain to boost overseas visitors by 4 million a year in just two years.

Gerald Lawless talks to Phil Blizzard at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), on the positive start to 2012 for the group and provides an overview of their regional development plans. He also gives his views on 'Adapting to a Changing Landscape' which is the main theme of the conference.

A roundup of the key travel and tourism news by Phil Blizzard at the Arabian Travel Market. Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths gives an update on their development plans, the UAE apply for full membership status with the UN World Tourism Organisation and Qatar Airways announces new routes. We also hear from some of the 'Travel Oscar' winners from The World Travel Awards.

Audio: The theme for this years Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, organised by MEED and The Bench, was 'Adapting to a Changing Landscape'. With collaboration and innovation Phil Blizzard reports from Madinat Jumeirah at the event which saw the participation of regional and global hotel brands, investors and hotel owners. He talks to Gerald Lawless, Executive Director, Jumeriah Group, Victor Louis, Ras al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Imad Barrakad, CEO, Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development

A round up of the regional travel from Phil Blizzard and this month includes passenger growth for Abu Dhabi International Airport, Flyduabi's foray into Yemen, whilst Emirates says Hello Tomorrow and considers foreign airlines. The big travel related shows - AHIC, ATM and the World Travel Awards are also previewed.