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Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a major public health challenge globally, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where it is identified as the second most prevalent form of cancer. Despite advancements in management strategies, tailored guidelines specific to the Gulf region are lacking. This paper presents consensus recommendations developed by a panel of experts from the GCC countries to address this gap. The guidelines cover epidemiology, screening, biomarkers, and treatment strategies for metastatic CRC. Treatment guidelines emphasize tailored approaches based on tumor characteristics, including sidedness and molecular profiles. Furthermore, the importance of maintenance therapy and emerging biomarkers are discussed. These guidelines aim to improve CRC management and outcomes in the Gulf region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Microplastic (MP) pollution research has experienced significant global growth, with an exponential increase in publications since 2015. Despite this surge, research focused on the Gulf region remains limited. This gap is particularly concerning given the Gulf's dense industrial activities and substantial waste production. This study provides the first bibliometric analysis of MP research globally and within the Gulf region, examining the current state and emerging trends while identifying specific topics for future studies. Methods: A bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted for global and Gulf region research. Bibliometric analysis employed several tools to identify trends, keyword networks, and research gaps, with manual refinement of keywords to enhance accuracy. The study also analyzed leading countries and institutions contributing to MP research. Results and Discussion: The analysis highlights significant global contributions, with China emerging as a leader in MP research globally and Iran playing a prominent role within the Gulf region. While global publications have increased exponentially since 2015, the Gulf region's research output remains underrepresented, accounting for only about 1.1% of global publications. This underscores the need for enhanced regional research to better integrate the Gulf into the global discourse on MPs. Keyword analysis reveals that certain areas of MP research remain unexplored in the Gulf region. The trend analysis shows an evolving focus globally, shifting from basic interactions of MPs with marine environments to more complex issues such as environmental health and ecosystem impacts. This progression indicates a maturing field that increasingly addresses the broader implications of MP pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the economic boom in the Gulf region in the mid-1970s, it has been an attractive destination for Sri Lankan migrant workers seeking better opportunities. However, Gulf monarchies do not grant citizenship to these workers, making return and reintegration into Sri Lanka a crucial aspect of their migration journeys. While numerous studies have explored the economic aspects of the reintegration of returnees from the Gulf, there is a noticeable gap in the literature concerning the social aspects, particularly among returnees at the upper end of the skill spectrum. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the social dimensions of reintegration, which also impact economic reintegration, drawing on primary data from twenty-one in-depth interviews and a survey of 205 returnee migrants across the skill spectrum. The study's findings indicate that while most returnee high-skilled, skilled, and semi-skilled migrant workers find it relatively easy to readjust to life back in Sri Lanka with their family, friends, and relatives, some face hurdles in settling into new workplaces and reintegrating into the local work culture, which negatively affects their overall social reintegration experience. Furthermore, the study underscores the interconnectedness of economic and social reintegration, each influencing and sometimes exacerbating challenges in the other domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the major drivers, constraints, and prospects for the rapidly growing Sino-Saudi relations, and argues that such a development should be deemed as the embodiment of the strategy of 'changing the focus while keeping the balance' that both Beijing and Riyadh have been implementing in years. While maintaining friendly gestures towards all Arab states, President Xi Jinping's 2022 visit to Saudi Arabia demonstrates that Beijing has shifted its focus on the Arab world away from the Mediterranean to the Gulf region, both economically and politically. On the other hand, as Riyadh's rapprochement with the Biden administration has been slow to make significant progress, Saudi Arabia has also accelerated its pace of 'looking east' while cautiously keeping traditional ties with the West. A robust, stable, and preferably more transparent relationship between China and Saudi Arabia might help mitigate the potential for direct Sino-US confrontation and Gulf tensions, benefiting not only the Middle East and the Mediterranean region but, against the backdrop of the Ukraine war, more economies at both ends of Eurasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Countries in the Middle East have some of the lowest rates of physical activity and some of the highest rates of obesity in the world. Policies can influence population levels of physical activity. However, there is a dearth of research on physical activity policies in the Gulf region. This qualitative study analyses cross-sectoral barriers and facilitators for the development, implementation and evaluation of physical activity policies in Saudi Arabia and Oman, two of the largest countries in the region. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 senior policymakers from the Ministries of Health, Education, and Sport in Saudi Arabia and Oman, and were examined using thematic analysis. Results We identified seven themes related to physical activity policies in Saudi Arabia and Oman: leadership; existing policies; physical activity programs related to policies; private sector policies; challenges; data/monitoring; and future opportunities. Both countries have a central document that guides policy-makers in promoting physical activity, and the available policies in both countries are implemented via multiple programs and initiatives to increase physical activity. Compared with Oman, in Saudi Arabia, programs from the non-profit sector, represented by community groups, play a more significant role in promoting physical activity outside the government framework. The private sector has contributed to promoting physical activity in both countries, but interviewees stated that more financial support is required. Policy limitations differ between Saudi Arabia and Oman: intersectoral collaboration in Oman is limited and mainly based on individuals’ own initiative, while the health transformation in Saudi Arabia tends to slow down policy implementation in relevant areas. Physical education in Saudi Arabia and Oman is similar; however, increased support and collaboration between government agencies and the private sector for out-of-school sports academies are needed. Conclusions This study addresses key gaps in analysing physical activity policies in Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Our study highlights the importance of increasing financial support, improving collaboration between governmental agencies and between them and the private sector and consolidating efforts to back physical activity policies and dismantle cross-sectoral barriers in Saudi Arabia and Oman. Educational institutions in Saudi Arabia and Oman play a crucial role in promoting physical activity from early childhood to young adults. Our insights assist policy-makers, public health officials and stakeholders in shaping effective physical activity-promoting policies, programs and interventions to prevent non-communicable diseases. Challenges identified in Saudi Arabia and Oman's policies will inform their future development.

The primary aim of this article is to assess the E-Government Development Index (EGDI) of Arab Gulf countries, and it elucidates the key obstacles impeding the progress of the Gulf countries in the e-government sector. The EGDI data for the Gulf countries have been obtained from the United Nations, and an online business intelligence tool has been utilized for visualization purposes to facilitate comprehension. The levels of indicators within EGDI have been examined upon effectively retrieving data and presenting it appropriately. The article discusses the key areas of improvement that require governments' attention in the Gulf countries to enhance their EGDI score. This can be leveraged to advance to global standards, offering their citizens optimal governance. Countries in the Gulf region must recognize that the e-government effort encompasses more than simply the transformation of governance and the provision of high-quality services. Instead, it entails aligning with global trends and effectively competing with other nations regarding developmental advancements. Countries must adhere to prevailing e-government trends to ensure alignment with global standards and expedite national advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Countries in the Middle East have some of the lowest rates of physical activity and some of the highest rates of obesity in the world. Policies can influence population levels of physical activity. However, there is a dearth of research on physical activity policies in the Gulf region. This qualitative study analyses cross-sectoral barriers and facilitators for the development, implementation and evaluation of physical activity policies in Saudi Arabia and Oman, two of the largest countries in the region. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 senior policymakers from the Ministries of Health, Education, and Sport in Saudi Arabia and Oman, and were examined using thematic analysis. Results: We identified seven themes related to physical activity policies in Saudi Arabia and Oman: leadership; existing policies; physical activity programs related to policies; private sector policies; challenges; data/monitoring; and future opportunities. Both countries have a central document that guides policy-makers in promoting physical activity, and the available policies in both countries are implemented via multiple programs and initiatives to increase physical activity. Compared with Oman, in Saudi Arabia, programs from the non-profit sector, represented by community groups, play a more significant role in promoting physical activity outside the government framework. The private sector has contributed to promoting physical activity in both countries, but interviewees stated that more financial support is required. Policy limitations differ between Saudi Arabia and Oman: intersectoral collaboration in Oman is limited and mainly based on individuals' own initiative, while the health transformation in Saudi Arabia tends to slow down policy implementation in relevant areas. Physical education in Saudi Arabia and Oman is similar; however, increased support and collaboration between government agencies and the private sector for out-of-school sports academies are needed. Conclusions: This study addresses key gaps in analysing physical activity policies in Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Our study highlights the importance of increasing financial support, improving collaboration between governmental agencies and between them and the private sector and consolidating efforts to back physical activity policies and dismantle cross-sectoral barriers in Saudi Arabia and Oman. Educational institutions in Saudi Arabia and Oman play a crucial role in promoting physical activity from early childhood to young adults. Our insights assist policy-makers, public health officials and stakeholders in shaping effective physical activity-promoting policies, programs and interventions to prevent non-communicable diseases. Challenges identified in Saudi Arabia and Oman's policies will inform their future development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In January 2021, the Gulf Health Council (GHC), established the Gulf Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (Gulf CDC) in Riyadh, marking a pivotal step in harmonizing health strategies, enhancing knowledge generation, and promoting evidence-based approaches to both communicable (CD) and non-communicable diseases (NCD). The Gulf CDC’s mission includes consolidating the region’s health information systems, crucial for monitoring disease burden and shaping effective public health policies. An initial assessment of public health surveillance systems across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states was conducted by the Gulf CDC. This revealed strong national surveillance coverage of CDs but identified areas for improvement, particularly in data quality and representativeness. These findings informed the development of the Gulf CDC’s health information strategy and confirmed the need for a regional surveillance system. Prior to the introduction of this system, senior experts in this field from all GCC member states were surveyed and a consensus process launched to agree on the first steps. This led to the strategic selection of a small number of priority communicable and non-communicable diseases for the pilot phase of the system. The final agreed list of diseases and conditions for the pilot are the CDs: acute respiratory infection (ARI), endemic dengue, brucellosis, measles and pulmonary tuberculosis together with the NCDs: cancer (registry) and road traffic injuries. The initiative will showcase the potential benefits of regional collaboration to improve health outcomes and will ultimately also contribute to global health security efforts.

IntroductionMicroplastic (MP) pollution research has experienced significant global growth, with an exponential increase in publications since 2015. Despite this surge, research focused on the Gulf region remains limited. This gap is particularly concerning given the Gulf's dense industrial activities and substantial waste production. This study provides the first bibliometric analysis of MP research globally and within the Gulf region, examining the current state and emerging trends while identifying specific topics for future studies.MethodsA bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024 was conducted for global and Gulf region research. Bibliometric analysis employed several tools to identify trends, keyword networks, and research gaps, with manual refinement of keywords to enhance accuracy. The study also analyzed leading countries and institutions contributing to MP research.Results and DiscussionThe analysis highlights significant global contributions, with China emerging as a leader in MP research globally and Iran playing a prominent role within the Gulf region. While global publications have increased exponentially since 2015, the Gulf region's research output remains underrepresented, accounting for only about 1.1% of global publications. This underscores the need for enhanced regional research to better integrate the Gulf into the global discourse on MPs. Keyword analysis reveals that certain areas of MP research remain unexplored in the Gulf region. The trend analysis shows an evolving focus globally, shifting from basic interactions of MPs with marine environments to more complex issues such as environmental health and ecosystem impacts. This progression indicates a maturing field that increasingly addresses the broader implications of MP pollution.

Purpose – Interior workspace environments use exclusively artificial light, resulting in a loss of biological connection and natural light quality, as well as greater energy consumption. The purpose of the study is to identify a suitable system that can provide natural light to such interior spaces throughout the day while supplementing it with artificial light when necessary. The fundamental aim is to provide insights into the most effective solutions for energy-efficient lighting design in the UAE's environment, with the potential to lower energy consumption related to interior lighting. Design/methodology/approach – The study adopted an empirical approach to gather and analyze primary data based on field measurements to understand and assess existing lighting conditions, as well as DIALux lighting simulation software to test the efficacy of the proposed HLS in terms of natural light delivery, illumination quality and energy consumption. A branch of a local bank in the United Arab Emirates, situated inside one of the shopping malls where there is no natural light penetration, has been chosen as a case study. Findings – The findings of comparing the base case to four probable scenarios that used HLS revealed that the third scenario, which uses 100% pure sunshine and 35% artificial LED light during daylight operations and 100% LED light during night duty, is considered to be optimal in terms of illumination quality and energy efficiency. Originality/value – The study demonstrated the potential of innovative lighting to improve the visual working environment in interior spaces with limited access to direct natural lighting, especially in arid regions, where sunlight is plentiful throughout the year. The study contributes new insights into the establishment of lighting-related recommendations and standards for the UAE context. This may include advice for sustainable construction practices, lighting guidelines or incentives to encourage the use of hybrid lighting technology in commercial and institutional buildings.

This study explored the nature, prevalence, and developmental profiles of sensory processing disorders among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The participants comprised 119 children with ASD and 30 typically developing children and their parents. The Child Sensory Profile-2 was used to assess the children's sensory processing characteristics. The children with ASD exhibited elevated sensory processing difficulties. Deficits were observed in all the sensory modalities among the children with ASD, except the visual processing modality. Age-related improvements were observed in most sensory processing domains, although non-significant differences were noted in three domains. These findings should enhance understanding of the sensory challenges faced by children with ASD and contribute to the development of individually tailored, targeted, and age-specific therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Estudios Internacionales Mediterraneos is the property of Taller de Estudios Internacionales Mediterraneos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background Despite the established need to prioritize professionalism-training in developing future physicians, very few medical programs in the Gulf Region embed in their curricula discrete contextualized courses aimed at developing the corresponding competencies, while fostering self-directed learning. This study aims at exploring the perception of undergraduate medical students in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic setting regarding their understanding of, and personal experience with professionalism through their engagement with the content of an innovative curriculum-based professionalism course, offered at a Medical School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Methods The study used a qualitative phenomenological research design. Out of 33 students, 29 students had submitted reflective essays. The content of these essays was inductively analyzed following a six-step framework for conducting thematic analysis. The framework’s steps include familiarizing oneself with the data, generating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and producing the report. Findings The inductive qualitative analysis generated the Professionalism Learning Journey model. This conceptual model includes four interconnected themes: Awareness, Acknowledgement, Realization, and Application. The generated model depicts the trajectory that the learners appear to experience while they are engaging with the content of the course. Conclusion Integrating a professionalism-training course into an undergraduate medical curriculum is likely to be positively appraised by the learners. It raises their awareness, enables them to value the subject matter and the sophistication of its application, and empowers them to put into practice the taught principles, on an individual basis and collectively. This is especially true when the course is entrenched in constructivism experiential learning theory and designed to foster self-directed learning. The introduced conceptual model, in conjunction with the innovative professionalism-training course curriculum, can serve as a template for other competencies and other schools.

The scale of migraine and its impact on the lives of patients in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries may be underestimated by healthcare professionals and the public and unmet needs in the provision of migraine medical care may exist. This article reports the key outcomes from a meeting of migraine specialists and their patients organised by the Emirates Neurology Society to learn more about the patient diagnosis and treatment journey and the extent to which migraine affects daily life. Patient stories indicate that the burden of migraine is underestimated, migraine is not generally recognised as a disease, delayed and incorrect diagnoses are common, and that achieving symptom control is often more a question of good luck rather than good management. Disease awareness campaigns are recommended to elevate societal understanding of migraine and reduce stigma toward patients affected by migraine. Recommendations for an improved healthcare system experience for patients affected by migraine include education initiatives targeting patients and physicians as well as initiatives to address gaps in the diagnosis and treatment of migraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The effectiveness and safety of long-acting insulin glargine U300 (Gla-300), in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) requiring insulin, has not been reported in the Gulf region. Methods: Insulin-naïve patients with T2DM, uncontrolled on OADs, and prescribed Gla-300 were followed up in a 12-month prospective observational study. Gla-300 was titrated to glycemic targets. The primary endpoint (achieving glycemic targets) was evaluated at month 6 of treatment. The need for treatment intensification, safety, and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) were also reported. Results: The study included 412 patients (61.7% men; age 52.2 ± 11.1 years and T2DM duration 10.7 ± 6.8 years). Almost 50% were on more than 3 OADs, mostly biguanides, sulfonylureas, and dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors. Baseline HbA1c level was 9.2% ± 1.1% and targets were set at 6.9% ± 0.4%. Baseline fasting plasma glucose was 11.5 ± 3.8 mmol/l. Fifty-seven patients (13.8%) achieved glycemic targets at month 6, hindered by baseline HbA1c ≥ 10%, frequent co-morbidities, older age, suburban/rural residence, and full-time employment. Levels of HbA1c dropped progressively by 0.96% ± 0.07% (month 3), 1.29% ± 0.08% (month 6), and 1.76% ± 0.06% (month 12). Gla-300 dose was 17.0 ± 9.0 IU/day at baseline, 24.6 ± 9.6 IU/day at month 3, 28.5 ± 9.9 IU/day at month 6, and 30.7 ± 10.7 IU/day at month 12. Three patients experienced non-severe hypoglycemia and a slight decrease in body weight and PROs improved. Conclusions: In the Gulf, Gla-300 in patients with T2DM uncontrolled on OADs improved glycemic control, with low rates of hypoglycemia and improved PROs. Gla-300 dose up-titration from baseline to month 6 did not, however, result in a vast proportion of patients achieving their pre-determined HbA1c targets. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03703869. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the established need to prioritize professionalism-training in developing future physicians, very few medical programs in the Gulf Region embed in their curricula discrete contextualized courses aimed at developing the corresponding competencies, while fostering self-directed learning. This study aims at exploring the perception of undergraduate medical students in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic setting regarding their understanding of, and personal experience with professionalism through their engagement with the content of an innovative curriculum-based professionalism course, offered at a Medical School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Methods: The study used a qualitative phenomenological research design. Out of 33 students, 29 students had submitted reflective essays. The content of these essays was inductively analyzed following a six-step framework for conducting thematic analysis. The framework's steps include familiarizing oneself with the data, generating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and producing the report. Findings: The inductive qualitative analysis generated the Professionalism Learning Journey model. This conceptual model includes four interconnected themes: Awareness, Acknowledgement, Realization, and Application. The generated model depicts the trajectory that the learners appear to experience while they are engaging with the content of the course. Conclusion: Integrating a professionalism-training course into an undergraduate medical curriculum is likely to be positively appraised by the learners. It raises their awareness, enables them to value the subject matter and the sophistication of its application, and empowers them to put into practice the taught principles, on an individual basis and collectively. This is especially true when the course is entrenched in constructivism experiential learning theory and designed to foster self-directed learning. The introduced conceptual model, in conjunction with the innovative professionalism-training course curriculum, can serve as a template for other competencies and other schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an empirical investigation of the effects university brand personality and student–university identification have on student participation and citizenship behaviour in the context of higher education. The study employed a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from 433 university students. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results revealed that only the sincerity and lively facets of university brand personality play a vital role in informing student–university identification. Furthermore, when students perceive their university brand to be more sincere, they are more likely to exhibit citizenship behaviour. The study also found that students who identify with their university engage in various forms of participation and citizenship behaviours. University administrators can streamline their marketing and branding communication to emphasise specific brand characteristics in order to improve student identification with the university and student engagement in university-supportive and extra-role behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several Asian countries that encourage international migration of labour call their emigrants 'national heroes and heroines' because of their contributions to foreign currency reserves and subsequent national development. However, the massive involuntary return amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the health risk associated with returning from virus-affected regions, such as the Gulf states, call the development narratives of migrants and migrant remittances into question. This study examines the experiences of Gulf return migrants in Bangladesh, focusing on their arrivals at the airport, their travels home, their receptions at the origin communities, their financial hardship upon return and the shifting development narratives in the origin country. The paper draws on primary data, collected through interviews of Gulf returnees in Bangladesh between 2020 and 2021. This study finds that the image of migrants as 'national heroes' is not only challenged during the pandemic but replaced almost overnight by a new one, such as 'COVID-19 super-spreaders'. This research reports that migrants confront with unpleasant circumstances during their return migration process that render their return to their country of origin disgraceful. The paper stresses developing policy measures to protect involuntary returnees from victimisation and disgraceful circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the Middle East has often been the subject of foreign interventions and the interests of superpowers. The effect of internal dynamics was pushed to the background in regional developments as a result of this situation. It is very important, however, to analyze the Middle East by understanding the power struggles between the regional powers Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran. This article examines the leadership struggle and role conceptualizations between the regional powers of the Middle East with a focus on the relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia. It argues that Turkey is not a rival to Saudi Arabia's national role conceptions in the Gulf region, but rather a favorable partner when it comes to Gulf security and economic relations. Relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia will follow a positive course with mutual normalization steps and Turkey's export-led growth and regional cooperation strategies.

The optimal stenting strategy for unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease remains debated. This retrospective observational study (Gulf Left Main Registry) analyzed the outcomes of 1 vs 2 stents in patients with unprotected left main percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Overall, 1222 patients were evaluated; 173 had 1 stent and 1049 had 2 stents. The 2-stent group was older with more comorbidities, higher mean SYNTAX scores, and more distal bifurcation lesions. In the 1-stent group, in-hospital events were significant for major bleeding, and better mean creatinine clearance. At median follow-up of 20 months, the 1-stent group was more likely to have target lesion revascularization (TLR). Total mortality was numerically lower in the 1-stent group (.00% vs 2.10%); however, this was not statistically significant (P =.068). Our analysis demonstrates the benefits of a 2-stent approach for ULMCA patients with high SYNTAX scores and lesions in both major side branches, while the potential benefit of a 1-stent approach for less complex ULMCA was also observed. Further studies with longer follow-up are needed to definitively demonstrate the optimal approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: This study explores features of professional learning community (PLC) models in the educational contexts in Bahrain and Oman. Findings based on the case studies of PLCs in two private schools in Bahrain and Oman, and theoretical input from international PLC literature has implications for policy and practice. Study recommends promoting PLC approaches in the Bahraini and Omani educational systems in pre- and in-service teacher training programs, adapting best international PLC practices to the specific educational contexts of Bahrain and Oman, preparing school principals to lead PLC in their schools, providing human and financial support to these communities, and making school cultures more collaborative. This study highlights the importance of the PLC approach, expands the existing conceptual/analytical framework, demonstrates how this approach is being used in two schools, and encourages other practitioners and researchers to embrace PLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing employment to nationals in an economy where more than two-thirds of the population comprise foreigners has been a struggle for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Of the various tactics used by the GCC countries to nationalize their workforce, the quota system policy has been the most popular one. This study examines the integrative scholarly research on the quota system that has been reported to date and proposes a framework for discerning the role of the quota system in implementing the nationalization strategy as a tool, a facilitator, an inhibitor, and an assessor for nationalization. We conclude with several recommendations that policy makers and organizations can adopt to improve the efficacy of the quota system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Area Studies is in crisis, but research on Area Studies also demonstrates the relevance of and need for Area Studies through case studies in different world regions. However, there is a dearth of research on the imperatives of Gulf Area Studies in the Gulf region, which provides the rationale for this study. This study examines the imperatives of Gulf studies by addressing a wide range of questions: Why is Area Studies still relevant? What are the challenges and prospects for Area Studies in general and Gulf studies in particular? What makes a region a region and, therefore, an area of interest and research? Why is it necessary to produce Gulf-specific knowledge? What are the ways forward for Gulf studies? This paper addresses these questions within three broad themes: debates in Area Studies, the Gulf as a region, and Gulf studies within the Gulf region. Drawing on the existing scholarship, we argue that producing area-specific knowledge in the Gulf is not a luxury, but rather a necessity, despite its challenges. Decentering Gulf studies away from the Western academic umbrella to the Gulf region is a crucial move with far-reaching implications for the field of Gulf studies. However, the discipline of Gulf studies must evolve, and fundamentally reposition itself in order to keep pace with rapidly transforming Gulf society in the years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The incidence of liver cancer is rising globally and is estimated to reach >1 million cases by 2025. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for ~90% of the cases of liver cancer and is associated with a high healthcare expenditure and death rate. The most prominent risk factors for HCC include hepatitis B and C viral infections and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis associated with metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes. There has been a steady increase in the diagnosis of liver cancer in the Arabian Gulf region, possibly due to the high incidence of obesity, diabetes, and viral hepatitis. The diversity of the Gulf population makes it imperative to develop and implement effective screening programs for the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC. In this review, we discuss the available literature on the epidemiology, screening, and management of HCC in the Gulf region. The burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is on the rise in the Gulf region, with most patients being diagnosed in the intermediate or advanced stages. Surgery is a treatment option for only a few, and the majority of patients receive either locoregional treatment (percutaneous ethanol injection, radiofrequency ablation, transarterial chemoembolization [TACE], radioembolization, radiotherapy, or transarterial radioembolization) or systemic therapy (for those ineligible for locoregional treatments or who do not benefit from TACE). The recent emergence of novel immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors has begun to change the landscape of systemic HCC treatment in the Gulf. The combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab is currently the preferred first-line therapy in patients not at risk of bleeding. Additionally, the HIMALAYA trial has demonstrated the superiority of the durvalumab plus tremelimumab combination (STRIDE regimen) therapy in efficacy and safety compared with sorafenib in patients with unresectable HCC. However, there is a lack of data on post-progression treatment after first-line therapy with either atezolizumab plus bevacizumab or durvalumab plus tremelimumab regimens, highlighting the need for better-designed studies for improved management of patients with unresectable HCC in the Gulf region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to describe the real-world effectiveness and tolerability of ocrelizumab treatment at MS Clinic, Tawam Hospital. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center study analyzed the medical records of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving the standard dose of ocrelizumab. Results: After starting ocrelizumab, 3 of the 19 patients included in the study experienced disease progression, 3 showed disability improvement, and the remaining 13 had stable status. None of the 15 patients with relapsing-remitting MS experienced a relapse. The average expanded disability status scale of all patients dropped from 2.32 to 2.22, when switched to ocrelizumab. After the follow-up period, 16 (84.21%) patients did not have any magnetic resonance imaging activity. Conclusion: As an MS treatment, ocrelizumab is associated with a favorable response in terms of both efficacy and safety in clinical practice settings. The efficacy and safety demonstrated must be further evaluated to provide real-world evidence for the use of ocrelizumab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sultan Qaboos bin Said ruled Oman from 1970 to 2020. After Sultan Qaboos died on January 10, 2020, Haitham bin Tarik began to rule the Sultanate of Oman on January 11, 2020. After taking over the administration, he attempted to rescue his country from its dire economic situation by instituting structural changes to make the country's administration more active and secure. He also adheres to Sultan Qaboos' management principles, particularly in foreign policy. The foundation and development of today's Turkish-Omani relations was largely accomplished during the reign of Sultan Qaboos bin Said. However, relations continue developing with the same goodwill and vision today. The reciprocal visits of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Sultan Haitham are one of the most anticipated developments in Turkish-Omani relations in this period. Türkiye's collaborating with friendly and brotherly Oman in many fields and two countries' sharing their experiences mutually will benefit both Türkiye and Oman, as well as the Gulf region in particular and the Middle East region in general. Türkiye can make significant contributions to Oman, particularly in the construction, tourism, health, and defense industries. The interest and affection of the people of Oman for Türkiye will be an important factor in establishing solid relations between the two countries. Oman is relatively unknown in Türkiye. As a result, Oman should work harder to increase its visibility in Türkiye. The fact that Oman is a beautiful tourist destination should be promoted more widely in Türkiye. Increasing the number of flights between the two countries is a positive step in this direction. With the two countries' cooperation, there is still a lot of work to do in the field of higher education. Both sides are working hard to further develop Turkish-Oman relations, and as a result, relations between the two countries will improve significantly in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The overuse of short-acting β2-agonists (SABA) is associated with poor asthma control. However, data on SABA use in the Gulf region are limited. Herein, we describe SABA prescription practices and clinical outcomes in patients with asthma from the Gulf cohort of the SABA use IN Asthma (SABINA) III study. Methods In this cross-sectional study conducted at 16 sites across Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, eligible patients (aged ≥ 12 years) with asthma were classified based on investigator-defined disease severity guided by the 2017 Global Initiative for Asthma report and by practice type, i.e., respiratory specialist or primary care physician. Data on demographics, disease characteristics, and prescribed asthma treatments, including SABA, in the 12 months prior to a single, prospective, study visit were transcribed onto electronic case report forms (eCRFs). All analyses were descriptive in nature. Continuous variables were summarized by the number of non-missing values, given as mean (standard deviation [SD]) and median (range). Categorical variables were summarized by frequency counts and percentages. Results This study analyzed data from 301 patients with asthma, 54.5% of whom were treated by respiratory specialists. Most patients were female (61.8%), with a mean age of 43.9 years, and 84.4% were classified with moderate-to-severe disease, with a mean (SD) asthma duration of 14.8 (10.8) years. Asthma was partly controlled or uncontrolled in 51.2% of patients, with 41.9% experiencing ≥ 1 severe exacerbation in the 12 months preceding their study visit. Overall, 58.5% of patients were prescribed ≥ 3 SABA canisters, 19.3% were prescribed ≥ 10 canisters, and 13.3% purchased SABA over-the-counter (OTC) in the 12 months before the study visit. Most patients who purchased OTC SABA (92.5%) also received SABA prescriptions. Inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β2-agonist combinations and oral corticosteroid bursts were prescribed to 87.7% and 22.6% of patients, respectively. Conclusions SABA over-prescription was highly prevalent in the Gulf region, compounded by purchases of nonprescription SABA and suboptimal asthma-related outcomes. Increased awareness among policymakers and healthcare practitioners is needed to ensure implementation of current, evidence-based, treatment recommendations to optimize asthma management in this region. Trial registration NCT03857178 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

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Since the boom in the economies of Gulf countries in the mid-1970s, the region has gradually become an appealing destination for professional migrants. In the Gulf, professionals gain skills and knowledge which could be beneficial for their home countries. However, the majority of studies on professional migrants have only focused on those who migrate to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. This study on Sri Lankan professional migrants to Qatar attempts to address this dearth in literature by assessing the skills and long-term plans of Sri Lankan professionals in Qatar. The study is based on primary data gathered via in-depth interviews and an online survey of 125 Sri Lankan professionals based in Qatar. Drawing on the concepts of brain drain and brain gain and using a mixed-method analysis, the study identifies that the enhancement of communication, technical, managerial and other skills and the exposure to cutting-edge technologies by Sri Lankan professionals in Qatar are valuable for Sri Lanka. The study also identifies that the majority of Sri Lankan professionals in Qatar have prolonged their stay in the country. Moreover, a significant number of these professionals intend to migrate to OECD countries permanently without returning to Sri Lanka, which prevents the country from benefiting from their skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of teacher burnout on collegial relationships among faculty members in two higher education institutions- one in Kuwait and the other in the United Arab Emirates. A quantitative methodology was employed using a self-constructed online questionnaire. The results of the study showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the teachers' perception of burnout and collegiality by gender, age group, and years of experience in teaching at a 0.05 level of significance. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the teachers in Kuwait and the UAE in their perception of burnout, although the difference was not significant for collegiality at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings also showed that the participants' gender, age, and work experience were not predictors of collegiality, but the perception of burnout was a significant predictor of collegiality. Conclusions were drawn from the study's findings, with implications for policy, practice, and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viktor V Chirikov,1 Chris Walker,2 Jennifer M Stephens,1 Patricia Schepman,3 Richard Chambers,4 Mahmoud Bakir,5 Gregory W Poorman,1 Seema Haider,6 Mohammed Farghaly7 1OPEN Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; 2Global Medical Affairs, Viatris, Tadworth, UK; 3Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Pfizer Inc, New York, NY, USA; 4Biostatistics, Pfizer Inc, Collegeville, PA, USA; 5Upjohn Export B.V., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 6Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA; 7Dubai Medical College, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesCorrespondence: Jennifer M StephensOPEN Health, Bethesda, MD, USATel +1 703 625 5943Email jstephens@pharmerit.comObjective: Data on osteoarthritis patients from the PRECISION trial were used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of celecoxib (100 mg twice daily) versus ibuprofen (600– 800 mg three times daily) and naproxen (375– 500 mg twice daily). The perspective was that of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) healthcare system.Methods: Discrete-state Markov model with monthly cycles, 30-month horizon, and 3% discount rate was constructed to assess incremental costs per quality adjusted life year (QALYs) gained from reduced incidence of three safety domains examined in PRECISION: renal, serious gastrointestinal (GI), and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Costs for managing these toxicities were derived from Dubai Administrative Billing Claims (2018). Median monthly drug costs were derived from UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention’s published prices ($26.98 celecoxib; $20.25 ibuprofen; $20.50 naproxen). Health utility and excess mortality associated with toxicities were sourced from the literature. The willingness-to-pay thresholds used were 1 and 3 GDP per capita ($40,000–$120,000).Results: The total average cost per patient was $812.88 for celecoxib, $775.26 for ibuprofen, and $731.17 for naproxen while cost components attributed to toxicities were lowest with celecoxib ($360.26, $438.31, and $388.60, respectively). Patients on celecoxib had more QALYs (1.339), compared with ibuprofen (1.335) and naproxen (1.337), resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $11,502/QALY gained for celecoxib versus ibuprofen and $39,779 for celecoxib versus naproxen. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses demonstrated celecoxib to be 81% cost-effective versus ibuprofen and 50% versus naproxen at $40,000/QALY. The most influential model parameters were MACE relative safety and drug costs.Conclusion: From UAE third payer perspective, celecoxib is a long-term cost-effective treatment for osteoarthritis patients when compared with ibuprofen, and equally likely as naproxen to be cost-effective. With the expected increasing burden of chronic diseases in the Gulf region, study findings can inform decisions regarding the cost-effective pain management of osteoarthritis in UAE.Clinicaltrials.gov Registration Number: NCT00346216.Keywords: Markov, NSAIDs, comparative effectiveness, safety, Gulf region, AfME, MENA

The hot climate in the Gulf region is forcing many farmers to use controlled environment agriculture by using evaporative coolers inside greenhouses. These coolers are consuming around 60% of the water used for the greenhouse. Replacing groundwater with treated wastewater will have a good impact in saving freshwater for other different applications. The problem is that treated wastewater is rich of nutrients that can support algae growth, block the cooling pads, and reduce the efficiency of the cooling system. Moreover, it is unclear if the water can be a source of any airborne diseases that could affect human health and crop quality. Unfortunately, few or no data is available related to the applications of treated wastewater in greenhouse cooling system. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of using treated wastewater in greenhouse cooling system and asses any potential risk to the environment that could affect human health and crop quality and safety. The greenhouse cooling system was connected to tertiary treated wastewater and the system was left to run for two months. Algae growth was observed in cooling pads. Samples from cooling pads, air, and water were taken for microbial analysis. The same sampling was made from other greenhouse running with freshwater. Using treated wastewater in cooling system did not show any negative impacts in plant growth. However, rapid growth of algae in cooling pad of treated wastewater was noticed compared to the groundwater cooling system. This could be minimized by covering cooling pads with shade net, or adding some anti-algae growth (CaSO4) in cooling tanks, or using plastic cooling pads, or cleaning cooling pads from time to time. Moreover, more types of bacteria were found in treated wastewater cooling system but were not harmful for human and plants. Almost similar microbes were found in the air and water running in all greenhouses. Therefore, the study recommends the use of treated wastewater in the greenhouse cooling system with application of antifouling compounds or using plastic cooling pads that can be easily cleaned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on urban spaces in the Gulf region has increased substantially over the last two decades, particularly with a strong focus on contemporary phenomena. However, this focus often overlooks entangled histories and past trajectories that are formative for the present. Moreover, it perpetuates the notion of the region's ahistoricity. To challenge the Gulf cities' presumed lack of history, we have used a media-historical approach engaging with the history of a medium (e.g., architecture, film, magazine, photography, social media) in relation to a specific city. The article first provides an overview of recent research on the Gulf's urban cultures in various disciplines. After introducing our approach, the article then considers temporality and spatiality as research perspectives in media studies and subsequently shifts to established media-historical approaches within Middle Eastern and South Asian area studies. It evaluates the complexities of writing on the art and architectural histories of the Gulf as specific forms of media. Finally, it addresses the potential of transdisciplinarity and collaboration as methods resituating the Gulf within the Arab region, the Persianate world and the Indian Ocean, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study dealt with the effect of the Qatari crisis on the gulf region through explaining the roots, causes, consequences and security of the crisis on the region, to reveal the effects that the Qatari crisis caused to the regional balances. The study adopted the analytical method through showing the Qatari crisis state and its reflections on the regional relations. The study concludes that there is a new alliance that may cause a disruption in the traditional balance of power in the region. The study also shows the inability of the Gulf Cooperation Council to solve the internal crisis. The study recommends enhancing security systems for all Arab Gulf countries [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital platforms have empowered individuals and communities to re-negotiate long-established notions of religion and authority. A new generation of social media influencers has recently emerged in the Muslim world. They are western-educated, unique storytellers, and savvy in digital media production. This raises new questions on the future of Islam in the context of emerging challenges, such as the openness of technology and the often-perceived closedness of religious and cultural systems within Muslim societies. This paper uses a multiple case research design to examine the roles of social media influencers in reimagining Islam and reshaping spiritual beliefs and religious practices among young people in the Gulf Region, the Arab world, and beyond. We used thematic analysis of the Instagram and YouTube content of four social media influencers in the Gulf Region: Salama Mohamed and Khalid Al Ameri from the United Arab Emirates, Ahmad Al-Shugairi from Saudi Arabia, and Omar Farooq from Bahrain. The study found that social media influencers are challenging traditional religious authorities as they reimagine Muslim identities based on a new global lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dubai (United Arab Emirates; UAE) has a multi-national population which makes it exceptionally interesting study sample because of its unique demographic factors. Objective: To stratify the risk factors for the multinational society of the UAE. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 560 patients sequentially admitted to inpatient care with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 was conducted. We studied patients' demographics, clinical features, laboratory results, disease severity, and outcomes. The parameters were compared across different ethnic groups using tree-based estimators to rank the ethnicity-specific disease features. We trained ML classification algorithms to build a model of ethnic specificity of COVID-19 based on clinical presentation and laboratory findings on admission. Results: Out of 560 patients, 43.6% were South Asians, 26.4% Middle Easterns, 16.8% East Asians, 10.7% Caucasians, and 2.5% are under others. UAE nationals represented half of the Middle Eastern patients, and 13% of the entire cohort. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity in COVID-19 patients. Subjective complaint of fever and cough were the chief presenting symptoms. Two-thirds of the patients had either a mild disease or were asymptomatic. Only 20% of the entire cohort needed oxygen therapy, and 12% needed ICU admission. Forty patients (~7%) needed invasive ventilation and fifteen patients died (2.7%). We observed differences in disease severity among different ethnic groups. Caucasian or East-Asian COVID-19 patients tended to have a more severe disease despite a lower risk profile. In contrast to this, Middle Eastern COVID-19 patients had a higher risk factor profile, but they did not differ markedly in disease severity from the other ethnic groups. There was no noticeable difference between the Middle Eastern subethnicities—Arabs and Africans—in disease severity (p = 0.81). However, there were disparities in the SOFA score, D-dimer (p = 0.015), fibrinogen (p = 0.007), and background diseases (hypertension, p = 0.003; diabetes and smoking, p = 0.045) between the subethnicities. Conclusion: We observed variations in disease severity among different ethnic groups. The high accuracy (average AUC = 0.9586) of the ethnicity classification model based on the laboratory and clinical findings suggests the presence of ethnic-specific disease features. Larger studies are needed to explore the role of ethnicity in COVID-19 disease features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China and India have significant interests in the Gulf region. Their ties with the region are not limited to just the economic domain but, in fact, go beyond it to include the security and political domains. Consequently, to protect their interests, China and India have been pursuing various policies to engage with the region. These policies have been linked to their long-time spatial and positional rivalry in Asia. This article argues that the China–India rivalry in the Gulf region can be classified as a soft rather than hard rivalry. Unlike their rivalry in the Indian Ocean, seen as a hard rivalry, in which both powers are trying to contain and counter the power and presence of the other, the essence of their rivalry in the Gulf region is geared towards each power looking to strengthen its interest and not to directly undermine the interests of the other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the volatility spillover between oil price and conventional and Islamic stock markets. We use a sample of five standard MSCI indexes and their Islamic counterparts from five countries from the Gulf region (Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE) and Brent crude oil price index, obtained from MSCI and Energy Information Administration (EIA), to represent the world oil market. We analyze the spillover effects between crude oil and Islamic and conventional indexes using the bivariate VARMA-BEKK-GARCH model of Ling and McAleer (2013), which includes spillover effects in return and variance. Our findings show particular specificities of Islamic marketplaces in reducing the volatility transmission and lowering the volatility persistence, which gives the investors and market participants an opportunity in terms of international diversification and hedging effectiveness. Although our results are indicative of crude oil hedging strategies, they also testify the distinction of Islamic financial markets and raises the issue of strategic posture and competitiveness in the global financial system.

BackgroundDubai (United Arab Emirates; UAE) has a multi-national population which makes it exceptionally interesting study sample because of its unique demographic factors.ObjectiveTo stratify the risk factors for the multinational society of the UAE.MethodsA retrospective chart review of 560 patients sequentially admitted to inpatient care with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 was conducted. We studied patients’ demographics, clinical features, laboratory results, disease severity, and outcomes. The parameters were compared across different ethnic groups using tree-based estimators to rank the ethnicity-specific disease features. We trained ML classification algorithms to build a model of ethnic specificity of COVID-19 based on clinical presentation and laboratory findings on admission.ResultsOut of 560 patients, 43.6% were South Asians, 26.4% Middle Easterns, 16.8% East Asians, 10.7% Caucasians, and 2.5% are under others. UAE nationals represented half of the Middle Eastern patients, and 13% of the entire cohort. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity in COVID-19 patients. Subjective complaint of fever and cough were the chief presenting symptoms. Two-thirds of the patients had either a mild disease or were asymptomatic. Only 20% of the entire cohort needed oxygen therapy, and 12% needed ICU admission. Forty patients (~7%) needed invasive ventilation and fifteen patients died (2.7%). We observed differences in disease severity among different ethnic groups. Caucasian or East-Asian COVID-19 patients tended to have a more severe disease despite a lower risk profile. In contrast to this, Middle Eastern COVID-19 patients had a higher risk factor profile, but they did not differ markedly in disease severity from the other ethnic groups. There was no noticeable difference between the Middle Eastern subethnicities—Arabs and Africans—in disease severity (p = 0.81). However, there were disparities in the SOFA score, D-dimer (p = 0.015), fibrinogen (p = 0.007), and background diseases (hypertension, p = 0.003; diabetes and smoking, p = 0.045) between the subethnicities.ConclusionWe observed variations in disease severity among different ethnic groups. The high accuracy (average AUC = 0.9586) of the ethnicity classification model based on the laboratory and clinical findings suggests the presence of ethnic-specific disease features. Larger studies are needed to explore the role of ethnicity in COVID-19 disease features.

Gulf countries, like other parts of the world, were affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Along with its biological effects, the pandemic has had serious psychological and social effects. The pandemic-associated general stress and the increased efforts of handwashing and general hygiene might trigger obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The objective of this narrative review was to explore the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence, severity of symptoms, and accessibility of treatment for OCD in Gulf countries. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to review and collect research and/or reports on the prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment adaptations and strategies of OCD during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in seven Arab Gulf countries. The search spanned from the onset of the crisis in 2020 to 2024. Peer-reviewed articles and reports were sourced from PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar, while abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congresses were also included in the review. A total of four studies from Saudi Arabia, two from the United Arab Emirates, and two from Qatar were retrieved for analysis. These studies focused on investigating the impact of the pandemic on OCD. Studies from Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain reported a negative impact of the pandemic on mental health, yet no specific data were provided. The studies highlighted an increased prevalence of OCD symptoms, both in terms of the incidence of new symptoms and the exacerbation of existing pre-pandemic manifestations. Furthermore, individuals with pre-existing psychological disorders or OCD were particularly susceptible to the negative impact of the pandemic. A review of local studies and reports from the Arab Gulf region reveals a striking paucity of research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on OCD. The pandemic has been associated with an increase in the prevalence of OCD, the onset of new symptoms, and the worsening and exacerbation of existing pre-pandemic obsessions and compulsions., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Algadeeb et al.)

Gulf countries are witnessing unprecedent economic challenges to address the sharp decline on oil demand due to the drop in international commerce and transportations because of Covid-19 Pandemic crisis. This paper examines the roles of tourism authorities in the Arab region in managing and marketing tourists' destinations drawing upon the case of Saudi Arabia. The later represents a special case worth of study because it is undergoing a transition from purely religious to leisure tourism phases. This situation has prompted the author's attention to answer several questions such as what are tourism competitiveness indicators of the country, how its tourism sector is governed and equiped with qualified personnel, and how Saudi Arabia is marketed as a leisure destination? To answer these questions, the paper starts with identifying the determinants of tourism competitiveness through the review of literature. In addition it conducted a quantitative analysis of Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) to stand on the comparative competitive position of the country with fifteen well established tourists' destinations in the region. Secondary data was supplemented by face-to-face interviews and online surveys. A purposive sample of one hundred and twenty employees working in the Saudi Tourism Authority in Riyadh specializing in marketing, human resources and information systems was selected from six hundreds officials working in the authority. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 22. The results indicated three levels of tourism performances as low, average and good in Saudi Arabia. Main gaps were identified and a suggested framework was proposed to address them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have been the most preferred destination for professional migrants from Sri Lanka. However, with the boom in the petroleum industry of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the 1970s, the Gulf has increasingly become an appealing destination for Sri Lankan professional migrants. Among Gulf countries, Qatar is the most common destination. A combination of various factors motivates highly-skilled Sri Lankan workers to migrate to the GCC in general and Qatar in particular. The primary objective of this paper is to analyse these factors. The study is based on primary data gathered via in-depth interviews with 12 key informants and an online survey of 125 professionals. The sample for the questionnaire was selected using a combination of non-probability methods and the data gathered was analysed using a mixed methodology. The study identifies that among the numerous factors that influence Sri Lankan professionals to migrate to the GCC, the tax-free salary which the respondents believe to be higher than the disposable income they can earn in OECD countries is the primary reason for migrating to a Gulf country over OECD countries. The study also identifies that whereas quality-of-life-related factors play a key role in the migration decision to OECD countries, income-related factors are the most crucial in migrating to GCC nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]