Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi has once again secured the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Five-Star rating, marking its fourth consecutive year of recognition by the world’s only independent global rating system for luxury hospitality. 

 

This accolade reinforces the resort’s reputation as a benchmark for unparalleled luxury, impeccable service and transformative guest experiences.

 

“This achievement is more than an award—it is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team, who continuously redefine what luxury hospitality means in the Maldives,” said TJ Joulak, general manager of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. “To be recognised for four consecutive years by Forbes Travel Guide reaffirms our promise to deliver an extraordinary level of service, ensuring that every moment spent at our resort is unforgettable.”

 

This highly coveted accolade underscores the resort’s unwavering commitment to elevating guest experiences, cementing its status among the world’s most luxurious destinations. The resort’s consistent excellence is further highlighted by its continued recognition for the third consecutive year, maintaining its place as a premier choice for discerning travellers.

 

The Forbes Travel Guide Star Rating is one of the industry’s most rigorous and respected distinctions, with properties evaluated against 900 exacting criteria that emphasize flawless service, exceptional facilities, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Only properties that demonstrate consistently extraordinary experiences earn a Five-Star rating. -TradeArabia News Service

 

 

Maseera Holding for Financial Investments, a portfolio company of 2PointZero, a transformational global investment platform and a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company (IHC), today announced the successful acquisition of Adva, an innovative Egyptian consumer finance platform. 

 

This strategic transaction establishes Adva as Maseera’s dedicated technology and data analytics hub for North Africa and marks a critical milestone in Maseera’s regional expansion strategy.

 

Founded in 2020, Adva has emerged as a trailblazer in Egypt’s fintech sector, offering tailored financing for essential services such as healthcare and education. 

 

The platform has built an impressive track record serving Egypt’s underserved middle- and low-income segments, which represents demographics that are often overlooked by traditional financial institutions. 

 

Its proprietary AI-driven credit scoring model utilizes alternative data, including mobile usage insights, to underwrite first-time borrowers and unlock access to finance at scale.

 

This move is part of Maseera’s broader growth strategy following its acquisition by 2PointZero. As announced earlier this year, 2PointZero has committed $1 billion in long-term capital to support Maseera’s mission of building a transcontinental platform focused on financial inclusion, initially targeting key underserved markets across the globe.

 

"In Adva, we found a company that shares our vision and values, particularly the belief that financial services must be accessible, affordable, and human-centered," said Amro Abouesh, CEO of Maseera. 

 

"Together, we will harness the power of data and AI to deliver transformative financial solutions tailored to Egypt’s middle and low-income segments," he added.

 

By integrating Maseera’s Advanced AI technologies, the combined platform is poised to redefine the customer experience in digital finance, creating faster, more inclusive, and highly personalized lending solutions for underserved populations across Egypt.

 

As part of its next phase of growth, Adva has applied for Egypt’s first digital consumer finance license, a regulatory breakthrough that will enable end-to-end onboarding through electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) procedures and legally binding e-signatures. 

 

This move positions Adva to dramatically reduce barriers to access for over 50 million underbanked Egyptians, in alignment with national priorities for financial inclusion and digital transformation.

 

Following the acquisition, Adva will exclusively focus on Egypt’s consumer finance market, developing tailored financial products for essential life needs while enhancing credit access for historically underserved groups.

ITA Airways has officially received approval to start the integration process into Star Alliance following a verdict by the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB). Building on its induction into the Lufthansa Group earlier this year, this decision paves the way for its much anticipated entry into one of the world’s largest airline alliances. The onboarding process will now move at full throttle.

 

Celebrating the milestone, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias stated: “In early 2026, ITA Airways is expected to officially join the Star Alliance network as a full member. The decision by our Chief Executive Board underscores the strong confidence our members have in ITA Airways. As a gateway for Italy, its addition strengthens our global network, offering seamless and connected journeys to more travellers worldwide.”

 

Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said: “We are excited to join the Star Alliance network and to bring the excellence of Made in Italy into the alliance, further enhancing its global reach. This is a significant milestone in ITA Airways’ growth, and we look forward to offering our customers the future privileges of the world’s largest airline network."

 

ITA Airways will add 360 daily flights to the Alliance network, further strengthening the Alliance’s footprint in the European region. The biggest growth will come from its home cities, especially Rome and Milan, which are currently served by 16 Star Alliance members collectively.

 

Leveraging their legacy within the Alliance, Lufthansa Group is mentoring ITA Airways through its integration journey into Star Alliance.

 

“I am proud that ITA Airways will become the fifth hub airline of the Lufthansa Group to join Star Alliance. As the mentor of the membership process, we will do our utmost to ensure a smooth and swift integration. ITA Airways’ future membership will provide Star Alliance customers with many new opportunities for personalised travel planning. I am confident that ITA Airways will be an excellent addition to the Star Alliance portfolio,” said Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group.

 

Upon completing induction, the Star Alliance network will grow to 26 member airlines, offering over 18,000 daily flights connecting 192 countries.-TradeArabia News Service