Applications
Alike and DCT Abu Dhabi join hands to launch the Abu Dhabi Pass app
Mumbai: Alike, a pioneering global social travel marketplace and tech innovator has recently announced the launch of the Abu Dhabi Pass app, an innovative digital system designed exclusively for the prestigious Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi). The launch demonstrates the commitment to offer visitors an enhanced experience, whilst promoting Abu Dhabi as a world-class destination for leisure and business expeditions.
Officially unveiled during the ongoing Arabian Travel Mart (ATM) 2024, the Abu Dhabi Pass app has emerged as the most convenient and cost-effective alternative to explore the unique attractions of the bustling city. By simply booking their preferred experiences, users get access to a myriad of exclusive benefits to further enhance their travel journey in the emirate. It is available for both iOS and Android devices.
“We are thrilled to partner with DCT Abu Dhabi and support their visionary approach to create an immersive experience for all tourists visiting Abu Dhabi. The launch of the Abu Dhabi Pass app is a testament to our continued commitment to the travel space. We look forward to witnessing Abu Dhabi visitors benefiting from the app by exploring the rich and diverse offerings of Abu Dhabi with convenience and value,” said Alike co-founder Ashish Sidhra.
Available for both iOS and Android users, the app features over 75 top experiences in the city, ranging from cultural and historical landmarks such as Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Abu Dhabi, to thrilling adventures, like Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld. Furthermore, the app makes it easier for travellers to plan their trip to Abu Dhabi by providing essential travel services including local commute, UAE Visa, and travel sims.
Boasting convenience and value for the guests, the Abu Dhabi Pass app makes use of a single QR code system, which allows them to access all their booked experiences with a single QR scan, saving them the hassle of managing multiple tickets. The app offers attractive discounts that go upto 40 per cent on the regular prices of the experiences, making it a great deal for travellers who want to get the most out of their Abu Dhabi visit.
The app’s launch will be accompanied by the market availability of a dedicated partner app for experienced providers. The partner app will provide easy guest check-in capability for experience providers, by simply scanning the guest ticket QR code. It will also offer many additional features, such as live reporting dashboards and individual guest executive logins.
The app is currently showcased at the Abu Dhabi Pavilion at Arabian Travel Mart being held at the world trade career, Dubai, where visitors can learn more about the app features, and benefits and can download it for free.
Applications
With 57 per cent single new users, Ashley Madison rebrands as discreet dating platform
Platform says majority of new members now identify as single
INDIA: Ashley Madison is shedding the “married-dating” label that defined it for two decades, repositioning itself as a platform for discreet dating in what it calls the post-social media age.
The rebrand, unveiled in India on 27 February, 2026, marks a structural shift in business model and identity. Once synonymous with married dating, the company now describes itself as the “premier destination for discreet dating” under a new tagline: Where Desire Meets Discretion.
The pivot is data-driven. Internal figures show that 57 per cent of global sign-ups between 1 January and 31 December, 2025 identified as single: a notable departure from the platform’s married core. The company argues that its community has already evolved beyond its original positioning.
“In an age where our lives have been constantly put on public display, privacy has become the new luxury,” said Ashley Madison chief strategy officer Paul Keable. He framed the platform’s offering as “ethical discretion” for singles, separated, divorced and non-monogamous users seeking private connections.
The shift also taps into wider digital fatigue. A global survey conducted by YouGov for Ashley Madison, covering 13,071 adults across Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the US, found mounting discomfort with hyper-public online lives.
Among dating app users, 30 per cent cited constant swiping and messaging as a source of fatigue, while 24 per cent pointed to pressure to curate public-facing profiles and early personal disclosure. Some 27 per cent said fears of screenshots or information being shared contributed to exhaustion; an equal share cited unwanted attention.
The retreat from oversharing appears broader. According to the survey, 46 per cent of adults actively try to keep most aspects of their life private online. Only 8 per cent feel comfortable sharing most aspects publicly, while 35 per cent say they are becoming more selective about what they disclose.
Ashley Madison is betting that this cultural recalibration towards controlled visibility can be monetised. By doubling down on privacy infrastructure and reframing itself around discretion rather than infidelity, the company is attempting to convert reputational baggage into a premium proposition.
