In 2009, Abhishek Dadlani pivoted from being a banker to founding a boutique luxury travel company, as he wanted to follow his passion.
The Indian, 43, established Lushescapes 16 years ago to deliver bespoke travel experiences to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, drawing on his own love of exploring. Over the years, the company has curated “unique” travel experiences across 96 destinations and catered to the top end of the demographics in the Gulf. They have had a presence in Dubai for nearly 13 years.
“Everything that we offer is driven by experiences, which is mapped to the special interests of the discerning traveller. It could be wildlife, photography, culture, art, emotion or adventure,” Mr Dadlani says.
“For example, we take our guests to see the curvature of the Earth, go stargazing in the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, go dune-bashing along the Atlantic Ocean in Namibia, make them see the Aurora Borealis with a National Geographic astrophysics expert, take them diving along with the flora and fauna in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador or fly them to Antarctica and then on to the South Pole.”
His list of favourite travel experiences includes driving a Harley-Davidson along the Garden Route in South Africa as well as deep diving with sharks in the continent, doing the Alpine route in New Zealand, driving along the Nordic Western seafront during the summer and polar bear-spotting on Canada’s Vancouver Island.
The company also recently organised a genealogical quest for a European family spanning three continents and 15 cities. Along the way, they stayed in private lodges, on exclusive islands and in opulent palaces.
Mr Dadlani lives in The Meadows, Dubai. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in the US. He also has a double major in international business and finance and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in New Delhi, India.
Did wealth feature in your childhood? What did you learn from it?
I had a very humble start. Both my parents were working, and we were a typical middle-class family in India. Then, my dad started a manufacturing business and single-handedly brought it up. I got a scholarship to go to the US because my family could not afford the degree then.
When I came back, I worked as a banker, and then, I took the plunge and followed my passion. I did not have the social network or the know-how of how to deal with UHNWIs and did not inherit anything. I started from my apartment 16 years ago. Everything that we have done is on our own. We've not borrowed a single penny. Lushescapes is a cash-positive company and we are in our scale-up phase now.
How did you first earn? What did your first job pay?
My first job as an intern at a bank paid me a salary of 12,000 Indian rupees ($140) per month, in 2004. My first full-time job was as a banker on a starting salary of $600. I grew up the ladder and resigned at the assistant vice president level in three years.
Any early financial jolts?
Because I did not have any business partners, I did everything on my own. The first seven to eight years were quite challenging because it was a bootstrapped entity. Along the way, we tried to scale up and once we had set up a foundation, Covid hit. We lost everything in terms of our revenue and margins, but we stood the ground. We did not fire anybody and had zero attrition. We kept our head high, borrowed some money for six months, and from that time onwards, there has been no looking back.
How do you increase your wealth?
I invest in property in the Indian cities of Hyderabad and Mumbai, a few UAE start-ups and some fixed income assets. It's a diversified portfolio. Most of the income that we generate is ploughed back into the business as we are still growing it. Because we have chosen consciously not to take the venture capital route or have a strategic partnership, it's still my money that's going back into the business to grow it.
Are you a spender or a saver?
A spender. I spend primarily on my ecosystem, by which, I mean, my family and my team. My second biggest expense would be my own travel. That's part of business because if I don't scout these experiences, then I'm not bringing that value proposition to a client. Even though the advent of technology is going to disrupt travel in some form, I think, luxury travel is here to stay because the personal element cannot be replicated by a tech-driven platform.
What has been your best investment?
If you were to look at the intrinsic value of the investment, that has been in realty projects, but if you look at the emotional value it would be ploughing money back into my business.
Any cherished purchases?
I just built my house in The Meadows last year and I am very proud of it. I am also a watch collector. But majority of my income goes into my travel, so I am more into experiences than material possessions.
Any financial advice for your younger self?
Be more resilient. Not every day is the same and there are going to be rainy days, but you need to ride the rocky waves with patience. There have been certain times in my life, especially during the Covid era, where I have taken hasty decisions to circumvent certain challenges. But in hindsight, if I were given a second chance, I would probably be more patient and think through my options before making a decision.
Any major financial milestones?
Business-wise, we wanted to touch the $10 million revenue mark, and we achieved it.
Personally, I don't look at how much cash I have in the bank. As long as I'm able to live a comfortable life and provide for the 10 to 12 families that are attached to me, that motivates me and gives me peace of mind.
What luxuries are important to you?
My biggest luxury spend is on travel experiences. What I preach to my clients, I indulge in all of them.
What are your financial goals?
It is to scale up the company to at least $20 million in the next two years and open distribution centres in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Russia and Qatar.
More on Quran memorisation:
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wes%20Ball%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Owen%20Teague%2C%20Freya%20Allen%2C%20Kevin%20Durand%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS
Price: base / as tested: From Dh632,225
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 540hp @ 8,250rpm
Torque: 540Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L / 100km
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Big%20Ape%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20LucasArts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20PlayStation%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
THE DETAILS
Deadpool 2
Dir: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Four stars
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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%3Cp%3E1.%20Labour%20productivity%20is%20lower%20than%20the%20average%20of%20the%20developed%20economies%2C%20particularly%20in%20the%20non-tradable%20industries.%3Cbr%3E2.%20The%20low%20level%20of%20basic%20skills%20among%20workers%20and%20the%20high%20level%20of%20inequality%20between%20those%20with%20various%20skills.%3Cbr%3E3.%20Low%20employment%20rates%2C%20particularly%20among%20Arab%20women%20and%20Ultra-Othodox%20Jewish%20men.%3Cbr%3E4.%20A%20lack%20of%20basic%20knowledge%20required%20for%20integration%20into%20the%20labour%20force%2C%20due%20to%20the%20lack%20of%20core%20curriculum%20studies%20in%20schools%20for%20Ultra-Othodox%20Jews.%3Cbr%3E5.%20A%20need%20to%20upgrade%20and%20expand%20physical%20infrastructure%2C%20particularly%20mass%20transit%20infrastructure.%3Cbr%3E6.%20The%20poverty%20rate%20at%20more%20than%20double%20the%20OECD%20average.%3Cbr%3E7.%20Population%20growth%20of%20about%202%20per%20cent%20per%20year%2C%20compared%20to%200.6%20per%20cent%20OECD%20average%20posing%20challenge%20for%20fiscal%20policy%20and%20underpinning%20pressure%20on%20education%2C%20health%20care%2C%20welfare%20housing%20and%20physical%20infrastructure%2C%20which%20will%20increase%20in%20the%20coming%20years.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands
50-man Royal Rumble
Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe
SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos
Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho
John Cena v Triple H
Matches to be announced
WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, United States Championship and the Cruiserweight Championship are all due to be defended
Visa changes give families fresh hope
Foreign workers can sponsor family members based solely on their income
Male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions that include a minimum salary of Dh 4,000 or Dh 3,000 plus accommodation.
Attested original marriage certificate, birth certificate of the child, ejari or rental contract, labour contract, salary certificate must be submitted to the government authorised typing centre to complete the sponsorship process
In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any profession related to the medical sector and her monthly salary is at least Dh 10,000 or Dh 8,000 plus accommodation.
In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in the above categories she can get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than Dh 10,000 and with a special permission from the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai.
To sponsor parents, a worker should earn Dh20,000 or Dh19,000 a month, plus a two-bedroom accommodation
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinFlx%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202021%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Amr%20Yussif%20(co-founder%20and%20CEO)%2C%20Mattieu%20Capelle%20(co-founder%20and%20CTO)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%20in%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20size%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%241.5m%20pre-seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Venture%20capital%20-%20Y%20Combinator%2C%20500%20Global%2C%20Dubai%20Future%20District%20Fund%2C%20Fox%20Ventures%2C%20Vector%20Fintech.%20Also%20a%20number%20of%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Name: Maitha Qambar
Age: 24
Emirate: Abu Dhabi
Education: Master’s Degree
Favourite hobby: Reading
She says: “Everyone has a purpose in life and everyone learns from their experiences”
One in nine do not have enough to eat
Created in 1961, the World Food Programme is pledged to fight hunger worldwide as well as providing emergency food assistance in a crisis.
One of the organisation’s goals is the Zero Hunger Pledge, adopted by the international community in 2015 as one of the 17 Sustainable Goals for Sustainable Development, to end world hunger by 2030.
The WFP, a branch of the United Nations, is funded by voluntary donations from governments, businesses and private donations.
Almost two thirds of its operations currently take place in conflict zones, where it is calculated that people are more than three times likely to suffer from malnutrition than in peaceful countries.
It is currently estimated that one in nine people globally do not have enough to eat.
On any one day, the WFP estimates that it has 5,000 lorries, 20 ships and 70 aircraft on the move.
Outside emergencies, the WFP provides school meals to up to 25 million children in 63 countries, while working with communities to improve nutrition. Where possible, it buys supplies from developing countries to cut down transport cost and boost local economies.
South Africa v India schedule
Tests: 1st Test Jan 5-9, Cape Town; 2nd Test Jan 13-17, Centurion; 3rd Test Jan 24-28, Johannesburg
ODIs: 1st ODI Feb 1, Durban; 2nd ODI Feb 4, Centurion; 3rd ODI Feb 7, Cape Town; 4th ODI Feb 10, Johannesburg; 5th ODI Feb 13, Port Elizabeth; 6th ODI Feb 16, Centurion
T20Is: 1st T20I Feb 18, Johannesburg; 2nd T20I Feb 21, Centurion; 3rd T20I Feb 24, Cape Town
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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OIL PLEDGE
At the start of Russia's invasion, IEA member countries held 1.5 billion barrels in public reserves and about 575 million barrels under obligations with industry, according to the agency's website. The two collective actions of the IEA this year of 62.7 million barrels, which was agreed on March 1, and this week's 120 million barrels amount to 9 per cent of total emergency reserves, it added.
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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
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
