News

Amsaan Accessible Tours Launches New Website And App

The pioneering inclusive travel company hopes to revolutionize tourism for Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors to the United Arab Emirates.

Published

10 months ago

November 6, 2023

Nour Nasir

amsaan accessible tours launches new website and app

Amsaan Accessible Tours (AAT), an inclusive UAE tourism company for Deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers, has launched a new website and mobile app designed to revolutionize travel for the 1.5 billion individuals globally who experience hearing impairment.

Deaf tourists frequently encounter language barriers and limited communication when booking trips or traveling overseas, and the new Amsaan Accessible Tours website aims to fix this with a user-friendly interface fully adapted for sign language. The site serves as a platform to book tours and connect with sign language-fluent AAT staff, and offers videos in British and International sign language, allowing Deaf users to access travel information more easily.

After booking a tour, tourists can use a deaf-friendly mobile app for on-the-go assistance. Travelers can use the app to initiate direct messages for sign language support and access sign language interpreters via video, ensuring effective communication in various situations. The app also facilitates easy connection with guides and tour information and features an accessibility map highlighting restaurants, souvenir shops, and more.

Vitalii Potapchuk, Co-founder of Amsaan Project, commented: “Accessibility and inclusivity are not mere buzzwords, but the very foundation of Amsaan Accessible Tours. To promote the UAE as one of the top 10 global tourist destinations, we have meticulously designed the Amsaan Tours website and mobile app to ensure that Deaf travelers can plan, book, and savor their journeys without encountering any communication barriers”.

Also Read: Meet The Desert Shrub That Absorbs Water From The Air

Meanwhile, Majed Al Bloushi, Relationship Manager at AAT, said: “Being an Emirati and a Deaf employee at AAT, I am proud to be part of an organization breaking down barriers and making the UAE a truly inclusive travel destination. This collaboration showcases our commitment to making tourism accessible to everyone, including Deaf travelers, and it’s a step toward making the UAE more diverse and inclusive”.

For more information, visit the Amsaan Accessible Tours website or download the Amsaan Tours mobile application on iOS and Android.

News

Paymob Extends Series B Funding To $72M Amid Continued Growth

The financial services provider has secured an extra $22 million after strong performance in its core market of Egypt.

Published

22 hours ago

September 12, 2024

Nour Nasir

paymob extends series b funding to $72 million amid continued growth

Leading financial services provider Paymob has secured an additional $22 million in a funding extension, bringing its Series B total to $72 million.

The funding was spearheaded by EBRD Venture Capital, with support from Endeavor Catalyst. Existing backers such as PayPal Ventures, BII, FMO, A15, Nclude, and Helios Digital Ventures also participated, reaffirming their confidence in Paymob’s business model and potential in the regional fintech industry.

This extension comes on the back of Paymob’s strong performance in its core market of Egypt, where it has experienced 6x revenue growth since the initial Series B in Q2 2022. With the Series B extension and continued profitability in Egypt, Paymob is well-positioned to further its expansion strategy across the MENA region.

Islam Shawky, Co-founder and CEO of Paymob, commented: “We are very excited by our strong prospects in Egypt – where we hold a market-leading position – and the significant traction experienced in the UAE since launching operations there. This funding will help Paymob fully capitalize on the momentum in our established markets, as we accelerate our GCC roll-out. We remain committed to creating cutting-edge infrastructure enabling SMEs across the region to thrive in the digital economy and are proud of our continued impact”.

Also Read: Zoho Expands Qatar Operations & Releases New Survey Data

The expansion into GCC markets has been driven by Paymob’s initial Series B funding of $50 million, raised in 2022 and led by Kora Capital, PayPal Ventures, and Clay Point. The investment fueled Paymob’s growth, allowing it to launch its mobile app in 2023 and grow its merchant base by 3.5 times, now serving nearly 350,000 merchants across MENA.

Paymob has also expanded its payment acceptance suite to offer 50 payment methods through its gateway, POS terminals, and the Paymob app, providing the region’s most comprehensive fintech solution. The company recently introduced embedded checkout services for Shopify and WooCommerce, further demonstrating its commitment to empowering small and medium businesses across the region.