Companies In Riyadh Shift To Remote Work Amid Strait Of Hormuz Tensions

Heightened Precautions Amid Uncertainty

Several Western and Saudi companies in Riyadh have advised employees to work from home amid rising tensions linked to a U.S. deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz. The measures follow increased security concerns in the region as threats related to Iran intensify.

Implications For Riyadh’s Financial And Corporate Hubs

Companies sent advisories via email and messaging platforms to staff working in major business districts, including King Abdullah Financial District, Faisaliah Tower, Business Gate, and Laysen Valley. Affected offices include those of global technology companies such as Microsoft and Apple, as well as Saudi institutions, including the central bank.

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Geostrategic Concerns And Military Alerts

The shift to remote work follows reported threats by Iran targeting U.S. technology infrastructure in the region. These developments come amid ongoing tensions linked to U.S. and Israeli military activity. Gulf states have faced drone and missile attacks since late February, raising concerns over potential escalation affecting civilian and strategic infrastructure.

Defensive Measures And Regional Resilience

Saudi defense systems intercepted seven ballistic missiles targeting the Eastern Region, according to official statements. Debris was reported near energy infrastructure. Iranian Fars news agency reported that a petrochemical facility in Jubail industrial city was also targeted.

Looking Ahead

Companies and government officials continue to assess risks linked to regional security developments. Remote work policies remain in place as organizations adjust operations in response to ongoing tensions.

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Cyprus Expects More French Visitors In 2027 As Air Capacity Expands

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 18, 2026

Cyprus expects more French visitors in 2027 as airlines increase capacity between the two countries, Tourism Deputy Minister Kostas Koumis said after meetings with tour operators in Paris.

France, one of Cyprus’ key tourism markets, has had a difficult 2026. French arrivals fell 46% year over year to 8,453 in August, from 15,663 a year earlier, according to the Statistical Service of Cyprus (Cystat). August arrivals were also nearly 50% below the 16,798 recorded in the same month of 2024.

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Overall, Cyprus received 2.82 million tourist arrivals between January and August, down 7% from the same period in 2025.

Air Connectivity Supports 2027 Outlook

Koumis discussed the 2027 outlook with senior executives from tour operators offering Cyprus holidays during the IFTM Top Resa travel trade fair in Paris.

Higher air capacity between France and Cyprus was a key focus of the talks. Participants also discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the French market and Cyprus’ efforts to adapt its tourism offering to French travelers.

“The French market is undoubtedly an extremely important market for our country’s tourism,” Koumis said, adding that France had regained importance only a few years ago and still had room to grow.

Improved air connectivity will be an important factor in that expansion, according to Koumis. “It is now clear that air connectivity between France and Cyprus is improving significantly, which is a basic prerequisite for the further growth of the market,” he said.

Cyprus Promotes Tourism And Regional Cooperation

Koumis attended the opening of IFTM Top Resa at the invitation of French Tourism Minister Serge Papin, who later visited the Cyprus stand. Held from Sept. 15 to 17 at Paris Porte de Versailles, the event brought together more than 32,000 tourism professionals representing 177 destinations and 1,650 brands, according to organizers.

During his visit, Koumis also met Egyptian Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy. Cyprus and Egypt reaffirmed their tourism cooperation and discussed opportunities to strengthen ties further.

French media interviews covered Cyprus’ tourism offering, infrastructure and services, along with efforts to develop specialized tourism products. Regional instability weighed on arrivals in 2026, particularly during the spring, although the decline narrowed over the summer.

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