WhatsApp Launches New AI Tools for Businesses

Meta’s WhatsApp app has announced the launch of AI tools to help businesses.

KEY FACTS

Meta launches its first targeted ad program for businesses on WhatsApp.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the new tools in a video that was shown during a conference in Brazil.
The innovation marks a change for WhatsApp, the encrypted messaging service that excels in the privacy of communication between users and avoids the use of targeted advertising tools that are part of other Meta products such as Facebook and Instagram.
During the conference, Meta also unveiled a new AI chatbot that answers business inquiries directly in chat. The chatbot will help users with common queries, such as finding catalogues or consulting about opening hours.
With the innovation, Meta aims to monetize its popular chat service.
The social network has been rolling out in-app commerce and payment features for several years, including “business messaging” options that companies can use to serve customers and send promotional materials to people who have shared their phone numbers with them.
New AI tools will analyze behaviour on Facebook and Instagram to send targeted messages to those users who would receive them, provided customers use the same phone number on their accounts.

THE BIG NUMBER

Approximately $22 billion. This is the amount for which the WhatsApp app was acquired by Meta in 2014. Globally, the app has over 2 billion users and is Meta’s largest app in that regard. However, despite the service’s popularity, WhatsApp has so far contributed only a small fraction of Meta’s total revenue.

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Tourism Recovery And Expansion: Larnaca Poised For New Growth

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 6, 2026

Strong Momentum Ahead Under Cyprus EU Presidency

Larnaca celebrated its most successful tourism season in recent years and is gearing up to build on that success in the coming year. With the added advantage of Cyprus holding the EU Council Presidency during the first half of the year, industry leaders are confident that the city’s tourism performance will soar even higher.

Robust International Inflows and Market Shifts

Marios Polyviou, Chairman of PASYXE Larnaca, highlighted notable increases in visitor arrivals from Israel, Poland, and Germany, while growth from the United Kingdom remained more modest. “Early indicators for this year are positive, with progressive booking trends that suggest 2026 will also mark another successful tourism season,” Polyviou noted. His remarks underscore strong optimism within the local industry, laying the groundwork for a continued upward trajectory in visitor numbers.

Impressive December Performance and Strategic Outreach

Following the trend of recent years, December saw hotel occupancy rates climb to approximately 70%, a significant performance boost over 2024. The sustained uptick in demand was evident in the days leading up to the New Year, with both international and local tourists—particularly Cypriot visitors drawn by attractive hotel offers—bolstering occupancy figures. Leading markets include not only Germany and Israel but also the Scandinavian countries and the United Kingdom.

International Promotions and Forthcoming Exhibitions

Local tourism authorities are currently focused on the international stage, preparing for participation in major tourism exhibitions. PASYXE and ETAP Larnaca will showcase Larnaca’s offerings at the upcoming Berlin exhibition, one of the largest alongside London’s event. This campaign will be further amplified through targeted social media outreach, reinforcing the city’s reputation as a top tourism destination.

Ambitious Hotel Developments Fueling Future Growth

Looking ahead to 2026, two significant hotel projects are set to transform Larnaca’s hospitality landscape. One is a boutique hotel in the heart of the city’s Agios Lazarou district, and the other is the luxurious Palm Beach development, valued at €100 million and scheduled for completion by October 2026. This mixed-use project will encompass a five-star hotel with 164 rooms, upscale ground-floor residences, a tower of apartments, diverse dining and entertainment facilities, a wellness center, modern conference spaces, and underground parking. The portfolio also includes the Waterfront Residence—a four-story building with 20 apartments—as well as the Seabreeze Tower, a ten-floor residential building behind the hotel, and The Beach House Residences featuring luxury villas.

Expanding Hospitality Offerings

According to data from the Larnaca Regional Administration Authority processed by ETAP Larnaca, an additional 27 tourism units, predominantly through the conversion of existing buildings, are expected in the coming years. When combined with the two new hotel projects, these developments will contribute nearly 900 additional beds to the region’s portfolio, reinforcing Larnaca’s position as a burgeoning tourism hotspot.

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