Category Archives: Hotels

HSMAI Middle East concludes 6th Annual ROC Commercial Strategy Conference,

The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Middle East successfully concluded its 6th Annual ROC Commercial Strategy Conference, the last of the Global, Commercial Strategy Conferences after London, Toronto, Singapore, India, and Korea. The event’s theme was around Connect Evolve Lead. Connect: Phil Bedford, MSc, Asentiv Worldwide, shared an inspiring keynote on networking in the hotel industry. Evolve: Steven van Belleghem, a Customer Experience Enthusiast spoke about the story of evolution and the infusion of genuine Customer Culture. Lead: Michael Dominguez, Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) spoke about The Importance of Culture, Understanding the importance of humility and starting with building the right team members. The HSMAI conference was a remarkable gathering of minds, highlighted by global keynote speakers whose insights were both relevant and thought-provoking. The conference also featured engaging roundtable discussions that fostered dynamic exchanges of ideas providing attendees with key take-home messages on the latest trends and strategies in the industry, emphasizing innovation, customer engagement, and future-forward thinking. The ROC Star Awards held during the second day of the conference, acknowledged three top talents nominated by their peers for their exemplary achievements and influence in the hospitality sector. Nine nominations were selected by the advisory boards from a total of 41 submissions. Outside of UAE, 50% of submissions this year were received from KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, and Iraq making this a truly regional awards program acknowledging the efforts, innovation and performance of our on-property executives. The 2023 ROC Star winners are Linda Mwaffak, Commercial Director, Conrad Dubai, Abhay Bishnoi, Director of Revenue Management at Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Laurence Desirée Klett, Director of Marketing Communications & Sustainability, Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. Each winner received …

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Luxury Maldives Resorts target GCC travellers for a tropical festive season

Pulse Hotels & Resorts is targeting the GCC market with a range of unique and exclusive experiences curated for the regions’ avid traveller base, available across its luxury resorts for the festive season. Working with its partners at dnata, the hospitality group is unveiling exclusive offers and a range of experiences across its resorts – Kandima Maldives, Nova Maldives and The Nautilus Maldives – for a tropical festive season on Maldivian private isles for 2023/24. Highlights include: Nova Maldives: Exclusive winter offer with dnata Travel In partnership with dnata Travel, the UAE’s longest serving travel provider, Nova has launched an all-inclusive holiday package with exclusive benefits for dnata’s travellers across the GCC, available this winter. In addition to the extensive range of activities and dining available to guests at Nova, dnata guests can enjoy the following, complimentary benefits: a VIP arrival experience with Manta Comfort Lounge Access, a Sunset Cruise, and enhanced in-villa minibar, to make the most of the stylish and spacious overwater and beach villas included in their stay. Nova’s ‘Aqua Utopia’-themed festive celebrations begin on 22 December 2023 with a Christmas Tree Lighting and Barefoot White Party. On December 24, a Christmas Eve Cocktail Party and Gala Dinner are included in a guests’ stay. Festivities continue through to December 31, with highlights including a Full Moon Dinner & Party (26 December) and a New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party (31 December). GCC travellers can make the most of up to 26% savings applicable on stays over five nights starting from 24 December 2023 to 10 January 2024. Rates start from AED 3,573 per accommodation per night. For bookings, access www.nova-maldives.com Kandima Maldives: ‘Holoworld’ events starting from 22nd  December A …

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Stella Stays reveals 81% of residents and guests are Millennials and GenZ

Stella Stays revealed that 81% of residents and guests are Millennials or GenZ according to their latest data showcasing trends in purchasing power and behavioural profiles from Gen Z and Millennials renters amidst real estate industry shifts, with this audience base constituting 46% of the global population and growing. The company’s data showcases that 81% of residents and guests at Stella Stays residences are Millennials and Gen Z, the next-generation renters. With the steadfast rising cost of becoming a homeowner, Millennials and GenZ often turn to renting, despite it being a tedious and inconvenient process by traditional means, rife with inconsistencies, untrustworthy rates, lack of flexibility and limited experiences. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by this demographic, Stella Stays redefines renting from a commodity to a horizontally integrated experience that appeals to the same target audience as other tech-enabled services like Careem, Talabat, Apple and Netflix. This is achieved by offering a tech-driven flexible living platform including furnished apartments with versatile payment options including cryptocurrency, designer interiors, prime locations, community spaces and year-round modern services – mirroring the convenience of a hotel in a residential space and eradicating the inconveniences synonymous with traditional rentals. The tech-savvy, trendy and well-traveled next-gen renters view living as an experience rather than a commodity. They prefer features such as technology, indoor and outdoor community spaces, and enhanced design facets, and Stella Stays listened. From smart home systems to design upgrades with modern touches, the company prioritizes modern aesthetics and functionality. The residences’ appeal extends beyond the physical features; Stella Stays strategically creates living spaces that are social media friendly and invests in design upgrades to captivate the “Instagram-able” lifestyle of its major audience. Collaborating …

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Tilal Liwa Abu Dhabi wins Best Desert Resort title at Arabian Travel Awards 2023

Tilal Liwa Abu Dhabi wins ‘Best Desert Resort’ title at the sixth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards 2023.  Diana Kornilakis, General Manager, Tilal Liwa Hotel shared, “The team of Arabian Travel Awards did an amazing job, the planning and execution of the event was spotless. Winning the Arabian Travel Award is a validation of hard work, dedication and excellence in the travel industry. It is a pride to be recognized and appreciated by peers and industry experts. Winning an award is a motivation to continuously strive for excellence. It inspires to maintain high standards and push boundaries in the hospitality field.”  

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Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi slated to open by Q1 2024

Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi is slated to open by Q1 2024 in Cairo, Egypt. Overlooking the River Nile, Hilton Cairo Nile Maadi will be located within five kilometres of Cairo’s most popular attractions, including the Church of the Virgin Mary, Hanging Church, the Museum of Egyptian Civilization, and the Coptic Museum. Cairo International Airport CAI is 28 kilometres away. The hotel will offer several restaurants and bars, a full-service spa, an outdoor pool, and a fitness centre.

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Jumeirah Group to expand to Asia, Europe and US

Dubai’s Jumeirah Group announced its plans to expand its brand presence in Asia, Europe and US whilst doubling its portfolio by 2030, building on its strength in the UAE and further expanding into key global markets. Plans include upweighting its presence in Europe, leveraging its strong base in London, Capri, Mallorca and Geneva to acquire luxury properties in other major cities as well as exploring opportunities in the US. The Group will also look to capitalise on the strong growth potential of the Asia Pacific market to extend its current reach beyond its properties in China, Bali and the Maldives. The growth plans are part of Jumeirah’s Mission 2030 strategy which will also see an evolution of the brand with a renewed focus on delivering distinct guest experiences and new ancillary businesses to complement its ultra luxury positioning.  Launching in 2024, this will include the integration of wellness into the entire guest journey based on the principles of lifelong learning, longevity and inclusivity, as well as a re-imagined family experience with a focus on education, self-discovery, environmental stewardship, cultural immersion and the arts. Katerina Giannouka, Chief Executive Officer of Jumeirah Group, commented: “The luxury landscape continues to evolve in response to consumer demand, particularly from younger millennial and Gen Z audiences, and as a brand we need to continually innovate to stay relevant.  Mission 2030 is a strategic plan that is designed to evolve the Jumeirah brand from a regional success story to a global leader in ultra luxury hospitality. It focuses on four key areas – international expansion, brand and product development, operational excellence and ancillary business – with an overall aim to sustainably double the size of our …

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Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour slated to open by Q1 2024

Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour is slated to open by Q1 2024 with 96 suites and two penthouses. The highly anticipated opening is part of the Bahrain Financial Harbour, a commercial waterfront development located in Bahrain Bay. With 96 suites and two penthouses, the property will provide an exceptional location for hotel guests and residents to enjoy spectacular coastal views of the Arabian Gulf while being conveniently located in the heart of the capital city’s up-and-coming business and residential district.

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Swissotel Al Murooj Dubai wins Best 5 Star Business Hotel at Arabian Travel Awards 2023

Swissotel Al Murooj Dubai won ‘Best 5 Star Business Hotel’ at the sixth edition of the most coveted industry awards, the Arabian Travel Awards 2023. Amro Nagah – General Manager – Swissotel Al Murooj shared, “This award, gives me the confidence to go back to my team and celebrate with them and make sure that we provide a superior service to every individual, which again gives us self confidence with this prestigious award and we are really honoured to have won it.”

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WTTC and Sustainable Hospitality Alliance unveils stamp for hotels to verify sustainable practices

It was announced on the sidelines of COP 28 that WTTC and Sustainable Hospitality Alliance will launch ‘Hotel Sustainability Basics’ which is a verification (or stamp) for hotels and lodging accommodation to meet 9 out of 12 criteria which includes water, energy and treatment of employees to name a few in order to obtain this certification. This is aimed mainly at small and medium hotels as the bigger names already have their own schemes. Julia Simpson, President and CEO WTTC shared, ‘ I’m proud to say that with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance we have launched ‘Hotel Sustainability Basics stamp’. It is a verification that a hotel or a lodging accommodation that is used by tourists has met a certain standard and the reason we’re doing that is some of the big companies like Hilton’s and Intercontinental, the Marriotts have their very sophisticated sustainability schemes that look at water as well as other energy uses, but 80% of our sector we think are small and medium hotels. They don’t necessarily have access to the know-how or the resources. Some are very advanced but not all of them do so, hence, we wanted to create something created by the industry, for the industry so we reached out to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and created a stamp called the basics and part of that is a hotel will have to meet nine out of 12 criteria in different categories. One of them is water the other is energy use another is how they work with their suppliers and their communities and another really important part is how they treat their employees so it’s a really useful tool but it’s only a stepping stone …

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Future Hospitality Summit returns to Saudi Arabia from 29th April to 1st May 2024

After the record-breaking 2023 edition of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia, which saw over 1,100 delegates from 35+ countries attend, the Kingdom’s most influential hospitality investment event returns to Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh from 29 April to 1 May 2024. Launched in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s G20 Secretariat in 2020, FHS Saudi Arabia brings together the hospitality investment community’s industry leaders and decision-makers to discuss development, investment, entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, and human capital with insights on the continued growth of the Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism sectors. With the support of host sponsors Al Faisaliah Hotel and Al Khozama Investment, this will be the seventh industry conference organised by The Bench for the Saudi market. “We are thrilled to welcome back Al Faisaliah Hotel and Al Khozama Investment as our host sponsors after the resounding success of this year’s event at the iconic Al Faisaliah Hotel,” said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench. “The objectives of FHS Saudi Arabia are strategically aligned with Vision 2030, and our carefully curated programme will focus on the development and sustainable growth of the hospitality industry in Saudi Arabia, the adoption of tech, innovation and entrepreneurship in the sector, as well as investment and job creation opportunities.” FHS Saudi Arabia 2024 will address the Kingdom’s latest developments and the industry’s hottest topics under the theme “Invest in Tomorrow: Today, Together,” with conference tracks focused on hospitality investment, industry entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and human capital. “The FHS Saudi Arabia Advisory Board convened in Riyadh last month to discuss and shape the event programme and we look forward to developing their invaluable input on topics and speakers into a thought-provoking three-day agenda,” said Tanja …

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