Tag Archives: hotels

Ishraq Hospitality announced the signing of a Hospitality Management Agreement (HMA) with Rekan Group, marking a significant milestone in their strategic expansion plans. The agreement entails the management of an exceptional Crowne Plaza Hotel in the vibrant city of Batumi, Georgia, further solidifying Ishraq Hospitality’s commitment to delivering unique experiences worldwide. The new property, located by the beach promenade in Batumi and offering great views of the waters, boasts 150 smartly appointed rooms, two restaurants, meeting facilities, a fitness club and a pool, ensuring guests experience supreme comfort, convenience, and entertainment. In addition, Ishraq Hospitality will also oversee the hotel management of Batumi View Hotel Apartments, a 240-room hotel apartment. These developments are poised to enhance the hospitality landscape in Batumi and contribute to the city’s growing reputation as a tourist destination. Rekan Group, a renowned investment company in the region, brings invaluable expertise and a deep understanding of the Batumi market to the partnership. The collaboration between Ishraq Hospitality, IHG Hotels & Resorts – owner of the Crowne Plaza brand and Rekan Group will lead to drive significant economic growth and provide new employment opportunities. A signing ceremony took place for these new properties at Crowne Plaza Jumeriah in Dubai on 20th July,2023 in the presence of chief guests and high profile delegations. Ahmed Ali Azeez Rekani, Co-Owner at Rekan Group said “We are delighted to join forces with Ishraq Hospitality and IHG Hotels & Resorts. This partnership represents a momentous step forward for our organisation as we contribute to the development of Batumi’s hospitality sector. With Ishraq’s proven track record and our shared vision for excellence, we are confident that these new properties will become the preferred choice …

Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (“ARTIC”) and Element Hotels  announced the opening of Element West Bay by Westin. Element Hotels are designed for today’s healthy, active traveller who seeks to maintain the balance of their daily routine while away on the road. Offering many of the comforts of home, Element caters to those looking to stay for both the short and long-term. The hotel offers a fresh approach for the longer stay market with its thoughtfully designed accommodation and contemporary, nature-inspired spaces. Element Hotels has redefined the longer stay experience with  a  design  philosophy  that encourages guests to recharge and find their focus. The hotel’s 180 spacious studio, one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments offer views of both the city and the Arabian Gulf, while being exquisitely furnished with signature Westin Heavenly® beds, a large workstation, and a fully equipped modern and spacious kitchenette. The apartments also feature  spacious  living  and dining areas. An ideal place for business travelers, long stay guests, and holidaymakers, the hotel is five minutes walking distance from Doha’s best beach clubs and provides easy access to key business and financial districts. This includes destination hubs such as Doha Exhibition Convention Center and the City Center Mall. At Element West Bay, guests will be energized with a food and beverage menu that prioritizes fresh and healthy ingredients. A complimentary Rise® breakfast starts the  day  by  offering morning staples as well as low-fat options and fruit smoothies, followed by all-day dining at Californian food culture concept ShiKiMiKi. In addition, the Restore Grab & Go menu, available 24/7, includes a wide variety of fresh ingredients and on-the-go meals, from wholesome salads and sandwiches to yoghurt and snacks and …

Courtyard by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of 31 brands, today announced the opening of Courtyard by Marriott Jubail, the first for the brand in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Strategically located in Majd Square in Jubail City, Courtyard by Marriott Jubail is set to become the unparalleled destination of choice for both business and leisure travelers visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Courtyard by Marriott Jubail’s General Manager, Nabil Khamaiseh said, “We are delighted to see the opening of the new Courtyard by Marriott Jubail. The new hotel will bring comfort and convenience to the Eastern Province with our contemporary accommodations, exceptional dining options, and facilities.” CEO Majd Investment Co. – Hotel Owner, Ibrahim Ali Almajdouie added, “Through the highly acclaimed Courtyard by Marriott brand, we are looking forward to providing an outstanding experience for a broad audience of travelers and guests at Courtyard by Marriott Jubail.” Offering 165 guestrooms, including 34 suites, the new build property features contemporary design, lighting and a relaxing color palette. Courtyard by Marriott Jubail offers two dining outlets, the Kitchen and Barista provides an all-day dining selection of international cuisine curated and served through buffet-style and bespoke à la carte options. Whether seated indoors or enjoying the ambiance of the outdoor terrace, guests are treated to panoramic views of the cityscape and the bustling Majd Square. For those seeking a quick delight, the Coffee Bar serves specialty coffees and on-the-go bites throughout the day. Courtyard by Marriott Jubail offers three flexible meeting rooms, perfect for hosting business and social events. The versatile ballroom can effortlessly transform into two distinct spaces, ensuring unparalleled flexibility for any occasion. For those seeking wellness …

The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) and 19th edition of Arabian Hotel Investment Conference will take place in Abu Dhabi as FHS-AHIC from 25-27 September 2023 with TravTalk Middle East as media partners. This will bring together senior hospitality leaders, owners and investors and  feature three days of dealmaking and impactful industry discussions under the theme ‘Focus on Investment’. Organised by The Bench, FHS brings together the Middle East and Africa’s industry leaders for discussions, deals and insight on the continued growth of the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. Leaders from some of the world’s most dynamic hospitality brands who have confirmed to speak include Accor Chairman & CEO Sébastian Bazin, Camil Yazbeck, Global Chief Development Officer of Accor; Guy Hutchinson, President & CEO of Rotana; Kevin Jacobs, Chief Financial Officer and President, Global Development for Hilton, and Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Global CEO of JLL Hotels & Hospitality. Among the names representing the real estate, asset management, consulting, banking and investment community are Mariam Al Musharekh, Executive Director of Human Resources at Miral Group; Raed Kuhail, Executive Director of Digital & Technology at Miral Group; Giuliano Gasparini, Head of Hospitality Asset Management at Wasl Group; Dale Qi Shen, Vice President, Director – Real Estate Structuring & Advisory of Mashreq Bank; Andrew Gilmore, Principal Economist at The Economist Group, and Nick van Marken, Managing Director van Marken Consulting. Stephen Sackur, Presenter of HARDTalk, will return to FHS as MC for the event. Technology will once again be at the forefront of the FHS 2023 programme with leaders discussing the future of the hospitality and travel tech stack. Confirmed speakers include Cenk Sidar, CEO and Co-Founder of Enquire IA. “We are excited to announce …

Radisson Hotel Group continues its ambitious growth in the region with the signing of seven new hotels, adding over 1,400 rooms to its MENA portfolio. The new hotels expand the Group’s brands, spanning from upscale to premium luxury lifestyle. The group will be expanding its resort presence in Casablanca and Saidia in Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia and South Africa along with the Group’s first hotel openings in Reunion Island and Ghana. Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group comments: “Thanks to the relevance of our brands and trust of our owners, we have a successful growth momentum in Africa thus far, this year. With the continent remaining a focus market for us, we are committed to further contribute to the African hospitality industry, providing more possibilities to our guests and employment opportunities to the local communities.’’

The First Group is extending its presence in the GCC with the launch of a new dedicated hotel management division, which will provide third-party management services to owners and investors looking to maximise the commercial potential of their hotel and hospitality assets. With a proven track record of launching and operating some of the UAE’s most successful upscale hotels and homegrown F&B brands, The First Group will leverage its proven expertise to offer best-in-class services and solutions to maximise the revenue-generating potential of clients’ assets. “We’re proud to launch our new third-party hotel management business and are committed to setting the benchmark for excellence in one of the world’s top hospitality markets. Our goal is to ensure that every property we manage operates to its maximum potential, remains adaptable to the latest market trends, and delivers exceptional guest experiences and strong financial returns for our partners,” said Rob Burns, CEO of The First Group. The launch of this dynamic new operation coincides with The First Group being appointed to manage the prestigious ZOYA Health and Wellbeing resort in Al Zorah, Ajman. ZOYA, which is the region’s first fully integrated wellness resort, offers a unique and holistic approach to mind and body rejuvenation. The agreement reflects The First Group’s commitment to expanding its portfolio of upscale hotels and lifestyle destinations while providing exceptional experiences to its guests and strong returns to its partners. “ZOYA Health and Wellbeing Resort marks our 17th management agreement in the region. We are truly excited to bring our all-encompassing hospitality management approach to the wellness sector. Our team of highly experienced property managers, hotel operations and F&B professionals work in sync to elevate the performance of …

IHG® Hotels & Resorts signed a Master Development Agreement (MDA) with Tashyid for Hotel Operations, which will see the development of 12 hotels and 2,500 keys under the Holiday Inn Express brand across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. With Ministry of Tourism encouraging such investments in the Kingdom, the signing took place in the presence Mr. Mahmoud Abdulhadi, Deputy Minister for Destination Enablement. The agreement will allow IHG to expand and diversify its mainstream offering across Saudi Arabia, in line with the demand being created by initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030. As a world-renowned brand, Holiday Inn Express champions simple, smart travel by providing a launch pad for guests to make their connection and is highly suitable and well-positioned for new-age smart travellers visiting Saudi Arabia across business, leisure, and meetings segments, including Saudi’s biggest and growing demographic of millennials and Generation Z travellers. As part of the agreement, IHG has also signed the first Holiday Inn Express hotel with Tashyid for Hotels Operations Limited which will debut the brand in Jeddah by June 2025. Marking a key milestone for the brand in the Kingdom, the 300-room hotel will be located on Al Madinah Road, one of the busiest areas in the city. Providing a best-in-class experience, guest rooms at Holiday Inn Express Jeddah will feature amenities such as high-speed WiFi, smart TVs, premium bedding, and pillow options to ensure guests have a restful stay. The hotel will also offer signature complimentary ‘Express Start Breakfast’, speedy check-in, and power showers to ensure guests are recharged for the day. Known for its success in the upper-midscale segment and understanding of the ‘Next Gen Smart traveller’, Holiday Inn Express hotels in Saudi …

Big data is having a transformative effect on hospitality across the Middle East and beyond. However, leading hoteliers speaking on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023, which will run at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) until Thursday 4 May, emphasised that human intervention remains essential if owners and operators wish to derive genuine value from the information being gathered. ‘Hospitality Debate: What More Can Big Data Unlock?’ featured a range of expert insights into the power of data to improve guest experiences within the Middle East’s hospitality sector. Moderated by Paul Clifford, Group Editor – Hospitality & Design at ITP Media Group, the session saw Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance; Tommy Lai, Chief Executive Officer at General Hotel Management Pte Ltd; Sandeep Walia, Chief Operations Officer – Middle East at Marriott; and Nicolas Huss, CEO of Hotelbeds, take to the ATM Global Stage to share their views. Commenting on advancements in the hospitality sector’s data capabilities over the past decade, General Hotel Management Pte Ltd’s Lai said: “It used to be you’d need a lot of people for analysis, but now, you can collect data and AI will decipher it for you. Big data and AI are evening the playing field between small groups and larger brands.” Speaking on the importance of interpretation, Marriott’s Walia said: “This technology can help guests to narrow down the hotels they would like to stay in,” noting that big data – when used in combination with AI – can help to identify the best options for customers. “But ultimately, guests have to connect with us to make the booking, so the balance between AI and the human touch is …

In her first media briefing ahead of the start of Arabian Travel Market, the new CEO of Jumeirah Group, Katerina Giannouka, shared plans for an evolution of the Jumeirah brand and a commitment to growth in key cities and resort destinations worldwide. With capital assigned to grow its portfolio, as well as refine its existing properties, Jumeirah Group – a member of Dubai Holding – is strategically targeting assets that will align with its new brand expression of luxury hospitality. Europe, Asia and the United States are an important focus, with plans to build a brand presence in major European cities and key gateway destinations, the most recent acquisition being the luxury hospitality company’s first property in Switzerland – Le Richemond in Geneva.  The hotel, which is being fully renovated to open in 2025, will add to Jumeirah’s growing footprint in Europe which includes properties in London, UK; Capri, Italy; and Mallorca, Spain. The emphasis on further expansion comes after a successful year in 2022 and a robust start for the Group in 2023. That, coupled with the brand’s expanding community of loyal guests provides a strong rationale for growth. Jumeirah’s strength in Dubai, now one the world’s leading tourism destinations, also gives the brand a strong base from which to accelerate the diversification of its portfolio, both in the region and globally. Katerina Giannouka, CEO of Jumeirah Group said: “We are entering a new era for the Jumeirah brand, with a focus on brand evolution and expansion. With a proven track record building and operating successful resort destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, we believe the time is right to extend our portfolio into new key city …

The kingdom is poised for a major expansion in its hospitality sector by creating 315,000 hotel units by 2030, according to global real estate consultancy Knight Frank. Knight Frank stated that this growth will highlight the increase in hotel room inventory in Saudi Arabia to become larger than Dubai’s current 140,000 hotel units. The development of the hospitality sector is a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plans. Faisal Durrani, Partner and Head of Research in the Middle East, explained, “The size of the hotel room units planned to be delivered in the Kingdom is unbelievable, with the total number of rooms likely to reach nearly 450,000 hotel rooms. To illustrate, the UAE today has a total of approximately 200,000 hotel rooms, including Dubai’s 140,000 hotel units, meaning Saudi Arabia is poised to grow by up to 58% greater than the UAE. The bulk of the success of Saudi Arabia’s future tourism and hospitality market will be its local tourism sector. The sector is already thriving, with 65% of Saudis already traveling within the Kingdom one to three times a month. But what is surprising is the fact that 58% of Saudis we spoke to as part of the 2023 Saudi report choose not to stay in hotels.” Speaking about the need for diversity in accommodation options, Durrani explains, “The prevalence of large families travelling together may be a factor, as can cost, quality and location. Our Saudi Report 2023. Only 17% of planned hotel fittings are for 3-star or lower-class hotels, and with 56% of KSA residents under the age of 35, the demand for different hotel accommodation types will continue to emerge as an important consideration for the …