Category Archives: Hotels

Almosafer entered into a global strategic partnership with Mandarin Oriental. The significant partnership, announced at World Travel Market London 2024, provides Almosafer exclusive access to Mandarin’s highly rated global property portfolio of 41 hotels and resorts, elevating Almosafer’s luxury hospitality segment. The global direct connectivity agreement with a special focus on Saudi Arabia follows the growing demand for ultra-luxury travel among Almosafer’s clients. It will enable Almosafer’s B2B and B2C customers to gain access to Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s global portfolio of 41 properties across 26 countries. Travellers will enjoy direct access to real-time inventory and competitive pricing through Almosafer’s consumer platforms as Almosafer elevates its luxury offerings and enhances its services to high-end customers. The partnership will further enable Almosafer to promote Mandarin Oriental to travellers from Saudi Arabia and beyond. The partnership will also provide the luxury Group access to Almosafer’s extensive network of agents through their Destination Management Company, Discover Saudi, resulting in greater brand visibility and reach for Mandarin Oriental’s KSA properties. Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Executive Officer of Almosafer, said: “We are delighted to elevate our luxury offerings through our newly inked agreement with the prestigious and iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. While enabling the award-winning hotel group greater brand visibility through our omnichannel portfolio, we look forward to enhancing our unique offerings to our discerning clients through this significant partnership. At Almosafer, we’ve always strived to set industry benchmarks, and I’m confident the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will add to the allure of our attractive hospitality portfolio.” Geoffrey Webb, Vice President, Global Sales at Mandarin Oriental adds: “We are thrilled to embark on this strategic partnership with Almosafer, which allows us to expand our …

Rotana announced plans to open Bloom Arjaan by Rotana on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, and Yasmina Rayhaan by Rotana in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), in 2025. The latter will contribute to Rotana’s goal of tripling its current key count in the Kingdom to 6,000 over the next three years. In addition, work is also underway on another six Edge by Rotana properties in the MENAT region. Launched as a new brand in 2022, Rotana currently operates seven Edge by Rotana properties in the UAE and KSA, with plans on track to reach a target of operating 30 Edge by Rotana properties across the region by 2027. Rotana unveils its ambitious regional and international expansion plans at the World Travel Market (WTM) London. Driving the group’s global expansion is the development of 43 new properties in 24 cities in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and Türkiye. The new properties will add 9,049 rooms to Rotana’s inventory, taking its total keys to 30,301 globally. Commenting on Rotana’s expansion plans, Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana, said: “Rotana’s ambitious development plans underscore our commitment to expediting growth in the sector and developing offerings to suit ever-changing customer demand. Drawing on our rich heritage, we look forward to welcoming more guests to Rotana properties across the globe soon to experience our signature hospitality offering and enjoy moments of treasured times.”  

Esterad Amwaj Co. the developer and owner of the iconic Amwaj Beachfront project in Amwaj Islands Esterad Amwaj, held a signing ceremony partnering with leading hospitality company Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG), in bringing METT Hotel & Residences, ISOLA Beach, and RAISE Fitness to Amwaj Beachfront. The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of Gateway Gulf Forum 2024, and this collaboration represents a milestone development for the region, featuring 220 keys, branded villas, and residences that promise to elevate luxury and wellness on the Amwaj Beachfront. The project aims to draw international interest and further solidify the area’s reputation as a premier destination for lifestyle and luxury. With the combined expertise and visionary approach of both Esterad Amwaj and SHG, the development is set to redefine hospitality standards within the region. Commenting, Ahmed Abdulrahman, CEO of Esterad Investment Company, and the chairman of Esterad Amwaj Company, said, “Esterad Amwaj is thrilled to partner with SHG to bring a number of world-class hospitality concepts to Amwaj Beachfront. This collaboration is a pivotal step toward realizing our vision of establishing a vibrant, luxurious destination that enhances the lifestyle and leisure offerings in Bahrain. We look forward to setting a new benchmark in hospitality and providing unparalleled experiences for both residents and visitors to Amwaj Islands.” Antonio Gonzalez, CEO and Group Chairman of SHG, added, “Partnering with Esterad Amwaj represents an exciting milestone for us as we expand our footprint in Bahrain. Our aim is to bring a new level of luxury and lifestyle experiences to Amwaj Beachfront, tailored to the tastes of today’s discerning traveler and resident. We’re committed to creating memorable and immersive spaces that resonate with the local community while …

Smart hospitality solutions provider, Hudini, has entered into an agreement with Orascom Hotels Management for the rollout of their new digital platform, Staff Connect, across Orascom’s portfolio of hotels globally. These properties include Casa Cook, Steigenberger, Club Paradisio, The Chedi and Cooks Club, Mosaique, all of which are located in El Gouna, Egypt. Orascom Hotels Management has chosen the Staff Connect platform by Hudini to create exceptional guest arrival experiences with tailored personal interaction. Orascom’s vision is to transform the arrival experience by completely removing the front desk. Upon arrival, the guests are welcomed and escorted to their rooms by an Experience Ambassador who is assigned to the guests for the entire stay. With the Staff Connect platform, check-in formalities are completed seamlessly in less than a minute in the comfort of the guests’ room. Staff Connect has already been successfully implemented across 15 properties within the Orascom portfolio.  Staff Connect is a seamless digital platform designed to streamline operations and staff communication, instantly making information accessible to all hotel departments from front desk to housekeeping. Seamlessly integrated with a hotel’s backend systems, the platform can be accessed on various portable devices, ensuring staff have real-time information at their fingertips. With Staff Connect, hotel staff can easily access guest profiles and preferences, leveraging AI-powered insights to deliver personalised promotions, experience recommendations, and curated amenities. Not only does this boost upsell opportunities, but it also creates truly bespoke stays for every guest. Sanjay Sharma, Chief Technology Officer of Orascom Hotels Management, commented [with Hudini] “the switch to personalised arrival experiences has turned out to be immensely successful with guest feedback such as “stunning” and “out of this world”. In addition, we …

Set to make its international debut, Signia by Hilton Amman will mark the luxury brand’s first property outside the U.S. located in a prime area in Amman, Jordan the hotel will open with 272 guest rooms and suites offering guests an exceptional stay in one of the world’s oldest cities. Seven exquisite dining venues will showcase a curated selection of international cuisines, bringing flavours from different corners of the world to the capital of Jordan. Guests will also enjoy a world-class spa and fitness centre, an exclusive Club Signia experience reserved solely for club rooms and suites and an upscale bowling and entertainment centre. The upcoming opening will also be perfectly suited for business travellers and hosting large events with over 5,000 square meters of flexible meeting space including a state-of-the-art convention centre with a capacity of 3,400 guests and 20 meeting rooms.

DEX Squared Hospitality has achieved a monumental milestone, winning a prestigious contract to develop the World Heart Hotel Brand and Operate Baghdad’s first 5-star luxury hotel. This landmark 320-room property, comprising 285 hotel rooms, 35 upscale suites and 54 luxury apartments, is set to redefine Iraq’s hospitality landscape. Dex Squared Hospitality’s involvement underscores the company’s expanding regional footprint. “We are excited to bring our innovative approach to hotel operations and brand development to Iraq,” said Kevork Deldelian, CEO & Founder at Dex Squared Hospitality. “As a project, the World Heart Hotel aligns perfectly with our vision to revolutionize the industry as we continue to challenge the status quo and make excellence a standard. Our goal is to create an unparalleled hospitality experience that will set new benchmarks in luxury and service standards within the Iraqi market.” Dex Squared Hospitality’s selection for this landmark project highlights the company’s renowned excellence and its extensive portfolio of services, including the full management of hotels and restaurants, brand development, asset optimization, bespoke F&B concept creation, SPA management, and an extensive list of hospitality related consultancy services. With a strong presence in major cities across the MENA region—spanning Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, Cairo, Rabat, and the Red Sea—Dex Squared is uniquely positioned to understand and address the diverse market demands of Middle Eastern clients. Mr. Abdullah Saleh Al-Jubouri, Owner of the Heart of the World Heart Hotel, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership and said, “Setting the foundations of the World Heart Hotel marks a new era in the fields of investment and economic development for Iraq. As such, collaborating with Dex Squared Hospitality marks a new chapter for luxury hospitality in Iraq. Their approach and regional …

Hilton announced the graduation of its first cohort of students from a hospitality training programme in partnership with Bunyan for Training, an affiliate of the reputed hospitality management school in Switzerland, Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL). Since signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022, 18 students have successfully completed the programme and joined Hilton’s growing team across its 21 trading hotels in Saudi Arabia. The graduation ceremony was held at Jeddah Hilton, attended by officials from the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Human Resources, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Human Resources Fund together with senior Bunyan for Training, EHL and Hilton representatives. Fawaz Moumina, country manager and senior director of operations, KSA, Hilton, said: “As we continue with our plans to more than quadruple our portfolio and open more than 70 hotels in the coming years, we are committed to creating 15,000 jobs, with more than half for Saudi nationals. We are proud to see the first group of graduates join our team and the second well underway, and we look forward to their future successes, which will inspire the next generation of Saudi hospitality professionals.” Accredited by the Saudi Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and certified by EHL, the programme offers both theoretical and practical training, along with opportunities to explore various areas of hospitality such as front office, housekeeping, and more. Looking ahead, the next cohort of 40 students, half of whom are young women, has already begun training across Hilton hotels in Saudi Arabia.

Hyatt announced plans for affiliates of Hyatt and Grupo Piñero to enter into a long-term asset-light strategic joint venture, headquartered in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, which will manage Bahia Principe-branded hotels and resorts and own the Bahia Principe brand. The 50/50 joint venture is expected to expand Hyatt’s all-inclusive room portfolio by approximately 30% and enhance Hyatt’s position as one of the leading providers of all-inclusive offerings across the world. For Grupo Piñero, this strategic venture will build on the company’s longstanding success in all-inclusive hospitality with a robust European customer base and is expected to provide expanded opportunities with travelers in the Americas and other important markets. The transaction is anticipated to close in the coming months subject to customary closing conditions. Hyatt plans to appoint Bahia Principe’s current Chief Executive Officer Julio Pérez as Chief Executive Officer to lead the management company following close, with Grupo Piñero’s current Global Chief Executive Officer Encarna Piñero serving as Chairman of the Board and additional officers to be named at a later time. Upon closing, 23 resorts, totaling over 12,000 rooms, including 22 resorts under the Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts brand located across the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, and Spain, as well as the exclusive Cayo Levantado Resort in the Dominican Republic will be added to Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection. A majority of the proceeds from this transaction will be leveraged by Grupo Piñero to enhance existing Bahia Principe resorts. “The addition of Bahia Principe’s resorts to Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection will enhance Hyatt’s all-inclusive offering and strengthen our leadership position with one of the largest collections of all-inclusive resorts in the world,” said Mark Hoplamazian, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hyatt. “Grupo …

Red Sea Global announced that Saudi Arabia’s newest luxury resort, Shebara, and the fourth to open its doors at The Red Sea destination will be welcoming guests from November 2024. Shebara, the first to open of RSG’s owned and operated resorts, is built to offer luxury, sustainability, and innovation converging to redefine how tourism is delivered. The resort provides direct access to an extraordinary marine environment where guests can enjoy diving in some of the most pristine, biodiverse waters in the world. Its unrivaled hospitality is rooted in the Saudi tradition of Hafawah – which encapsulates generosity, consideration, and kindness – offering guests unique, timeless, and extraordinary experiences. “We are immensely proud to open Shebara to the world, yet another remarkable milestone for Red Sea Global and Saudi tourism. This luxury and truly one-of-a-kind resort embodies our commitment to innovative design and sustainable tourism. I am genuinely excited for our first guests to experience the unparalleled beauty and serenity of Shebara, where every detail has been crafted to create unforgettable memories,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. The stunning Red Sea setting will ensure guests are provided with an experience far beyond the ordinary. Shebara’s 73 overwater and beachfront villas shimmer in the bright sunshine, appearing as if they were a string of pearls floating above the turquoise waters of the Red Sea. Beyond the unparalleled natural beauty that surrounds the resort, Shebara invites guests to immerse themselves in luxury, from taking advantage of the premium amenities, including a state-of-the-art Fitness Center, to experiencing exceptional cuisine, delivered by world-class chefs, such as Michelin starred Marco Garfagnini. Guests can also enjoy an exceptional nature-inspired spa sanctuary with 5 luxurious treatment …

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and Hilton have signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will further enhance the destination’s visibility globally and support the hotel group with team member training and service optimisation. This new phase of their ongoing partnership is in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, underscoring the commitment of DET and Hilton to drive excellence across the tourism sector by creating outstanding experiences for visitors. Designed to establish a collaborative framework between the entities, the MoU will focus on joint marketing initiatives, including through advertising campaigns and social media, actively promoting Dubai as a premier destination. They will also roll out tourism products that highlight the city’s unique attractions, integrating these experiences into seasonal packages to provide visitors with authentic insights into the city. Furthermore, there will be opportunities to incorporate Dubai experiences into the Hilton Honors loyalty programme, which has more than 195 million members globally. Meanwhile, Hilton will be able to leverage DET’s training and capacity building, offered through its Dubai College of Tourism, to enhance team member skills in areas such as customer service and cultural awareness, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services to visitors. The MoU was signed at DET’s headquarters by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Guy Hutchinson, President, Middle East & Africa at Hilton. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “Hilton has been a key part of Dubai’s tourism growth story over recent decades, contributing …