Category Archives: Hotels

UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance reported record 2023 results, with every key performance metric hitting an all-time high. Repeat stay revenue surpassed the billion-dollar mark for the first time, increasing 60% year-on-year to US$1.4 billion, while hotel cross-brand revenue jumped 71% to $289 million, demonstrating GHA DISCOVERY’s successful loyalty model, which incentivizes members to enjoy the programme’s benefits, including earning and spending their DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) rewards currency, across its 40 member brands. Total room revenue of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, shared by all brands and their collective 800 hotels, reached US$2.3 billion, surpassing 2022 by more than US$1 billion. This reflects the growth and engagement of the loyalty member base, which crossed the 25 million mark in 2023 and achieved 2.7 million new member enrolments for the year compared to 1.6 million in 2022. With more members understanding the value of D$ (D$1 equal to US$1) – as easy to redeem as cash toward the bill at checkout – D$ redemptions more than doubled year over year. Redemption spiked during key 2023 holiday periods, with December seeing the highest redemption rate since the rewards currency was launched two years ago. “Our record 2023 results reflect how our customers have embraced the GHA DISCOVERY programme and its new rewards currency, which offers incredible value and choice to members” said GHA CEO Chris Hartley. “With more upscale and luxury hotels and brands continuing to join GHA amid record revenues in 2023, we embark on our 20th anniversary celebrations this year in great shape and primed for further growth.” Key booking preferences of GHA DISCOVERY members in 2023: International travel dominates International stays contributed 60% of all revenue in 2023, with countries …

IHG Hotels & Resorts announced the signing of a franchise agreement for a new-build boutique hotel, Hotel Indigo Abha, slated to open by December 2025 in partnership with Firdous Abha Hotel Holding Company and under the management of Aleph Hospitality. The strategic signing underscores IHG’s commitment to expanding its Luxury & Lifestyle portfolio of hotels and elevating hospitality offering for the growing tourism sector in the Kingdom. Hotel Indigo is the world’s neighbourhood hotel that celebrates how guests can discover, or rediscover, some of the most inspiring and culturally rich neighbourhoods across the world. When staying at a Hotel Indigo, it is not just to visit a place, it is about being fully immersed into the neighbourhood and wanting to take a little bit of it home. With 278 open or pipeline hotels globally, each hotel draws on the local neighbourhood, culture and popular trends in food, drink and design to create a warm and vibrant atmosphere. Scheduled to open its doors in December 2025, Hotel Indigo Abha will feature 110 rooms, providing guests with a unique and distinctive experience in the heart of the Arabian Highland. Along with taking inspiration from its neighborhood across the guest journey, the hotel will feature a range of amenities, including a restaurant, coffee lounge, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) facilities, and a fitness room, providing a blend of comfort and authenticity in a culturally rich and naturally stunning destination. Haitham Mattar, Managing Director – India, Middle East and Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “Abha is home to Saudi Arabia’s most scenic landscapes and highest peaks, where adventure and relaxation both co-exist. With its current portfolio of unbranded and local hotels, we recognized …

In a joint effort to promote sustainability in the Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Biosphere have inked a partnership to promote sustainability criteria in the hotel industry under the Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative. In the current landscape of globalisation and information saturation, where sustainability holds paramount importance, the proliferation of new standards and eco-labels poses a significant challenge for the sector. Identifying clear and consistent sustainability criteria has become increasingly difficult. Biosphere and WTTC have joined forces and solidified their commitment to fostering a more sustainable hotel industry to establish fundamental steps for global sustainability practices. This marks a significant milestone for global hotel sustainability, benefiting over 2,500 hotels. As partners of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA), both organisations are optimistic that standardising their sustainability concepts will undoubtedly catalyse widespread adoption by hotels worldwide. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Hotel Basics is a crucial and inclusive industry initiative, ensuring hotels continue to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of both travellers and the planet. The collaboration between Biosphere and WTTC is a fundamental step towards international standardisation in sustainability, creating a clear and homogeneous pathway for the industry.” The recent signed agreement between WTTC and Biosphere will lay the groundwork for a network of international criteria homogenisation. This initiative aims to facilitate the industry’s transition from basic criteria to more advanced global standards, aligning with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 goals of the United Nations. This connection is made possible through the Guide for Sustainable Tourism of UN-SDSN Spain and Biosphere. Dr. Tomás de Azcárate Bang, President of the Responsible Tourism Institute, said: “Sustainability must be viable, …

Millennium Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East and Africa announced the opening of Millennium Place Doha, a new lifestyle haven in the heart of Qatar’s capital, dedicated to sustainability and an integral part of guests’ experiences. The hotel features 150 luxurious rooms ranging from Superior to Deluxe categories, as well as 6 Executive Suites equipped with modern amenities. The sleeping bathrooms are carefully designed to provide a relaxing environment that encourages guests to relax and recharge after a busy day. Some rooms also offer private balconies that allow guests to enjoy mesmerizing views of the city, making Millennium Place Doha a tourist retreat that offers luxurious and happy stays in line with the Millennium Place brand logo that promises guests happiness around every corner. Fahad Abdul Rahim Kazim, CEO of Millennium Hotels & Resorts Middle East and Africa, said: “We are proud to announce the opening of our fifth Millennium Place hotel for the first time in Doha. Millennium Place Doha reflects the concept of living in a distinctive way under the Millennium Place brand, embodying the idea of making every moment an opportunity for happiness. Whether our guests are on a business trip or leisure, our motto ‘Happiness – Every Moment, Happiness is a Choice’ is reflected in every aspect of our services, with sustainability at the forefront of our operations and offering a wide variety of food and beverages that will appeal to guests and visitors alike, and we look forward to the hotel becoming the hub of the city’s distinctive lifestyle.” Eng. Mohammed Abbas, Owner and General Manager of Ishtar Hotel Management added: “It is a great honor for us to open this hotel which will …

IBS Software has reached an agreement to acquire the ground-breaking hotel and travel technology provider Above Property Services (APS). The $90 million transaction will further solidify IBS Software’s position in the hospitality market and strengthen the brand, to underpin an ambitious expansion of its reach in the hospitality industry. The strategic acquisition will enable IBS Software to provide the only unified platform in the hospitality industry for seamlessly managing the entire customer journey from booking to fulfillment for the global hotel chain, resort, and gaming markets. The move will significantly expand the company’s offering with the addition of cutting-edge CRS (Central Reservation System), PMS (Property Management System) and RMS (Revenue Management System) solutions. With this acquisition IBS Software adds Call Center and Demand-side (stored and third-party inventory) solutions to its already established booking engine and distribution platform used by over 36,000 hotels worldwide, including many of the world’s largest and best-known hotels and resorts. APS was founded in 2012 by Aaron Shepherd, an industry pioneer who developed a number of the world’s leading hospitality PMS and CRS solutions. The company was established to completely reinvent hotel software from the ground up, offering a revolutionary cutting-edge unified platform optimized for the hotel enterprise sector. A typical hotel organization requires multiple core software platforms to capture bookings and provide services, requiring multiple vendors and integrations. Each system needs unique logins, user interfaces, training requirements, upgrade paths, pricing and contract terms, breeding inefficiency – especially considering 80% of the data in each application is redundant and has to be replicated or synchronized. Over the last decade, APS’s platform has created a new standard for speed, flexibility and stability for travel and hospitality CRS, PMS …

As part of its focus on women in hospitality, and aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for women empowerment, organisers of the Future Hospitality Summit – The Bench will be offering complimentary passes for Saudi national women working in the Saudi hospitality sector. This was announced with the confirmation of the first speakers of the 2024 edition of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia, which is set to take place at Al Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh from 29 April to 1 May 2024, for the region’s leading hospitality investment platform. Organised by The Bench, 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. Confirmed speakers include leaders from some of the most dynamic hospitality brands, the real estate, asset management, investment and consulting community, international media, and government representatives. Among the confirmed names are Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investment – host sponsors of FHS Saudi Arabia; Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments; Henri Giscard D’Estaing, President, Club Med; Mark De Cocinis, Chief Executive Officer, Boutique Group; Matthew Martin, Saudi Arabia Bureau Chief, Bloomberg LP; Pat Thaker, Editorial Director Middle East & Africa, The Economist Group; Thomas Emanuel, Senior Director, STR; Norah Al-Tamimi, Chief Executive Officer, Baheej; Aradhana Khowala, CEO & Founder, Aptamind Partners, and Susie Ellis, Co-Founder, Chair & CEO, Global Wellness Summit and Chair & CEO of the Global Wellness Institute. “The agenda for FHS Saudi Arabia is shaping up very nicely and we are excited to welcome our first distinguished speakers for what is …

Al Faisaliah Hotel has officially rebranded as Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh. This marks Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s debut in the Kingdom, bringing the brand’s prestige and legendary service to a landmark in the heart of Riyadh. To mark this significant milestone, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held in the presence of Al Khozama Company’s Chairman, His Royal Highness Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khaled Al Saud, and Chief Executive Officer, Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, as well as Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s senior leadership including Chief Operating Officer, Christoph Mares, Chief Commercial Officer, Joanna Flint, Area Vice President Operations, Michael Koth, and General Manager of Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, Richard Johnson. As part of the ceremony, the hotel’s signature fan designed by Her Royal Highness Princess Nourah Al Faisal was unveiled, a stunning creation that draws inspiration from Saudi Arabia’s rich history, dynamic present and compelling future. Khalid Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer of Al Khozama Investment, said, “The Al Faisaliah district, a defining presence in Riyadh’s skyline since 2000, forms an indelible part of the community’s collective memory. With the arrival of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group to the Kingdom, the iconic property is poised to add even more excitement to the capital and Al Faisaliah district, promising every visitor a uniquely elevated and enriched experience.” The hotel’s General Manager, Richard Johnson, stated, “We are honoured to continue Al Faisaliah Hotel’s legacy as an iconic hotel and lifestyle destination, whilst reaffirming Mandarin Oriental’s commitment to the region. Our mission is to bring the exceptional to life, putting our guests right in the heart of luxury, business, prime dining and exploration, complete with the impeccable service that Mandarin Oriental is known …

The official inauguration of JW Marriott Hotel Muscat was celebrated in a grand celebration concurrent with the Sultanate of Oman’s 53rd National Day and in alignment with the National Tourism Strategy 2040, Oman Tourism Development Company (OMRAN Group) heralds the completion of Phase I of Madinat Al Irfan East. This event marks the introduction of the globally acclaimed JW Marriott brand to Oman, signifying a momentous stride in positioning Oman as a leading global tourism destination. The inauguration ceremony was graced by His Excellency Salim Mohammed Al Mahruqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism, along with esteemed dignitaries, OMRAN Group officials, and key figures in Oman’s tourism industry. JW Marriott Hotel Muscat, a 5-star facility with an investment of approximately 47 million Omani Rials, encompasses 304 rooms and suites. As part of the Marriott Bonvoy international hotel chain, it is the first JW Marriott branded hotel in Oman. Strategically located in the heart of Madinat Al Irfan East and directly linked to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), the hotel is poised to offer exceptional experiences to its guests, significantly contributing to Oman’s tourism sector. His Excellency Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahruqi remarked on the completion of Phase I of Madinat Al Irfan East, stating that it represents a pivotal stage in the urban development of the city, creating a vibrant tourist destination that celebrates Omani identity. With comprehensive facilities like the OCEC, designed to global architectural and environmental standards, this development aligns meticulously with Oman Vision 2040’s objectives to promote sustainable tourism development, economic diversification, and preservation of natural resources. Dr. Hashil Obaid Al Mahrouqi, Chief Executive Officer of OMRAN Group, remarked, “This project is a direct reflection of our …

Radisson Hotel Group announced the opening of Vivid Jeddah Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals, in the vibrant city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This marks the opening of the first Radisson Individuals hotel in Saudi Arabia, further solidifying the Group’s growing footprint in the region and Saudi Arabia, with a portfolio of 43 hotels in operation and development in the country, and five hotels in the city of Jeddah. Jeddah is known for its beautiful Red Sea coastline, Al-Balad, the historic UNESCO heritage site with gorgeous coral architecture, narrow alleys, and bustling souks, the world’s tallest fountain, the King Fahd’s Fountain, Tahlia Street, known for its prime shopping, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Formula 1), and for being a gateway for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. For adventurous souls, scuba diving offers a thrilling opportunity to explore fascinating underwater wonders like the Chicken Wreck. Strategically located in the prime area of Al Hamra, Vivid Jeddah Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals is near many corporate businesses and just a short walk from Jeddah Corniche. King Abdulaziz International Airport, the busiest international airport in Saudi Arabia, is the largest hub for Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia, and is only 22 kilometers away and a 26-minute drive from the hotel. The hotel boasts 339 elegantly designed rooms, including 30 exquisite suites, and a magnificent royal suite, providing guests unparalleled luxury and comfort. The rooms in the sea tower offer the most breathtaking views, allowing guests to witness stunning sunsets and indulge in mesmerizing sea vistas. The hotel boasts a range of dining options, including the Jasmine Restaurant, where you can greet the day with unexpected culinary delights the Vivid Lounge Café in the …

Shamal Holding started the construction of Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai. Set to open in 2026, the new Downtown lifestyle development will include two crystal-inspired towers cutting a new feature into Dubai’s skyline, containing Baccarat hotel suites and bespoke residences boasting the brand’s signature design. The luxury offering will be complemented by exceptional dining experiences and the highest quality amenities and services. An exclusive lifestyle development, Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai will blend Baccarat’s heritage of craftsmanship, the experience and energy of Dubai and a meticulous attention to finer detail, providing authentic elegance, refined comfort, exquisite living and iconic design. The hotel project will be managed by SH Hotels & Resorts. Abdulla Binhabtoor, Chief Portfolio Management Officer, Shamal Holding – the diversified investment arm that owns Baccarat Hotel and Residences, Dubai said; “For over two centuries Baccarat has defined luxury, translating its essence into contemporary lifestyle offerings including Baccarat Hotel New York, the first hospitality flagship for the brand. Inspired by this, Baccarat Hotel and Residences Dubai introduces a glimmering new masterpiece with an otherworldly lifestyle experience for those who choose to see life in a new light. We are working alongside a team of extraordinary partners led by H&H Development to deliver an industry-defining project, setting a new standard of elevated living in Dubai”. “We remain committed to bringing the extraordinary to the communities we invest in, as we play our role alongside our partners and stakeholders in supporting Dubai’s growth and ambitions to be the number one city to live and work in,” continued Binhabtoor. Award-winning architects Studio Libeskind and interior design studio 1508 London led by renowned Dubai developer H&H Development and owner Shamal Holding will deliver an industry-defining …