Category Archives: Hotels

Dubai-based Lokalee entered a partnership with Viator to enable Lokalee’s hotel and holiday home customers to offer their guests access to Viator’s extensive catalogue of global tours, activities, and excursions. With an inventory of 300,000+ experiences across 200 countries, Viator, a Tripadvisor company, is the leading online marketplace for booking tours, activities, and attractions at destinations worldwide. Viator’s integration into the Lokalee platform will allow users of the app to discover and book a wide range of experiences – everything from guided city walking tours and sunset cruises to adventurous excursions, cooking classes, cultural activities, and more. Lokalee is an AI-powered, B2B content platform specifically developed for hotels and holiday homes. The customizable white-label platform allows guests to browse and book everything a property and the destination has to offer, sourced by Lokal Curators and supported by global partners. Trusted by over 200 brands across 20 countries, Lokalee’s platform has already been implemented at leading hotel groups such as Mövenpick, Sheraton, Rotana, Sofitel, Hilton, Millennium among others. “We are very pleased to welcome Viator as a global partner to Lokalee. The partnership is an ideal alliance which will boost our destination offering to our customers, and which complements our continued expansion plans to optimize the digitization of the guest journey for our customers,” said Samir Abi Frem, CEO of Advanced Digital Technology and Lokalee.

Qatar launched its latest tourism project spanning 8 million square metres, featuring a 7km waterfront that stretches over Qatar’s eastern coastline. The project opens diverse investment avenues for the private sector, with over 16 plots available for development. These include luxury resorts spread across four distinct areas, a theme park, a world-class 18-hole golf course, residential villas, a yacht club and a marina, as well as restaurants and shops. In addition, the project will rely on sustainable construction and operation, incorporating cutting-edge smart systems and innovative technologies while prioritising the use of locally recycled materials. By boosting non-oil sector contributions to Qatar’s economy, empowering the private sector and attracting foreign direct investment, the Simaisma Project marks a significant milestone towards achieving the Third National Development Strategy 2024-2030. HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, launched the Simaisma Project, an initiative led by the Ministry of Municipality and developed by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. Set to become a new cultural landmark, the project will span over 8 million square metres, featuring a 7 km waterfront that stretches over Qatar’s eastern coastline. Speaking at the event, HE Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Minister of Municipality, emphasised the importance of public and private sector partnerships in achieving Qatar’s development. He explained: “We are steadily advancing towards realising Qatar’s national vision 2030, building a more prosperous and stable future for coming generations across the economic, social and environmental domains. We are thrilled to contribute to the growth of the tourism and entertainment sector by spearheading innovative projects that meet the rising demand in this crucial industry.” Eng Ali bin Mohammed Al …

Park Hyatt Marrakech welcomes guests, marking the debut of the Park Hyatt brand in Morocco as the country’s popular summer season approaches its peak. The opening grows the brand’s presence in Africa, joining Park Hyatt Zanzibar and the forthcoming Park Hyatt Johannesburg, slated for 2025. Uniquely located about 5.5 miles (9 kilometers) from Marrakech’s historic Medina district, the 19-acre (7.5-hectare) resort is situated in an exquisite, off-the-beaten path location at the base of the Atlas Mountains. Surrounded by palm trees, olive trees and jacaranda trees, Park Hyatt Marrakech sits adjacent to the magnificent Al Maaden Golf resort, exclusively offering guests convenient access to the 18-hole course. Park Hyatt Marrakech stands apart from other luxury hotels in the market through a distinctly residential, modern, and stylish take on Arab-Berber heritage. Inviting worldly travelers to experience the splendor of Marrakech and Morocco at large, the hotel encourages sensory enrichment via thoughtfully chosen touchpoints including authentic design and focus on the surrounding environment as juxtaposed to contemporary art, global fine dining and the latest in individually tailored wellness. Composed of 16 pavilions arranged around a central, zeolite patio, Park Hyatt Marrakech encapsulates the personalized, understated luxury of the global brand with unexpected, hyperlocal experiences for guests – from breakfast in a hot-air balloon in the Three Atlas Valleys, to dinner in a Bedouin tent in the Agafay desert, to airport transfers in luxury electric cars, and more. “As a key market in our regional growth strategy, we are delighted to open Morocco’s first Park Hyatt hotel in Marrakech. The property has been a highly anticipated addition to our portfolio as Morocco receives a resurgence of interest as a top tier cultural destination among travel …

Taking a significant step toward environmental responsibility, Amsa Hospitality announced an initiative to promote recycled products by providing backpacks made from recycled plastic bottles for its employees and business partners. Creating backpacks from recycled plastic bottles is an innovative process that involves collecting used bottles, shredding them into flakes, and then melting them into polyester fibers. The fibers are woven into a fabric, then cut and sewn into backpacks. Amsa Hospitality is a pioneering Saudi hospitality company aligned with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, including ensuring a greener future for the Kingdom and the planet. Aamir Riaz, Chief Operating Officer of Amsa Hospitality, said, “Environmental sustainability is a must-have in Amsa Hospitality’s daily operations. Using products created from recycled waste promotes resource conservation and energy efficiency. Indeed, producing recycled PET fabric consumes less energy than producing new polyester from petroleum.” The first 500 backpacks were given to visitors at last month’s Arabian Travel Market. Amsa Hospitality aims to further its dedication to sustainability by exploring additional recycling possibilities.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced that a Hyatt affiliate has acquired the ME and all hotels brand from Lindner Hotels AG (Lindner) to unlock growth in new European markets and build on Hyatt’s strong momentum in the region. This move builds on the successful strategic collaboration that Hyatt and Lindner entered into in 2022, which significantly increased Hyatt’s brand footprint in Germany and Europe, with the subsequent integration of most Lindner Hotels & Resorts and me and all hotels into the World of Hyatt loyalty program. Following the transaction, me and all hotels, which is currently a nested brand within Hyatt’s JdV by Hyatt brand, will become a standalone brand within Hyatt’s global lifestyle portfolio, which has quintupled in rooms between 2017 and the end of 2023. Since launching in 2016 as Lindner Hotels & Resorts’ urban lifestyle sister brand, the me and all hotels portfolio has grown to six hotels and 1,000+ rooms in central city locations across Germany, which are currently included in Hyatt’s inventory. The brand has a healthy pipeline, combining conversions and new builds in key destinations including Berlin (slated to open in 2024), Hamburg, Leipzig and Stuttgart (all expected to open in 2026). Hyatt’s pipeline includes 1,000 me and all hotel rooms, with additional development deals in various stages of negotiation for destinations outside of Germany. The me and all hotels brand combines outstanding guest satisfaction with a conversion-friendly development model in the desirable upscale lifestyle space, positioning it for scale and accelerated expansion across Europe and beyond. “The Lindner team has built an incredible brand with me and all hotels, and we believe the brand has great potential for expansion across Europe and other global …

Swissotel Al Murooj announced that it has been awarded the esteemed Green Key certification, recognizing its commitment to environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices. This internationally recognized eco-label is a testament to the hotel’s dedication to reducing its environmental footprint and promoting sustainable tourism. The Green Key certification is awarded to tourism establishments that adhere to strict environmental standards set by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). These standards encompass a wide range of criteria, including water conservation, waste management, energy efficiency, and staff and guest involvement in sustainable practices. “We are thrilled to receive the Green Key certification, which underscores our ongoing efforts to operate in an environmentally responsible manner,” said Amro Nagah General Manager of Swissotel AL Murooj. “Our team has worked diligently to implement and maintain sustainable practices that benefit both our guests and the environment. This achievement reflects our commitment to sustainability and our role as a responsible member of the global tourism community.” Key initiatives that contributed to Swissotel AL Murooj receiving the Green Key certification include: • Energy Efficiency: Implementation of energy-saving measures such as LED lighting, energy-efficient appliances, and smart thermostats to reduce energy consumption. • Water Conservation: Adoption of water-saving technologies including low-flow faucets and showerheads, as well as initiatives to reuse towels and linens to minimize water usage. • Waste Management: Comprehensive recycling programs, composting of organic waste, and reduction of single-use plastics throughout the property. • Sustainable Sourcing: Use of eco-friendly and locally sourced products, including organic food and beverages in the hotel’s dining facilities. • Guest and Staff Engagement: Educational programs and activities to raise awareness about environmental issues among guests and Heartists, encouraging participation in the hotel’s green initiatives. …

Trump International Resort is expected to be constructed in Oman with 140 hotel units, suites, villas, residential apartments, and a golf course. The project will further include international restaurants and places for meetings and conferences. His Highness Sayyid Dhi Yazan bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, sponsored today at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel the launch ceremony of the Trump International Resort, which is being held within the “Aida” project in the Yiti area in the state of Muscat. Yousef Al Shalash, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company, explained that the project will provide a high level of hospitality and hotel services in the Sultanate of Oman, noting that the partnership with the Trump Group will add an aesthetic touch through its global expertise. On the other hand, Ziad Al-Shaar, CEO of Dar Global, the developer of the “Aida” project, indicated that the project will be available for investment, as investors can purchase hotel units (villas and hotel apartments), adding that the project will also include international restaurants and places for meetings and conferences. It is noteworthy that the “Aida” project comes within the general plan of the Yiti integrated tourism project in the state of Muscat, and is being held in partnership between the Omran Group and the Saudi company “Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development.”

The 7th Annual Commercial Strategy Conference ME, organised by Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) Middle East will take place on 26 and 27 November 2024, focusing on new revenue strategies in the hospitality industry. The event brings together the region’s hospitality sales, marketing and revenue management professionals for unmatched educational insights, connections, inspiration and awards. Staged at the Conrad Dubai hotel, the Commercial Strategy Conference (CSC) will gather industry peers for two days of exclusive presentations, panel debates, networking opportunities and more, including the ROCKSTAR Awards, which recognise and celebrate standout on-property individuals for their remarkable contribution to the Middle East hospitality sector. The Commercial Strategy Conference, which also takes place annually across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, debuted in the Middle East in 2018 as the only conference of its kind in the region. The event addresses the industry’s most pressing issues and hottest topics, with HSMAI’s advisory board – all longstanding, highly experienced industry experts – playing a significant role in the conference content. The event will be preceded by two educational courses – Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM) and Certified in Hospitality Business Acumen (CHBA) taking place on 24 and 25 November. Mona Faraj, Managing Director, HSMAI Middle East, said: “Our 2024 Middle East Commercial Strategy Conference will be the biggest and boldest yet, with more attendees, a wider range of discussion points and greater connection opportunities than ever before. Since the inception of the Revenue Optimization Conference (ROC) in the United States 20 years ago, we have grown, evolved and embraced our industry’s ever-changing dynamics, giving hotel executives the insight, experience and education to tackle the most important issues – and seize golden opportunities. …

Marriott International announced two openings in Türkiye, including Residence Inn by Marriott Trabzon and Delta Hotels by Marriott Antalya Lara. Located near Trabzon’s Kaşüstü beach and its famous historical city centre of Ortahisar, Residence Inn by Marriott Trabzon provides travellers effortless access to the natural wonders and historical attractions, such as Sümela Monastery and the scenic lake of Uzungöl. The hotel offers 88 spacious suites all featuring modern kitchens, separate living areas, workspaces and smart TVs – perfectly equipped for extended stays. Guests can fuel their day at the Garden Lobby Snack Bar and maintain their fitness routine at the 24/7 state-of-the-art gym. In Southwest Turkey, Delta Hotels by Marriott brings the brand’s ‘Simple Made Perfect’ mantra to the bustling city of Antalya with the opening of Delta Hotels by Marriott Antalya Lara. A beachfront hotel, Delta Hotels by Marriott Antalya Lara showcases a refreshed design accented with dark blue shades and walnut colour, evoking a resort vibe across its 192 intuitively designed guestrooms overlooking the stunning Mediterranean Sea. A foodie’s haven, the hotel boasts three restaurants, four bars and a café, including Horizon Bar, serving up creative cocktails against the breathtaking backdrop of Antalya’s scenery. Other facilities include a fitness centre, Spa, and outdoor and indoor pools.

Fairmont Hotel Riyadh boasts an impressive representation of women in its leadership team, highlighting the hotel’s commitment to diversity, bringing a wealth of experience and fresh perspective. The hotel’s female leaders play crucial roles in driving strategic initiatives, enhancing the guest experience, and fostering a culture of excellence, with their backgrounds and extensive expertise contributing to the property’s continued success and innovation. Stéphanie Timsit, Director of Operations, Stephanie brings over a decade of experience in luxury hospitality, specializing in pre-opening operations and project management, having successfully led projects at some of the world’s most luxurious properties. Stephanie’s journey embodies a relentless pursuit of excellence alongside a dedication to innovation within the hospitality realm, having devised seamless collaborations, drawing upon her extensive experience in project management and finance. From overseeing refurbishment project to navigating complex financial landscapes amidst challenging operational environments, she has consistently demonstrated an ability to lead cross-functional teams towards extraordinary outcomes. At Fairmont Hotel Riyadh, Stephanie spearheads daily operations, integrating all efforts across departments to elevate guests’ experiences to unprecedented levels of excellence. Joining her in steering the property towards success is Maya Hoteit, the Director of Sales and Marketing. With more than 18 years of experience, Maya has played a pivotal role in the success of various prestigious properties across the Middle East. Throughout her career, Maya has been responsible for developing hotel business plans and strategies, managing strategic account plans, and providing valuable customer insights to adapt to dynamic markets. She has demonstrated a strong ability to foster community and public relations, deliver exceptional customer service, and establish key practices for sales and marketing. Adding to her repertoire of achievements, Maya has coached and developed team …