The hospitality industry sits at the crossroads of experience and responsibility. As utilities, energy, and resource costs rise, and as travelers grow more discerning about their environmental footprint, I believe hotels that prioritize sustainable operations are positioning themselves as sector leaders. At STORY Hospitality, sustainability is woven into both the...
From hotels to high fashion, Armani’s luxury empire
Milan, Italy - Giorgio Armani's death leaves a vacuum at the top of his billion-dollar luxury business, an independent empire he built up over 50 years spanning hotels to haute couture. Sprawling empire Born into a modest family in northern Italy, Armani, who died on Thursday aged 91, became one...
Future-proofing hospitality asset value needs financial rigor with emotional intelligence
The GCC’s luxury hospitality sector has become a global benchmark, yet behind every polished facade lies an increasingly complex financial reality. Costs are rising, investor expectations are shifting, and technological disruption continues to redefine both guest expectations and operational models. At the heart of this transformation is a simple but...
How Eco-Conscious Practices Are Shaping the Future of Luxury Spas?
In recent years, ‘wellness’ has come to mean many things for hotel operators. The term encompasses guest-centric experiences, environmental initiatives and architectural innovations – extending beyond the spa or health facilities to holistically shape the entire hotel journey. As Area Director of Spa & Wellness, Middle East with Mandarin Oriental...
Equinox and NEOM announce Equinox Resort Treyam in Magna
New York, US -- Luxury hospitality group Equinox Hotels has announced plans for the opening of Equinox Resort Treyam, one of Magna's twelve destinations, located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. Magna's destinations, including Treyam, are part of NEOM, the evolving regional development, taking shape in northwest Saudi...Land transport of goods leads Saudi commercial registrations in Q4
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi Arabia witnessed a surge in commercial registrations across various business sectors in the last quarter of 2023, with land transport of goods leading the way, the Kingdom's Ministry of Commerce said Wednesday. Land transport of goods witnessing a remarkable increase. By the end of Q4...Dubai hotel occupancy up 3.4% to reach 90.8 percent in Feb
Dubai, UAE -- Dubai hotels achieved a 3.4 percent year-on-year growth in occupancy levels, reaching 90.8 percent, according to preliminary data for February released by CoStar, a provider of global real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces. Other key metrics also showed positive growth, with the average daily rate (ADR)...
Saudi Arabia expects to attract 150 million visitors by 2030
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabia aims to attract 150 million visitors by 2030, with the tourism sector expected to contribute SR750 billion ($200 billion) to the national economy, the kingdom's Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb said during his address at the Real Estate Future Forum in Riyadh on Monday....
Demand for lifestyle experiences in GCC has increased: SHG CEO
Dubai, UAE -- Sunset Hospitality Group (SHG) is more than just a collection of hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs. Renowned for crafting "lifestyle hospitality experiences," SHG blends luxury, entertainment and local flavor. TRENDS spoke with Antonio Gonzalez, CEO of Sunset Hospitality Group, about the Group's vision and how it has steadily...
ADQ, ADNEC Group sign agreements
They will buy 40.5% stake in TMG Holding’s hospitality business.
Hotels in UAE generate revenues of US$7bn in first seven months, says minister
ABU DHABI, UAE - In the first seven months of the year, hotel establishments in the UAE generated revenues of US$7 billion (AED 26 billion), said Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Head of the Emirates Tourism Council. The hotels witnessed a growth of up to 24...
NEOM inks deal with Marriott International
Under the deal, two luxury hotels will be built in Trojena.
Gulf Hotels Group profit up
It posted a jump in net profit in Q2 to US$2.92 million.ADGM adopts Abu Dhabi onshore hotel and tourism legislation
Abu Dhabi, UAE -- Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has issued the ADGM Hotel and Tourism Regulations 2023 (Tourism Regulations), under which the Market will adopt the Abu Dhabi onshore tourism legislation into its legislative framework. The onshore tourism legislation includes the regulations and rules concerning hotels and tourism sectors...
Saudi Catering, RSG ink pacts
The contracts are valid for 20 years, said Saudi Catering.Ajman hotels posts 3% increase in revenues in Q1 2023
AJMAN, UAE - Ajman hotels and serviced apartments recorded a three percent growth in hotel revenues in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022. The increase occurred mostly due to higher demand that is pushing the Average Daily Room (ADR) Rate, making investment in hotels...Abu Dhabi aims to draw 24 million visitors by end of 2023
Abu Dhabi, UAE--The emirate of Abu Dhabi is looking to draw some 24 million visitors by the end of 2023, six million more than it succeeded to attract last year. Ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2023, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has announced...
Qatar Tourism head says country expects over 5m visitors in 2023
DOHA, QATAR - Qatar expects more than five million people to visit the Gulf state in 2023 despite a post-World Cup lull, its tourism chief said on Sunday. Akbar Al-Baker, head of Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism, admitted that hotels had fallen quiet after the World Cup final on December 19....Events keep hotel occupancy high in Saudi Arabia
Over the next decade, the Kingdom's tourism industry is projected to develop at an annual rate of 11 percent, making it the region's fastest-growing tourism market.
Abu Dhabi hotels host 4.1m visitors in 2022, earning US$1.4bn
Abu Dhabi, UAE-- Hotels across Abu Dhabi have posted a 24 percent growth in occupancy to 4.1 million visitors during 2022, according to data shared by the Department of Culture and Tourism. Hotel revenues climbed by 23% from the previous year to $1.47 billion in 2022. The statistics showed that...
RAKTDA simplifies procedure for getting permits for Rak Holiday Homes system
RAS AL KHAIMAH, UAE- Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) has announced updates to its holiday homes system. RAKTDA has simplified the process for homeowners and operators to acquire permits and convert their units into perfect holiday homes for travelers visiting Ras Al Khaimah. The updates are part of...
Residential properties in UAE remain key attraction for international real estate investors
Experts attribute the main reasons for the increase in the real estate demand to the UAE government's numerous initiatives and the high income level of investors.
Qatar throws open new hotels, resorts to host football fans
Doha, Qatar— Qatar Tourism has thrown open more than 20 hotels, resorts and new tourist destinations in the country ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The projects and tourist attractions will be ready to receive football fans from next month. In a statement on Sunday, Qatar Tourism stated...Qatar World Cup opens new room for UAE hospitality
Hotels in Dubai are reporting an increase in room bookings ahead of the Qatar World Cup 2022, with many expecting to be fully booked during the international football event.Egypt adopting Russian Mir payment system to boost tourism, trade
The Central Bank of Egypt in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Finance, will allow banks across Egypt to access the Russian Mir payment card system later in September.
Qatar World Cup to kick up region’s economic growth
The FIFA World Cup, which is likely to boost tourism across GCC, is all set to increase revenues for Gulf airlines, hotel and restaurant industries and domestic transportation.
ADNEC adopts new corporate identity to support economic diversification
A global hub for major events, ADNEC centre has infrastructure, flexible teams and facilities to provide key services through a number of companies.Hotel occupancy rate points to UAE tourism recovery
The total number of hotel guests in the UAE rose to 10.5 million during the first half of 2022, up from 8.3 million during the same period last year, latest research by Colliers suggests.
GCC hospitality looks at more sustainable practices
'Eco-friendly travelers' are gradually putting pressure on hospitality businesses in the Gulf region to incorporate green concepts and sustainability practices into service delivery.
World Cup officials target ‘price-gouging’ as 1.2m tickets sold
Costs soar for the Qatari capital's limited accommodation. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said there were five million requests for tickets for the final at the 80,000-seat Lusail stadium, indicating feverish demand for the first World Cup in the Middle East.Services assist Saudi economy recover, diversify fast
The Kingdom's service sector is expected to grow rapidly once the major Vision 2030 tourism and entertainment projects - Qiddiya, the Red Sea project, NEOM, Al-Ula - are completed.Not just business hub, Dubai is music, food destination too
The locals, residents, and visitors have once again started flocking to museums, historical and heritage sites, and public libraries, according to DCAA data. Trips to these locations totaled 521,753 during 2021, with heritage sites accounting for half of those visits, followed by libraries at 39 percent and museums at 11...
Empower provides district cooling services to 17% of the hotels in Dubai
Empower revealed this at the launch of the ‘Arabian Travel Market 2022’, which is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.UAE hotel industry basks in festive Ramadan spirit
Now, hotel bookings will rise for Eid Al-Fitr, with Gulf markets predicted to see a considerable spike in travel bookings from April 28 to May 5, 2022, which coincides with the resumption of large exhibitions in several GCC capitals.UAE restores Ramadan goodwill with tough fight against COVID-19
While iftar tents are reinstated this year for government and licensed entities, authorities have advised that the group iftars and suhoor gatherings should be limited to family members in the same household.The Bukhatir Group of UAE revives Tunisia $5bn construction project
The Bukhatir Group of the United Arab Emirates announced Thursday the relaunch of a $5 billion real-estate project in Tunisia, expected to boost the North African country's struggling economy. The initiative is expected to bolster the economy, as the country grapples with high public debt, inflation and unemployment.
Google Maps and Tripadvisor nix war news in reviews
Both services face a campaign by activists to use online reviews of businesses such as restaurants to get news of the war to Russians being fed information from the government.GCC eyes floating hotels, eateries to buoy tourism
Floating restaurants and hotels could be a significant supporting player as the GCC region aspires to increase its footprint as a global tourism hub.Saudi launches Boutique Group to convert palaces into ultra-luxury hotels
Boutique Group, a new hospitality brand that will manage and convert a collection of iconic historic and cultural palaces in Saudi Arabia into ultra-luxury boutique hotels, was launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Saudi media reports said the company will revive the heritage and culture...UAE tax authority tour ensures readiness of tourist VAT recovery scheme
The Federal Tax Authority of the UAE has organized field tours to ensure the readiness of Self-Service Kiosks, which allow tourists to recover Value Added Tax on their purchases. The kiosks have been placed at all exit ports included in the VAT Refund Scheme for Tourists. Tourists can submit their...
UAE investors behind Bahrain’s $492m tourism investment
Investments from UAE-based property developers helped Bahrain’s tourism sector remain buoyant during the pandemic.Oman sets terms for top hotels to open event halls
Four and five-star hotels in Oman may open meeting and celebration halls, but must follow certain restrictions.UAE hotel occupancy leaps up as tourists return
In a sign of normalcy returning, hotels across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reported a significant rise in occupancy rates in the first half of this year.
Dubai hotels may work full capacity
Under new Covid-19 directions for tourism sector, the number of participants in community events has been increased to 2,500 for indoor activities and 5,000 for outdoor functions with no mandatory vaccination.
16,000 more Palestinians to get work permits in Israel
Jobs in Israel offer higher wages but Palestinians complain they do not get paid as much as their Israeli counterparts or enjoy similar labor protections.16000 more Palestinians to get work permits in Israel
Jobs in Israel offer higher wages but Palestinians complain they do not get paid as much as their Israeli counterparts.
GCC sees $27bn worth of hotel projects lined up
The GCC has hotel investments worth $27 billion in the pipeline, said the Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC)
Seera, Kaden to launch hotels across Saudi Arabia
The result of the deal is a joint venture that will manage and set up hotels in various projects by Kaden Investment throughout the country The first of these hotels will be launched at the Riyadh Front business park Travel and tourism company Seera Group and Kaden Investment have signed...
