Eco style: sustainable interior design trends
After years of lockdowns and pandemic-related anxiety, increased consumer awareness of all things sustainable, purposeful and healthy has set new standards for hospitality enterprises. Sara Khairallah, founder and principal interior architect at SK Touch, looks at design through green-tinted glasses and identifies the practices that are shaping the industry.
Project Planning 101
Project planning is no easy feat, especially in business. Industry professional Chirine Salha outlines the fundamentals of getting a project off the ground and the key to ensuring it runs smoothly.
Insight into the summer performance of the ME hospitality sector
The June 2022 report of the EY Middle East hotel benchmark survey, which covers occupancy and average rate performance in key hotel markets across selected countries and cities in the Middle East on a monthly and year-to-date basis, has provided readers an insight into the Middle East’s overall hospitality performance.
5 ways to overcome burnout
Spending countless hours working from the office or from home on laptops, tablets and phones can be a recipe for disaster. Mark Dickinson of DONE! Hospitality Training Solutions provides practical tips on how to avoid the dreaded burnout.
What travelers expect from hotel spas in terms of architecture and design
Wellness is the fastest-growing tourism segment, so it comes as no surprise that hotels are investing more in their spa facilities. Luxury interior designer Sybille de Margerie tells us what’s hot, and what’s not, in spa design.
Back to the land of the pharaohs
Egypt appears to be getting back on its feet after years of economic turmoil and social unrest, intensified by the pandemic. Nada Alameddine, managing partner at Hodema consulting services, shares her insights on tourism recovery and what the regional power of North Africa is likely to witness in terms of foreign arrivals in 2022 and beyond.
Let’s talk art: Lebanon’s guesthouses and boutique hotels
Considered the art hub of the Middle East, Beirut — a city that has witnessed immense challenges over the past few years — has been upping its game in the boutique hotel world to offer guests something a little different. Yara Moukarzel, director of operations of L’Hôte Libanais, takes a closer look at how hotels in the capital and around Lebanon are using this powerful medium to their advantage.
Studying hospitality in the UAE and KSA
With mega- and giga-projects becoming increasingly typical of the Middle East’s hospitality landscape, Mansoor Ahmed, executive director and head of development solutions healthcare, education and PPP at Colliers in the Middle East and Africa region, lifts the lid on tourism education in the UAE and KSA, and why demand for skilled hospitality labor looks set to rise.
Seeking travel inspiration: the role of social media
TikTok is an untapped goldmine for tourism marketing. From tour videos to unconventional experiences, Dr. Maria Frangieh, CEO of Socialprise, explains why this social media platform is an essential tool, especially for brands looking to engage with younger consumers.
UAE country report: the great rebound
While most countries are back to pre-pandemic growth after two years of economic turmoil, the United Arab Emirates is reaping the rewards of its early vaccination efforts and measures to support hard-hit sectors. Nada Alameddine, managing partner at Hodema consulting services, paints a promising picture of the Emirates’ growth path and the exciting new development in its hospitality offering.