All eyes on the final of the Elle & Vire Professionnel Cream Cheese Competition in the GCC
On January 26, 2024, Elle & Vire’s Professionnel Cream Cheese Competition final in the GCC took place in partnership with the award-winning ICCA, Dubai. Renowned Ambassadors, chefs Karim Bourgi, Francois Daubinet and Sergio Freitas of ICCA judged the finalists in the competition.
Bright outlook for GCC hotel industry
Having cemented its status as a global tourist destination, the region is well placed to attract new investment for the industry, following a swift post-pandemic rebound marked by impressive visitor numbers, huge project pipelines and the introduction of business-friendly initiatives, as Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, explains.
Oman: a unique gem in the GCC
Justin Kenny, consultant at Colliers for the Hotels MENA Region, explains how the sultanate is carving its own identity as an attractive destination with a diverse offering, despite tough competition from its neighbors.
Inside SISBAN with Tariq Saleh Altwuajiry
Tariq Saleh Altwuajiry, the GCC managing director of SISBAN, is a successful business leader in Saudi Arabia. With almost 25 years of practical experience in investments and the private sector, Altwuajiry gives us the lowdown on SISBAN.
Morocco: more than meets the eye
With its unique culture, landscapes and culinary riches, Morocco is among the world’s most enchanting countries. Hala Matar Choufany, president for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia at HVS, describes the hospitality scene in the North African jewel and what makes it such an intriguing tourism destination.
Homegrown Akiba Dori expands beyond the GCC
Dubai homegrown Japanese concept Akiba Dori has kicked off its fifth anniversary with a franchise development agreement for 30 locations in India. Following the restaurant’s successful expansion streak, with five branches launched in the GCC within the last five years, Akiba Dori’s modern Japanese street food and Tokyo-style pizza have been enjoyed over the last five years in the UAE and, most recently, Saudi Arabia.
How major sporting events are spurring growth in the GCC
Over the past decade, the GCC region has transformed from a business destination to an experiential one, evidenced by an increase in international arrivals, private investments and government visions, initiatives and developments. Hala Matar Choufany, president for HVS Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and managing partner of HVS Dubai, outlines the market developments and what’s on the horizon.
7 Management sets its sight on the GCC after massive UAE expansion
Renowned F&B titan 7 Management has dominated the hospitality scene in Riyadh, Beirut, Dubai and Doha, with an array of standout Middle Eastern brands, such as Café Beirut, February 30, Lucia’s, Antika and Sayf.
Alternative lodging: from refined to rustic
Encouraging a new wave of small hotels and local entrepreneurial ventures while valuing heritage and the environment is something Daniel During, principal and managing director of Thomas Klein International, feels strongly about. Here, he describes what the Middle East’s hospitality sector should be focusing on if it is to compete with other markets.
The future of hospitality in the GCC
Rabih Fakhreddine, the founder and CEO of 7 Management, explores the rapid growth in hospitality in the Gulf.