6 sustainable travel trends on luxury travel lovers’
Gone are the days when luxury travel was all about opulence and indulgence. Today’s high-end travelers are instead looking for meaningful experiences that align with their values. Michael Donald, co-founder of Halo Business Consulting Ltd, highlights six luxury travel trends that are ripe for development across the region.
6 trends defining new regional hotel openings
A major shift is underway in high-end hospitality as hoteliers move to meet the demands of visitors who are looking for experiences rather than excessive extravagance. And the good news is that MENA is at the forefront of this transformation. Diogo Ildefonso, general manager at Glee Hospitality Solutions, spotlights six project-pipeline trends to watch that are already gaining traction region-wide.
Efficiency vs. emotion: why restaurant labor is at a crossroads
Automation may be firmly entrenched in F&B operations worldwide, but a rebalancing of the scales now appears to be underway. Mark Dickinson, of DONE! Hospitality Training Solutions believes this return to center is a timely reminder that technology should serve us – not replace us.
Hotel growth: framing the funding forces of the future
Gone are the days when regional investors had to rely on traditional bank financing for major hospitality developments. Today, new capital pathways are emerging at pace across the Middle East, offering business leaders alternative funding options for tomorrow’s projects. Jonathan Worsley, chairman of The Bench and organizer of the Future Hospitality Summit, caught up with three industry experts to explore how these evolving financing models are reshaping regional hotel investment decisions and driving new growth.
Functional food: the new ingredient for F&B success
Hospitality is in the midst of a revolution rooted in wellness and health-focused innovation. Fresh from a panel debate that explored this topical issue, Christian Salloum, managing director of BrandPortunity F&B Consulting, explains why products that were once mostly found in health-food stores have now gone mainstream, from beetroot hummus to cacao-nib granola.
Why restaurants must go digital-first
In a world where experience, speed and storytelling define consumer choices, restaurants born from bricks are now being eclipsed by restaurants born from bandwidth. Judith Cartwright, founder at Black Coral Consulting, explains why eateries today are all about content, community and cultural equity.
A classic comeback: inside British cuisine’s renaissance
Brimming with dishes that showcase local, sustainably sourced ingredients, Britain’s culinary scene is enjoying a well-deserved revival. Tom Aikens, chef and proprietor at Muse, explains how inspired culinary creatives are delighting diners countrywide by reinterpreting Best-of-British classics.
9 ways that AI can help hotel investors make smarter decisions
In the rapidly evolving digital era, smart technology is redefining how project investment decisions are made, offering business leaders the advantage of data-driven precision. Abdul Kader Saadi, founder and managing director at Eighty6, shares his nine-point checklist outlining how AI can support hotel investors and give them a strategic edge.
Midscale momentum: why investors are betting on the middle ground
Offering a winning combination of affordability, comfort and convenience, mid-market hotels are flourishing, often outpacing other key segments when it comes to growth. Jad Shamseddin, COO at Aleph Hospitality, explains why these sometimes overlooked properties are fast becoming the strategic investment choice for forward-thinking investors.
Closer to home: domestic tourism has its day
Tourism is undoubtedly enjoying a post-pandemic boom. However, travel patterns are changing, with a rising number of vacationers choosing to spend time nearer to where they live. Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services, shares his thoughts on how the hospitality industry can tap into this growing trend.
