Building on a bright future
Jad Shamseddin, COO, Aleph Hospitality, explains why diversifying its offerings and incorporating new concepts will help the Middle East’s hotel industry to tap into rising demand and edge the competition.
Uniting Forces between hotels and independent restaurants
With a two decades of revenue management expertise in the hospitality industry, award-winner Judith Cartwright, founder and managing director of Black Coral Consulting, provides food for thought for hoteliers looking to profit from foodie partnerships.
Cider on the rise
Cider has evolved from its humble beginnings to become one of the fastest-growing markets in the drinks industry. While the road is still long, the possibility of cider firmly establishing itself in the Middle East is undeniable, as Soha Frem, founder of WATA cider, points out.
Food delivery’s sustainable future
The F&B industry and food delivery services find themselves engaged in a tug of war, with businesses striving to increase profits while simultaneously considering the shift toward sustainability, which inevitably brings about operational changes. Tech disruptor and global entrepreneur Mohamed Al Fayed, CEO and co-founder of Grubtech, tackles the challenges faced by the industry to establish a delicate balance between financial growth and environmental consciousness.
The importance of mapping the food and beverage offerings in malls
Planning the placement of food and beverage units in malls requires careful consideration, as Christian Salloum, founder and managing director of BrandPortunity Hospitality Consultancy, points out.
Four tech trends that are shaping the new travel era
With travel worldwide in the midst of a resurge following more than two years of global uncertainty, travelers have understandably developed high expectations for their long-awaited trips. Joy Ghosh, head of commercial, hospitality, Indian Subcontinent, Middle East, Africa and Turkey at Amadeus, explains how tech innovations are enhancing the travel experience in 2023.
Leveraging AI to reach travelers
With leisure travel returning to pre-pandemic levels, travel and hospitality companies are looking for ways to reach travelers through personalized summer campaigns using AI-powered programmatic advertising. Tech, marketing and digital strategy expert Terry Kane, managing director ME and Africa of Trade Desk, tells us more.
Why coffee shops are causing a stir
While coffee culture might have been slower to take root in the Middle East than across some other regions, it has certainly caught up in recent years, with bustling cafés today in malls and on street corners offering countless interpretations of our favorite drink. Christian Salloum, founder and managing director of BrandPortunity Hospitality Consultancy, tells us what’s brewing on the regional coffee scene.
What do guests really want?
Today’s travelers have diverse wish lists when planning their trips, featuring ‘must includes’ that range from eco-conscious, locally focused stays and wellness experiences that go beyond spas to loyalty programs and apps to make quick, easy bookings. With a list of his own at the ready, Jad Shamseddin, COO of Aleph Hospitality, shares his thoughts on the criteria motivating guests in 2023 and what hotels need to do to attract them.
Jordan’s soaring tourism sector
Jordan has become a popular travel destination in the Middle East. It was ranked the sixth Arab country in the 2022 Travel and Tourism Development Index and listed within the top 10 tourist destinations in 2023 by the US Tour Operator Association. Maria Quintero, HVS’ associate – consulting and valuation, provides insights into Jordan’s success and the factors that make it an appealing choice for travelers worldwide.