Midscale and economy: the new kids on the block
Firmly established as a hospitality investment hotspot, the GCC is now witnessing new industry trends, including growth beyond the luxury segment. These efforts to boost visitor numbers by broadening the tourism offering are already paying dividends in key regional destinations, as Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, explains.
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.
Saudi Arabia leads the way for new projects
A notable shift has occurred in the regional hotel construction landscape, which saw the UAE relinquishing its position as the leader in hotels under construction.
What does post-pandemic travel look like?
After several years of record lows and disruption, 2022 has marked the dawn of a new era for global tourism and hospitality. But even that does not come without its challenges, as Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, explains.
New projects redefining the GCC hotel landscape
The hotel industry never stands still, which is ironic when you consider that as an industry, it encourages clients to sit back and relax! Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, gives us the lowdown on the fast-paced GCC hotel market, which is definitely raring to go.
The changing role of hotels
Although we are on the path to recovery, the hospitality industry barely resembles its pre- Covid-19 state. Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, examines today’s hotel sector and emphasizes the need for change.
How events are fueling hotel performance
Fall and winter are traditionally high seasons for tourism in the Middle East. As such, an important driver o f demand has always been events. Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, takes a look at how the region’s calendar of events is shaping up.
Hospitality 2020: a year to remember or one to forget?
While Covid-19 hit the hospitality industry hard, hotel markets in the Arab world produced intriguing results. Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, takes a closer look at the figures to determine the real impact of the coronavirus on the Middle East’s hospitality sector.
UAE Hospitality Reviewed, Restructured, Re-emerging
In 2020, the tourism sector grappled with what has been described as a “black swan event” — the Covid-19 pandemic. Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, explores the way in which the UAE has responded to the threat and supported the hospitality industry.
On the up: mapping out east Africa’s potential
It’s true that East Africa’s travel, tourism and hospitality sectors have experienced numerous ups and downs in recent years. However, there are positive signs of growth, as Thuku Kimani, manager of hotels MENA at Colliers International, points out.