The hospitality sector in the Middle East is witnessing new developments as landmark announcements and partnerships were made at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS). The three-day event, which concluded today at Hilton Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, gathered hospitality investment visionaries and senior decision-makers in the region.
The event also honored influential hospitality figures in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Dr. Amine E. Moukarzel, Ph.D., president of Golden Tulip – MENA/Louvre Hotels Group, and Guido E. De Wilde, hospitality advisor at Wasl Hospitality, received the Future Hospitality Summit Leadership Award.
“It is an absolute privilege to honor these two outstanding leaders at the 2023 FHS Awards. The achievements and contributions by Amine and Guido have been – and will continue to be – fundamental to the success of the Middle East’s world-leading, ever-evolving hospitality industry,” remarked Jonathan Worsley. He is the chairman of The Bench, which is the organizer of FHS.
Expansion plans
During the event, Radisson Hotel Group (RHG), which operates in EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) and APAC (Asia-Pacific), unveiled ambitious plans to expand its businesses in the Middle East. During FHS, the company revealed that it plans to open 100 hotels in the region by 2026, eventually hitting 150 by 2030.
This underscores the hotel group’s optimistic outlook in the region’s growing hospitality and tourism sector. RHG particularly focuses on Saudi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), all while making great strides in the wider region.
Leading its slew of hotel developments is the soon-to-be-opened Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher East in the holy city of Makkah.
Speaking at the event, RHS executive Elie Milky shared, Our commitment to excellence drives us to unveil more hotels with the addition of more than 11 properties exceeding 2,000 keys before the year concludes. As we strengthen our presence, we eagerly anticipate introducing exceptional new properties, from the strategic Park Inn by Radisson Makkah Thakher East, set to redefine accommodation in holy cities, to our upcoming properties elsewhere in the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia, as well as in Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Pakistan, and Kuwait.”
He is the vice president of development in the Middle East, Greece, Cyprus, and Pakistan.
Read: Saudi launches new tourist destination targeting 2 million visitors annually
Key partnerships
Meanwhile, Boutique Group, a hospitality company owned by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund, is embarking on an innovative partnership with Sommet Education. Sommet Education is an international network of hospitality management and culinary arts schools.
The two inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Landmark industry developments seen at the Future Hospitality Summit. Their goal is to transform historic and cultural places into ultra-luxury boutique hotels. In this partnership, Sommet Education will craft bespoke training pathways for Boutique Group employees.
Commenting on the MoU, Boutique Group Chief Executive Officer Mark De Cocinis noted that Sommet’s “commitment to delivering top-tier hospitality management and culinary arts schooling directly aligns with our goals of cultivating industry professionals and fuels my enthusiasm for fostering Saudi talents.”
Additionally, Accor, the region’s largest hospitality group, sealed a new partnership with Fenix Companies Group. This move aspires to strengthen the company’s footprint across Türkiye, with Swissôtel Antalya Kalkan set to open in 2025.
“We are proud to be working together to bring Swissôtel Antalya Kalkan to Türkiye to be able to showcase the natural beauty and hospitality that our country has to offer. This partnership represents an exciting venture that capitalizes on Fenix’s expertise and Accor’s global reputation to elevate the hospitality landscape in the Mediterranean region,” stated, Eyup Mavi, group chairman of Fenix Companies Group.
Valor Hospitality Partners Middle East, a firm specializing in comprehensive hotel management, also entered into an MoU with Petra Sea Resort owners. The 20-hectare property is located in Batumi, Georgia, along the Black Sea coastline. With the deal, this destination is poised to become an exclusive lifestyle venture. It will come complete with branded hotels, branded serviced apartments, and several branded and unbranded residential accommodations.
The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge
The Future Hospitality Summit also saw the culmination of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC). This competition is an initiative of Hotelschool The Hague.
First place went to Politecnico di Milano’s team for their innovative concept, “HÒSTRAKA.” The project envisions a floating resort dedicated to sustainable diving and sea experiences. It also aims to protect the marine ecosystem while providing exceptional adventures. The team included Giulia Ettori, Rosanna Caldarella, Davide Grasso, and Elisa Schembri.
Meanwhile, Nanyang Technological University Singapore and Hotelschool The Hague bagged second place for their “Nexus” project. Third place went to Cornell University for its “Al Marjan” concept.
SHC, an annual global student competition, is also supported by NEOM Hotel Development. The group will host the winning team in the northwest region of Saudi. During their visit, they will gain direct exposure to cities and destinations impacting the evolution of the NEOM region.
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