?? Middle East Hospitality Marketing News - 11th March 2024

Welcome to Middle East Hospitality Marketing News, where we help you stay up-to-date with the region's latest trends, industry forces, and expert insights.

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New Hotel Openings

Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat Opens

The latest addition to the Middle Eastern hospitality scene, Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat, promises an elevated escape for guests. The luxurious adult-only property boasts 22 spacious guest rooms and suites with captivating views of the Gulf. The retreat's architecture is inspired by the timeless design of its namesake island, with low-lying white buildings blending seamlessly into the beach. Source: Hotel News Resource

New Inventory

??? Accor Discusses Financing Orient Express Superyachts with Dubai Holding

French hotel group Accor is in talks with Dubai Holding to fund the development of two luxury cruise liners under the Orient Express brand. The partnership would allow Accor to continue its "asset-light" strategy while expanding its presence in the luxury market through hotels and trains under the Orient Express brand. The two superyachts, set to launch in 2026 and 2027, will offer an exclusive experience with only 54 suites onboard and tickets costing up to €20,000. Talks with Dubai Holding are advanced, but discussions with other parties have also occurred. Source: FT

?? Hilton Sets Ambitious Goal to Expand Fourfold in Saudi Arabia

Hilton has announced plans to significantly expand its presence in Saudi Arabia, with over 60 new hotels set to open in major cities and regional tourism destinations. This development follows a recent meeting between Hilton's president and CEO, Chris Nassetta, and the country's Ministry of Tourism. During the visit, Nassetta also inaugurated The Hotel Galleria Jeddah and signed agreements for three new properties with Dan Company.

Source: Business Traveller

???♂? NEOM Unveils Gidori: The New Golf Community Destination

NEOM's Board of Directors has revealed Gidori, a new private golf community located in the coastal hills along the Gulf of Aqaba, as the latest addition to the region's development in northwest Saudi Arabia. Gidori aims to blend luxury living with sports and leisure, featuring ambitious architecture that harmonises with the natural scenery. It offers luxury hospitality, residences, and a beach-front complex with 190 sea-view apartments, dining options, retail stores, and gardens. The community includes an 18-hole championship golf course, a clubhouse, a golf academy, 200 private villas and homes, and an 80-room boutique hotel with luxury amenities.

Source: TravelDailyNews International

Market Trends

?? Ajman on the Rise: 2030 Plan for a City Makeover

The future of Ajman is set to be transformed with the launch of Ajman Vision 2030. This ambitious project, announced by HH Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi and HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, aims to put the humble emirate on the map. Based on eight fundamental principles, including sustainability and community centrality, Ajman Vision 2030 will serve as a foundation for impactful projects. A recent survey revealed a desire for more social, sports, cultural, and artistic activities in the emirate, and the project aims to deliver just that. With a focus on community programs, Ajman Vision 2030 plans to increase artistic, cultural, and sports activities by 400% by 2030. Local artists and athletes will be supported in this effort, and cultural heritage will be protected and developed.?

Source: WhatsOn

?? Saudi Arabia Embarks on Major Investment Drive for Global Tourism Leadership

The Saudi Minister of Tourism has unveiled an ambitious program to boost the country's tourism sector. The Tourism Investment Enabler Program (TIEP) will make it easier and more cost-effective for international and local investors to do business in Saudi tourism. The flagship initiative, Hospitality Investment Enablers, will facilitate and increase the supply of accommodation capacity in targeted tourism destinations, creating 120,000 new jobs and positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading global tourism destination. The initiative is expected to catalyse private investments of up to SAR 42 billion ($11 billion) and drive an annual GDP increase of SAR 16 billion ($4 billion) by 2030. Key enablers include:

• Facilitating access to government-owned land.
• Streamlining business operations.
• Providing favourable investment incentives.

With this new program, the Saudi tourism sector is set to experience significant growth, making it an attractive investment opportunity for both local and international investors. Source: Hospitality Net?

?? OMNES Sees Highest Demand for Saudi Influencers

In 2023, OMNES Influencers, a UAE-based digital platform offering influencer marketing services, observed a significant trend towards Saudi influencers, who accounted for over half of all searches on the platform and were used by more than 29,000 users. This trend underscores the influential role of Saudi content creators in marketing, especially within the tourism and hospitality sectors, which saw a notable increase in interest. The food and beverage and e-commerce retail sectors were highlighted as key areas of influencer impact. The global influencer market is expected to reach around $24 billion by 2024, reflecting its growing role in fostering advertiser-audience engagement and trust.

Source: Arabian Business

?? China Southern Adds New Flights to Doha in Latest Expansion

China Southern Airlines has announced a new direct route to Doha from Guangzhou, with four weekly flights starting on April 22. The flights will be operated by their state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, offering a comfortable travel experience with a variety of seating options. This news comes as Qatar Airways' codeshare partner, making it the latest addition to a growing list of airlines launching services to Doha. With over 200 destinations worldwide, China Southern Airlines is one of China's largest airlines, and its partnership with Qatar Airways will further strengthen the connectivity between China and the Middle East. Source: Business Traveller

Customer Experience

?? Etihad and Armani Debut Luxurious New In-Flight Amenity Kits

Luxury and style are synonymous with the Middle East, so Etihad has debuted their new amenity kits. These kits are available in The Residence and First Class and feature a stylish Giorgio Armani and Etihad-branded folio bag, perfect for carrying essential documents or electronics. But it's not just about looks - the kits also include rejuvenating products from ESPA, such as a hydrating face mist and restful pulse point oil, to help travellers relax during their flight. To complete the experience, passengers will receive bespoke Giorgio Armani and Etihad loungewear and slippers inspired by the Abu Dhabi skyline. Source: WhatsOn

?? FIVE Palm Jumeirah Introduces New CBD Oil Massage Service

Wellness space REFIVE at FIVE Palm Jumeirah is offering Dubai's first CBD-based massages and facials. Developed by OTO, these treatments aim to aid with sleep, muscle relaxation, and restoring a sense of calm or focus. CBD oil is a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant, meaning while the massage will leave you feeling ultra-relaxed, it won't make you high. Source: Cosmopolitan Middle East

??? Saudi Arabia's AIUIa Campaign Showcases National Heritage Sites

AlUla, Saudi Arabia's cultural tourism site, with its ancient ruins and luxurious hotels, is launching a global brand campaign, "Forever Revitalising", in six languages. This campaign is a departure from the trend of using international celebrities, instead focusing on showcasing the natural beauty of AlUla and its local culture. The messaging focuses on a serene and authentic travel experience. The crown jewel of AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. With recent developments such as the Habitas Hotel, AlUla is poised to become a must-visit destination for travellers. Source: Skift

Food & Beverage

?? Gulfood 2024 Spotlights Beverage Innovation with Focus on Sustainability and Convenience

The 2024 Gulfood Trade Fair in Dubai highlighted the increasing demand for health, well-being, and sustainability among consumers in the region. This has opened up opportunities for exporters to the Middle East, particularly the UAE, which currently imports about 80% of its food and beverage needs to cater to its growing population and millions of tourists. The event, held from February 19 to 23 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, showcased a variety of innovative concepts in ambient drinks, mocktails, and functional ingredients. With the rise of conscious consumerism, it is essential to stay ahead of the competition and continually innovate to meet the evolving demands of consumers in the Middle East. Source: Food Ingredients First

??? Qatar Airways Commits to Serving Only Fresh In-Flight Meals

Qatar Airways has announced that it does not freeze any in-flight food. This goes against the common perception of airline food being frozen and highlights the airline's dedication to providing a premium dining experience. Avoiding freezing meals is not just a preference but a strategic business move. Frozen meals often sacrifice taste, texture, and nutritional value, all essential to Qatar Airways' reputation as the 'The World's Best Business Class' for ten years in a row. By investing in fresh ingredients and meticulous preparation, the airline ensures passengers have a pleasant flight and a memorable dining experience. Source: Forbes

?? Shark Tank's Buena Papa and EKUI Plus to Launch Franchises in the UAE

Shark Tank's Buena Papa Fry Bar is partnering with EKUI Plus, a leading franchise and retail management consulting firm. The partnership, led by Nicolas Rubeiz and Jean Claude Gureghian, aims to bring Buena Papa's delectable menu to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Middle East region. With EKUI Plus's expertise in launching successful international brands, Buena Papa is set to make a mark in the Middle Eastern market. Source: Restaurant Magazine

?? Qatar's Health Ministry Introduces Five New E-Services for Food Safety

Qatar's Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has taken another step towards digitising its food safety system by launching five new electronic services under its e-system, Watheq. These services, including food consignment inspection for export and re-export, aim to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in the food control process. According to MoPH, these new services are part of their continuous efforts to develop and automate the food safety system and improve procedures for all stakeholders. These new services will significantly enhance the processes of inspecting food consignments at ports and verifying health certificates for exported or re-exported food. Source: Doha News

That’s a wrap for the week = do let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for future editions. Here's to Your Success ??

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