?? Middle East Hospitality Marketing News

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

I’m your host Dawn Gribble, an award-winning independent hospitality marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience.? I support hotels and restaurants with digital marketing strategies, audits, research and customer experience assessments. I bring you the latest hospitality industry insights each week to help you outshine the competition.?

Let's Check In ?

New Hotel Openings

?? Saudi's Ritz Carlton One of the Most Expensive

With rates starting at $3,431 per night, Njuma surpasses even the most exclusive properties in Dubai and the Maldives. This small, high-end resort offers 63 villas set over the water and operated by Marriott, making it the most luxurious brand in their portfolio. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve is just one of many developments in Saudi Arabia's growing tourism industry, with plans to open 16 hotels by 2025 and another 34 by 2030. (RC )

??? Abu Dhabi's Santorini Unveiled

Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi retreat is a new luxurious resort that pays homage to the famous Greek island. The adults-only resort offers 22 keys starting at $735 per night. The property has terraces, patios, and sea views. The hotel is positioned as a serene escape for couples looking for a romantic getaway. The circular cocktail bar and cigar lounge are ancient Greece-themed, with warrior helmets and wall frescoes. The hotel has two restaurants, one with a traditional Greek menu and the other with Arabic cuisine. (An )

New Inventory

?? Aman Resorts Set to Open Premiere Dubai Location

Luxury hospitality brand Aman Resorts is set to make its mark in the UAE through its first property, Aman Dubai. The resort, designed by renowned Kerry Hill Architects, will offer stunning views of the beach and city skyline, blending natural materials with the brand's signature contemporary style. This highly anticipated project marks Aman's expansion into the Middle East, adding 34 properties in 20 countries to their portfolio. (Am )

??? Emirates Chairman Leads New Dubai Development Firm

Dubai's real estate and hospitality industries are set to undergo significant changes as two of its most prominent developers, Nakheel and Meydan, merge and come under the umbrella of Dubai Holding, overseen by Emirates Group chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The move, announced by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to create a diverse global economic entity focusing on real estate, tourism, and hospitality. (Sk)

?? IHG Contributes to Saudi Arabia's 2030 Vision

InterContinental Hotels continues to expand its presence in the Middle East by adding two new hotels in Riyadh. The move is part of KSA's ambitious Vision 2030 plan to boost its tourism sector. Two new hotels are being built in Riyadh KAFD. The Regent Riyadh KAFD will have 250 rooms, a grand ballroom, meeting rooms, a Regent spa, a fitness facility, and three restaurants. The InterContinental Riyadh KAFD will be larger with 400 rooms, five food and beverage outlets, a fitness centre, a swimming pool, an indoor recreation area, conferencing facilities, and a nearby business centre. (IHG )

Hospitality Marketing

? Saudi Tourism Uses Lionel Messi to Address Perceptions

Saudi Arabia's latest tourism campaign featuring soccer star Lionel Messi aims to break outdated stereotypes and showcase the country's welcoming and diverse offerings. Saudi Arabia is seeing growth in all markets, including among European travellers. The $25 million Messi marketing campaign has successfully attracted attention to the country. (AN )

?? Roblox's 'Qatar Adventure' Draws 7.1 Million Visitors?

The "Qatar Adventure" experience on Roblox attracted 7.1 million visitors over seven weeks, immersing players in Qatari culture and landmarks. A survey revealed that 78.5% gained new insights into Qatar, with 86.8% interested in visiting in person. Highlights included virtual visits to Lusail Stadium and engaging with Qatari traditions like pearl diving. The venture significantly boosted international interest in Qatar, offering virtual and educational engagements. (DN )

?? Hilton's Campaign Success with Saudi Influencer Family

Hilton's Destination Marketing Team has been recognised for their successful campaign, 'For The Stay', which focuses on the importance of the stay experience in a guest's travel plans. By featuring the famous Badr family from Saudi Arabia, the campaign has reached a combined impact of 173 million impressions and gained a following of 11 million. This innovative approach earned Hilton the Global Adrian Award in the Influencer Marketing category, making it the only MEA campaign recognised by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International. (CME )

Market Trends

?? Dubai Records 1.77 Million International Visitors in January 2024

Dubai's tourism industry thrives as it welcomed 1.77 million international tourists in January 2024, a 21% increase from last year. This is according to the latest Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism report. Western Europe remained the top source market with 327,000 visitors, followed by the GCC countries and South Asia. The number of visitors from Russia, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Eastern Europe also increased significantly, ranking fourth on the list. The report also revealed that the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region saw a steady influx of tourists, with 211,000 visitors in January, while North and Southeast Asia and the Americas also contributed to the impressive numbers. (DCG )

?? Hotel Occupancy in Dubai Reached 90.8% in February

Dubai saw a record-high occupancy rate of 90.8% in February 2024. This is a 3.4% increase compared to the same period last year. The ADR also saw a significant jump of 9.3%, reaching AED887.06, while RevPAR increased by 13.1%. This impressive growth can be attributed to several events, including Gulfood, the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, and the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships. The market's daily occupancy levels remained consistently above 80%, with the highest levels reported between 20-22 February. (HNR )

?? Growth Observed in Qatar's Tourism Sector

Qatar is making strides towards its goal of attracting six million tourists by 2030. In January 2024, the country saw a significant increase in visitors from GCC countries, with a rise of 446.1% compared to last year. This growth is attributed to the extension of the Hayya Card, initially introduced for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and proved beneficial for tourists visiting the AFC Asian Cup. The country also hosted the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 for a third time, drawing in 702,800 global visitors in January alone. With 15% of visitors coming from Asian countries and a substantial number from other regions, Qatar's tourism industry is set to continue its growth. (DN )

That's a wrap for the week. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for future editions. Do you need a marketing audit, strategy, or a fresh pair of eyes? Get in touch today, and we’ll help you outshine the competition.?Visit hospitalitymarketinghub.com??

Here's to Your Success ??