Global hotel groups unite to transform Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism sector, Marriott’s Autograph Collection debuting in Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square, Hilton’s expansion plans in Riyadh, Aldar’s partnership with Les Roches, the thriving culinary and hospitality scene in Saudi Arabia – here’s the inside scoop!
Paramount Hotel Midtown awarded Gold at Dubai Sustainable Tourism Awards
Paramount Hotel Midtown in Dubai has been honoured with the Gold Award at the Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST) Stamp Awards Ceremony, recognising its commitment to sustainability. Having previously attained the Silver DST Stamp, the hotel has consistently met 19 sustainability criteria, including guest education, energy management, green events, and air quality management. General Manager Pascal Eggertstedt credited the engineering team and staff for their dedication to responsible tourism, aiming to provide authentic experiences while positively impacting the environment.
Marriott International achieves record growth in EMEA with nearly 300 deals signed
Marriott International reported a record-breaking year in 2024 across Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), signing 291 deals representing over 34,000 rooms. The company expanded its portfolio by adding over 180 properties, entering new markets. Conversions accounted for 45% of room signings, with significant activity in Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Europe. Luxury brand deals totalled 26, while the midscale Four Points Flex by Sheraton saw 34 signings in Europe and the premium segment achieved 39 signings. The branded residential segment grew with 11 project signings, bringing the EMEA residential portfolio to 72 locations. Notable openings in the MENA included the debut of Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabia, and St. Regis properties in Oman.
Earlier this week…
Global hotel groups unite to transform Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism sector in line with Vision 2030
Seven leading hotel groups—Marriott International, Radisson Hotel Group, Hilton, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Ennismore, and Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC—have pledged to support Ras Al Khaimah’s Vision 2030 by enhancing the emirate’s tourism industry. This collaboration aims to triple the size of Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism economy by 2030, positioning it among the world’s top ten fastest-growing travel destinations. The initiative focuses on sustainable growth, with targets such as achieving 10% electricity savings and sourcing 5% of energy needs from solar power by 2030.
Marriott’s Autograph Collection to debut in Cairo’s iconic Tahrir Square
Marriott International is set to introduce an Autograph Collection Hotel in Cairo’s historic Mogamma El-Tahrir building, located in Tahrir Square. The project involves transforming the former government building into a hotel featuring 500 guest rooms and serviced apartments, complemented by multiple dining and entertainment venues. Amenities will include a rooftop swimming pool overlooking Tahrir Square, with panoramic views of the Nile River and the Giza Pyramids. This development is part of a broader initiative by The Sovereign Fund of Egypt to revitalise downtown Cairo.
Hilton to introduce Garden Inn and Curio Collection properties in Riyadh
Hilton has announced plans to expand its presence in Riyadh through a partnership with Saudi real estate developer Osus. The collaboration will bring two of Hilton’s brands to the ‘Osus Eye’ project: Hilton Garden Inn and Curio Collection by Hilton Residences. The Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Osus Eye will offer 250 guest rooms and suites, along with facilities such as a fitness centre, outdoor pool, and various dining options, including a rooftop venue. The Curio Collection Residences will comprise 176 units, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments, providing amenities like a fitness centre, swimming pool, wellness rooms, and a cinema theatre.
Aldar partners with Les Roches to elevate hospitality education in Abu Dhabi
Aldar has launched an in-house customer experience academy inspired by traditional Emirati hospitality, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches. The academy aims to train over 30,000 employees across various sectors, focusing on principles such as selfless generosity and excellence beyond expectations. This initiative supports Abu Dhabi’s strategy to enhance customer experiences and solidify its reputation for world-class service.
Saudi Arabia’s culinary and hospitality scene thrives
Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector has recorded impressive growth in 2024, attracting nearly 30 million inbound tourists. As the Kingdom evolves as a premier tourist destination, its unique blend of rich cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and world-class culinary experiences is captivating travelers from around the world.
Renowned French chef, Alain Ducasse, has launched ‘Ducasse in AlUla’, a pop-up restaurant combining French techniques with local ingredients, set against the breathtaking natural landscape of AlUla. This dining experience offers visitors a taste of the kingdom’s rich culinary heritage, while showcasing the best of local and international cuisine.
Sabre Hospitality launches SynXis pay for streamlined hotel payments
Sabre Hospitality has introduced SynXis Pay, a comprehensive payment solution integrating over 250 payment methods, such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, Klarna, and WeChat Pay. This system offers travellers flexibility during checkout on hotel websites and enables express checkout via SynXis Booking Engine when using Apple Pay or Google Pay. For hoteliers, SynXis Pay simplifies the management of diverse payment types through a unified platform, optimising global payment acceptance. Hotels can also customise payouts in their local currency, converting from the guest’s preferred currency, thereby minimising exposure to foreign exchange rates and simplifying reconciliation.
