Top 3 Headlines
Radisson opens eighth hotel in Riyadh
Radisson Hotel Group has opened the Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Al Sahafa, its eighth property in the Saudi capital and part of its goal to reach 100 hotels across the Kingdom by 2030. Located in the Sahafa District, just 20 minutes from King Khalid International Airport, the 171-room property offers skyline views, three dining venues, a fitness centre, Kids’ Club, and extensive meeting facilities, including a 560 sqm ballroom for up to 400 guests.
BWH Hotels EMEA launches Arabic website to support regional growth
BWH Hotels EMEA has launched bestwestern.sa, a fully localised Arabic website for Best Western Hotels, offering Arabic-speaking travellers an easier way to browse, book, and access exclusive offers. The platform features fully translated hotel descriptions, promotions, and booking services, enhancing the guest experience across business and leisure travel.
The move supports BWH’s strong regional pipeline, including multiple upcoming Best Western properties in Saudi Arabia that will be fully managed by the group. A multi-channel marketing campaign will promote the new platform and boost bookings across the Middle East.
IHG expands with 180 hotels in the pipeline across MEA and South Asia
IHG Hotels & Resorts currently operates 220 hotels across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, and has announced it has 180 more in the pipeline, positioning the group to nearly double its regional presence within the next five years.
Saudi Arabia leads growth with 45 hotels open and 49 more under development, marking over 100% expansion and reinforcing the Kingdom as IHG’s largest market in the region. In the UAE, IHG has 34 operating properties and 12 in the pipeline, including landmark projects such as the world’s tallest hotel tower under its Vignette Collection brand. IHG’s pipeline also includes new signings across Madinah, Makkah, Amman, Diriyah, and Ras Al Khaimah.
____________________
Noteworthy:
- Clarke Tomlinson has been appointed Chief Operating Officer at Erth Abu Dhabi, which operates a luxury hotel near the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. His role will support the regional expansion of the brand as it launches mixed-use developments and new hotels in the Gulf.
- Hyatt named Nizar Weshah as Area Vice President for Saudi Arabia, supporting its goal to triple its portfolio in the Kingdom. He will continue his role as GM of flagship regional property, Grand Hyatt Al Khobar.
- Mariam Aziz has been promoted to Complex Director of Events at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, where she will lead Marriott’s event and MICE strategy for one of its largest regional complexes and across five properties.
- Atlantis Dubai has appointed Dean Walsh as new Executive Director of Sales who brings a prestigious portfolio spanning two decades for brands such as W Hotels, Viceroy, and Jumeirah. He is tasked with driving strategy, partnerships, and revenue growth for both Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal.
- TIME Hotels has reported significant summer 2025 growth, with a 6.3% rise in occupancy and double-digit growth in Average Daily Rates and Revenue Per Available Room, driven by increased demand from families and younger travelers in the Middle East.
- The Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis hotel has begun a wellness-focused trial for managers and supervisors, offering extra days off and remote work options to improve work-life balance and staff retention.
- DMDC announced its Abu Dhabi expansion with a luxury development at Four Seasons Residences, adding to the emirate’s premium residential and hospitality offerings.
- The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) has invested AED300 million (US$82 million) in the Sharjah Collection, a portfolio of seven luxury eco-retreats across the emirate, offering wellness, heritage, and nature-based experiences as part of its AED850 million hospitality portfolio.
- The Hospitality Network (THN) has opened a new office in Riyadh to drive growth and partnerships in the country’s hospitality and real estate sectors via exclusive events and consulting services on technology, innovation, and sustainability aimed at supporting hotel developers and operators.
- Egypt’s hotel occupancy has surged to over 80%, buoyed by a 23% year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals since January 2025, with tourism revenues climbing 22% to US $8 billion in the first half of the year. The upcoming opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in November, along with strategic development plans around the Pyramids and enhanced visa and investment initiatives, is expected to further boost the sector.
