Top 3 Headlines
Accor sets sights on Madinah with Novotel expansion
Accor has teamed up with Madinah-based developer Arbah Taiba to build Novotel Madinah North, set to open in 2028. Located minutes from Al Masjid an-Nabawi, the hotel will offer 200 modern rooms, a restaurant, lobby lounge, fitness centre, and meeting rooms, catering to pilgrims, business travellers, and families alike. With Madinah welcoming over 3.7 million visitors in Q2 2025 and 18 million in 2024, the new Novotel will meet rising accommodation demand. Accor’s Islam Abdel Samad says the deal strengthens their Saudi presence, while Arbah Taiba’s Abdulaziz Al Qfary highlights the collaboration’s potential to elevate Madinah’s hospitality.
Riyadh to Host Host Arabia 2025 as Saudi hospitality demand builds
Saudi Arabia’s Host Arabia 2025 has just wrapped at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Centre. The event gathered more than 550 exhibitors from 60 countries to showcase hotel technology, sustainable solutions and foodservice innovations. As well as serving as a key platform for industry partnerships, infrastructure development, spotlighting new investment opportunities. Alongside the event, global hotel groups including Hilton, IHG and Hyatt are increasing their investment in the Kingdom as demand for high-quality accommodation rises. Airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad boosted capacity to Saudi cities ahead of the exhibition.
Hilton partners with Explora Journeys to bring luxury ocean travel to Hilton Honors
Hilton has announced an exclusive partnership with Explora Journeys, the MSC Group’s luxury ocean travel brand, introducing cruise experiences into the Hilton Honors loyalty programme. Beginning summer 2026, members will be able to book, earn and redeem Points on Explora’s global itineraries, spanning the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, the Red Sea, Alaska and Asia. The launch coincides with Hilton’s new “Hilton Honors Adventures,” an initiative expanding loyalty benefits into immersive land-and-sea travel. A preview offer is available until 7 June 2026, featuring 100,000 bonus Points per suite, onboard experience credits of up to $/€400 on selected itineraries, and exclusive welcome amenities.
Noteworthy
- MSC Cruises is teaming up with MEYER WERFT to build four new cruise ships (plus two optional) launching from 2030, marking a new era for the company’s fleet.
- Mandarin Oriental, Muscat has launched a 5-day Exclusive Journey experience, crafted with The Luminaire, offering guests an authentic and comfortable exploration of Oman’s culture, deserts, and coastlines, starting from $5,903 USD per person.
- Preferred Hotels & Resorts is expanding in the Middle East and North Africa with six new properties in Egypt, including Coral Sea Holiday Resort and five luxury Nile cruise experiences, offering family-centric luxury and curated travel itineraries through a partnership with Wings Encora Collection.
- Nikken Sekkei has revealed the 350m Trump Tower Dubai design for Dar Global, merging New York-inspired geometry with Japanese architectural discipline. The tower will feature luxury residences, curated amenities, and a signature Trump Club experience.
- Address Downtown, part of Address Hotels + Resorts, has launched a Digital Check-In Experience as part of Dubai’s Dubai Digital Hotel initiative, allowing guests to pre-verify arrival details and enjoy a seamless, personalised check-in process, reflecting the hotel’s commitment to innovative luxury hospitality
- Th8 Palm Dubai Beach Resort has launched Pure by Serenity, an intimate wellness spa inspired by the renowned Portuguese well-being brand. The new retreat offers tailored treatments, a thermal suite, and a lifestyle-led approach to personalised relaxation for visitors.
- Taiba Investments has awarded a SAR181.5 million contract to build a 159-key Marriott hotel at Riyadh’s STC Square, set for completion in Q1 2028. The property will feature a rooftop pool, fitness club, modern meeting spaces, and tech-enabled guest experiences.
- Al Habtoor Grand Resort, Autograph Collection, has implemented an Integrated Management System, combining ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards, reinforcing its commitment to operational excellence, sustainability, and guest well-being in Dubai’s luxury hospitality landscape.
- Arada’s Nest Hotel, a midscale lifestyle hospitality brand, has opened bookings for its 395-room hotel at Aljada, Sharjah, offering a smart, connected stay with amenities like digital check-in, co-working spaces, and eBike rentals.
