Top 3 Headlines
UAE hotel revenues hit record highs as Dubai leads global room openings
The UAE’s hotel sector delivered a strong performance in 2025, with revenues rising 8.8% YoY to reach $12 billion, underlining continued demand across leisure and business travel. Dubai, meanwhile, has been ranked among global leaders for new hotel room openings scheduled for 2026, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most dynamic hospitality markets as supply expands in step with tourism growth.
Ciel Dubai Marina opens with headline-grabbing aerial spectacle
Ciel Dubai Marina marked its highly anticipated debut with one of the most audacious launch celebrations ever staged in the city. In partnership with XDubai and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the world’s tallest hotel transformed the skies above Dubai Marina into the stage for a precision wingsuit performance. Standing 377m tall, Ciel has setting a new benchmark for experiential luxury in the region. To commemorate the opening, five elite XDubai wingsuit athletes executed a breathtaking formation flight over the Marina, with the lead athlete flying through the building’s dramatic “eye of the needle” centrepiece at speeds exceeding 200 km/h. The remaining athletes deployed coordinated colour effects, creating a vivid aerial display against Dubai’s skyline and reinforcing the hotel’s bold, boundary-pushing brand identity.
Saudi Arabia accelerates high-end hotel openings across key destinations
W Riyadh KAFD is set to debut this spring, bringing W Hotels to the Kingdom for the first time with 210 luxe rooms, while Crowne Plaza Al Jubail has opened in the Eastern Province, offering 190 rooms for biz and leisure travelers. Over in Diriyah, The Oberoi, Wadi Safar has launched, bringing ultra-luxury vibes to a culturally rich destination. Accor’s Swissôtel is back in Jeddah with the 323-room Swissôtel Jeddah Al Hamra, getting a glow-up aligned with Saudi Vision 2030; and in Taif, ENVI is planning a wellness-focused mountain retreat.
Noteworthy
- AVENEW Development has signed an agreement with Hilton to develop Waldorf Astoria Dubai Islands and Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Islands, introducing the iconic luxury brand to one of Dubai’s most anticipated coastal destinations.
- Accor has partnered with Arbah Taiba to develop Novotel Madinah North, expanding its footprint in one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant religious tourism markets.
- Hilton has outlined a strong development pipeline for early 2026, with notable openings and renovations planned across Morocco and Istanbul, reflecting sustained investor confidence in both leisure and gateway city markets.
- Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) has reported repeat-stay revenue of $1.8 billion, up 18% YoY, highlighting growing loyalty engagement across its multi-brand portfolio.
- TUMBI Hotel Dubai The Palm, part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, is celebrating its first year of operations, marking a milestone for wellness-led, alcohol-free hospitality on Palm West Beach. Upcoming initiatives include beachfront yoga sessions and expanded wellness-focused dining options at dEATox Café, designed to support guests’ health-conscious lifestyles.
