Top 3 Headlines
IHG signs Hotel Indigo Cairo New Administrative Capital
IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed Hotel Indigo Cairo New Administrative Capital with JADEER Group, adding a 140-key lifestyle property to its Egypt pipeline of 23 hotels scheduled in the coming years. The hotel will sit within a mixed-use scheme east of Cairo, targeting the New Capital’s fast-growing government, business and residential demand, with an opening timeline flagged for 2033.
Four Seasons Kuwait extends its Forbes Five-Star streak
Four Seasons Hotel Kuwait at Burj Alshaya has again secured a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating, its fourth consecutive year at the top tier, reinforcing its leadership position in Kuwait’s luxury segment as high-end competition and brand standards continue to rise across the market. The accolade, which requires excellence across more than 900 standards, is evaluated anonymously by professional inspectors.
RAK tourism surge sparks luxury hotel expansion
Ras Al Khaimah welcomed a record 1.36 million visitors in 2025, split evenly between domestic and international travellers, driving strong growth across its hospitality sector. Hotel occupancy rose 4.6%, average daily rates increased 6.6%, and RevPAR climbed 11.5% (YoY). The emirate now has more than 9,000 hotel keys, with over 9,500 additional rooms planned between 2026 and 2030 (92% in the five-star segment).
Global operators including Accor, Hilton, Marriott, Aman and Wynn are expanding their footprint as Ras Al Khaimah targets 3 million annual visitors by 2030. The Dh19 billion Wynn Al Marjan Island resort, set to feature the region’s first integrated gaming offering, anchors this expansion.
Noteworthy
- Nammos has launched the first Nammos Residences at AMAALA in Triple Bay, marking its debut into branded coastal living within one of Saudi Arabia’s flagship Red Sea developments. The project blends the Nammos lifestyle with AMAALA’s ultra-luxury destination vision, reinforcing the Kingdom’s growing high-end residential and tourism offering.
- Radisson Hotel Group and BNW Developments have unveiled Radisson Blu Hotel (361 rooms) and 222 branded residences in RAK Central, integrating hospitality, retail and entertainment in Ras Al Khaimah’s emerging commercial hub. The mixed-use project supports the emirate’s economic growth strategy and strengthens its appeal as a live-work-play destination near Al Marjan Island.
- Fairmont The Palm has appointed José Martins dos Santos as Hotel Manager, bringing over 15 years of luxury hospitality leadership experience in the UAE. His appointment supports the resort’s focus on elevating guest experience, operational excellence and service innovation.
- Al Habtoor Palace Dubai has retained its Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star rating for 2026, reaffirming its position among globally recognised luxury hospitality properties. The recognition highlights the hotel’s continued commitment to service excellence and high-end guest experiences.
- Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism inaugurated the 165-room Radisson Hotel Madinah, located near Qiba Mosque and supported by the Tourism Development Fund. The opening enhances accommodation capacity for pilgrims and visitors, aligning with Vision 2030 goals to expand quality hospitality in religious destinations.
