Top 3 Headlines

Barceló launches flagship hotel brand in Dubai

Barceló Hotel Group has rebranded its Occidental Al Jaddaf property to Barceló Al Jaddaf, marking the debut of its flagship brand in the UAE. Upgraded to a five-star hotel, the 365-room property blends contemporary design with Spanish hospitality, aiming to cater to both business and leisure travellers.

A key highlight is the rooftop Mediterranean restaurant B-Heaven, making its GCC debut with skyline views and a chic beach-club vibe.

Rotana expands sustainability drive with Ecolab and Stella Hospitality

Rotana has deepened its sustainability commitment through a new partnership with Ecolab and Stella Hospitality. Ecolab, marking 20 years of collaboration, will continue implementing smart technologies to cut water, energy, and chemical use across Rotana properties in the Middle East.

Stella Hospitality joins as a new partner, supplying recyclable amenity packaging to phase out single-use plastics. In the UAE alone, the efforts have led to: 

• 24,000kg of plastic eliminated each year
• 51 million litres of water saved annually
• 636,000 kWh of energy conserved (enough to power 1,800 homes)
• 130 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions avoided

Paul Cannings appointed Multi-Property GM at Marriott City Center Doha

Marriott International has named Paul M. Cannings as Multi-Property General Manager for Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel and Marriott Executive Apartments City Center Doha. With over 25 years at Marriott, Paul brings global experience from Australia, South Korea, Malaysia, and Canada. He led award-winning hotel openings in Seoul and most recently managed The Westin Bayshore in Vancouver, which earned “Hotel of the Year 2022” and the 2024 “People First Award.” This marks his first role in the Middle East, where he will oversee operations and continue his people-focused leadership approach.

____________________

Noteworthy:

1. Saudi Arabia has opened Sheybarah and Ummahat Islands for exclusive luxury tourism, offering private villas and eco-conscious experiences as part of its Red Sea development.
2. Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism has signed an MoU with Marriott International to enhance Dubai’s hospitality offerings through joint development and talent initiatives.
3. Egypt has inaugurated Hyatt Centric Cairo West, the first art-themed hotel in Africa, blending contemporary design with curated local artworks to attract culture-driven travellers.
4. Hyatt and Egypt’s ADD Developments have signed an MoU to expand the Hyatt brand footprint across Egypt with a focus on lifestyle and luxury properties.
5. Dubai-based Aleph Hospitality will manage 26 Onomo-branded hotels across Africa, accelerating regional growth in midscale hospitality through strategic partnerships.
6. Real estate firm 25 Degrees has secured a $100 million unbuilt beachfront plot on Palm Jumeirah, positioning itself for a landmark development in Dubai’s luxury real estate sector.
7. Anders T. Dimblad has been appointed Cluster General Manager of Banyan Tree Dubai and Delano Dubai, leading operations for both premium properties ahead of upcoming openings.
8. The former site of Dubai Zoo in Jumeirah will be transformed into a lush urban oasis with green spaces, leisure zones and community-focused amenities, as well as residential and commercial properties.