Top 3 Headlines

Accor adds Mövenpick Cairo West to Egypt expansion plans

Accor has signed a new deal for the 220-key hotel, Mövenpick Cairo West, aiming to open in 2028 in Sheikh Zayed City. The property, part of a larger mixed-use development by Crest Development, just 20-30 minutes from the Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum.

With restaurants, a ballroom, wellness facilities, and strong business appeal, the hotel targets growing demand in Greater Cairo. Accor already operates 38 hotels and is planning 20 more as part of a wider regional growth strategy in Egypt

Oman launches hotel training program for Dhofari youth

Oman’s Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has signed a deal to train local youth in hotel reception roles across Dhofar. The three-month programme, run in collaboration with Muscat Hospitality Academy and Switzerland’s Business and Hotel Management School, will prepare Omanis for front office roles in the tourism sector. The initiative supports the government’s goal of boosting employment and service standards through public-private partnerships

Preferred Travel Group appoints Philipp Weghmann to lead growth and sustainability

Preferred Travel Group has named Philipp Weghmann as its new Chief Development Officer and President of Beyond Green. In this dual role, Weghmann will drive global development efforts across the group’s portfolio, including Preferred Hotels & Resorts and Historic Hotels, while also steering the sustainability-focused Beyond Green brand.

Returning to Preferred after a leadership stint at Marriott’s Luxury Collection, Weghmann brings more than 20 years of industry experience and a strong track record in luxury hospitality and brand growth. 

____________________

Noteworthy …

1. Major wellness hotels experienced a significant resurgence in 2024, generating over twice the total revenue per available room compared to non-wellness properties, highlighting the growing demand for health-focused travel experiences.
2. Meraas has awarded a construction contract worth over AED 300 million to Al Sahel Contracting Company for Elara, Phase 7 of the Madinat Jumeirah Living master plan in Dubai, with construction set to begin immediately for completion by the end of 2026.
3. Park Rotana and Park Arjaan by Rotana in Abu Dhabi have received multiple accolades at the Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards, including Best Hotel Service in the UAE and Best Contemporary Hotel, respectively.
4. Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection hosted a Partner Appreciation Night, celebrating strategic relationships and fostering future collaborations within the hospitality industry.
5. Hilton‘s luxury and lifestyle brands have reached a milestone with the opening of their 1,000th hotel globally, with nearly 500 more hotels in the pipeline, this includes the new Cairo Outpost with Golden View Developments. 
6. NABNI Developments and Hilton have launched the Waldorf Astoria Residences Dubai Business Bay, a 65-story residential tower set to be the second tallest in the Business Bay/Downtown Dubai district upon its planned handover in Q4 2029.
7. Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel has signed an MoU with Alleem Group, designating the hotel as the official hospitality partner for Alleem Group’s upcoming initiatives.
8. IHG Hotels & Resorts and Singapore Airlines have partnered to enhance SME business travel, offering integrated solutions that combine IHG’s global hotel network with Singapore Airlines’ extensive flight routes.
9. Dubai Motor City’s Park Inn by Radisson has become a pet-friendly hotel and will have their own amenity experiences like food, water bowls, beds, and guides to local pet-friendly parks and attractions. 
10. Pullman Dubai Downtown has introduced a Roland-Garros Suite, offering tennis enthusiasts a unique themed accommodation experience.