Author: Abdul.Wasey

Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global sports events destination reshaping far more than its events calendar. As the Kingdom prepares to host a growing portfolio of international tournaments, from Formula 1 and international football to golf, boxing and e-sports, sport is increasingly recognised as a powerful driver of tourism demand, investment attraction and long-term destination positioning. As David Thomson, Senior Vice President – Development, The First Group Hospitality, puts it: “Mega-events can put a city on the map. When managed well, they reposition a city in the minds of investors and travellers.” Four leading hospitality executives share their perspectives ahead…

Ghana : Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is expanding its operations in Ghana with the introduction of four additional weekly services between Dubai and Accra from 12 July 2026. This reaffirms the airline’s long-term commitment to Ghana and supports the country’s growing demand for travel and global connectivity. The new service will complement Emirates’ existing daily operation and the sustained growth in air travel demand to and from Accra, which continues to experience high seat occupancy year-round. From 12 July, Emirates’ direct service, operating as EK789, will depart Dubai at 03:30hrs*, arriving in Accra at 07:40hrs*; the return flight,…

Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other in the world, has announced the resumption of its Abu Dhabi flights starting July 1st 2026, following a temporary suspension of services. The resumption of the flag carrier’s Abu Dhabi flights, following the restart of its Dubai operations on June 9, marks the full restoration of Turkish Airlines’ United Arab Emirates network. Flag carrier will also increase its Dubai flight frequency from 7 weekly flights to 14 weekly flights effective June 25, 2026. With services now operating from both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Turkish Airlines continues to seamlessly connect…

Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel Appoints Manish Jha as General Manager Dubai: Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel, operated by Minor Hotels, is pleased to announce the appointment of Manish Jha as General Manager, marking a new chapter of elevated guest experiences and strategic growth for the luxury urban hotel. Anantara Downtown Dubai Welcomes New General Manager With more than two decades of experience in luxury hospitality, Manish has built an impressive international career across some of the industry’s most respected brands, much of it with Minor Hotels. He joined Anantara in 2006 as Director of F&B for Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and…

Dubai : As temperatures rise across the GCC, Czechia is increasingly emerging as a preferred summer escape, offering travellers a refreshing blend of cultural richness, scenic landscapes, and immersive seasonal experiences. Renowned for its picturesque towns, historic landmarks, and world-class wellness offerings, Czechia presents an attractive alternative for travellers seeking cooler climates and enriching journeys during the peak summer travel season. Beyond its iconic capital, Prague, Czechia is home to over twelve hundred castles and châteaux, UNESCO-listed heritage sites, and a wealth of destinations such as Český Krumlov, Brno, and the spa town of Karlovy Vary. These locations offer a diverse…

From chef-led masterclasses and new seasonal menus to brunches, business lunches and family-friendly experiences Dubai, UAE – As residents seek new ways to dine, socialize and escape the heat this summer, Paris Society Summer is introducing a collection of culinary experiences across its UAE portfolio. Whether it’s a leisurely Saturday brunch at Lana Lusa, a hands-on sushi masterclass at Mimi Kakushi, an Italian business lunch at Siena, or sangria-filled afternoons at Tagomago, guests can discover a variety of new experiences designed for the season. Below is a selection of the latest launches and dining experiences across Paris Society’s UAE venues. WEEKEND PLANS…

Gilles Bontems Appointed General Manager of Brach Paris by Evok Collection Gilles Bontems has been appointed General Manager of Brach Paris, the flagship property of Evok Collection’s Brach brand. Bringing extensive experience across prestigious international luxury hospitality groups, Bontems joins the Paris property to support its continued development, strengthen the guest experience and maintain the distinctive character and exceptional service standards that define the hotel. The appointment reflects Evok Collection’s ongoing commitment to developing distinctive hospitality destinations that combine personalised service, authentic experiences and a strong sense of place. With a professional background spanning luxury hotel operations, food and beverage,…

Dubai : The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched its new summer promotion, “Hong Kong Summer Fun”, inviting travellers from the GCC and Middle East to experience a vibrant season of festivals, cultural activities, family attractions, dining, shopping and exclusive travel offers across the city. Designed to make Hong Kong an even more exciting summer destination, the campaign brings together major events, special hotel and attraction deals, transport discounts, dining offers and in-town spending rewards, giving visitors from the GCC and the wider region more reasons to stay longer and explore the city. At the heart of the summer…

More than 1,600 hotels adopted Rate Data Advantage within 100 days of launch, while nearly 40% of IDeaS’ independent hotel, small group and regional chain clients have implemented Optix IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of AI-powered hospitality revenue management software, today announced significant momentum in the adoption of its broader commercial strategy solutions, highlighting a growing industry shift toward connected decision-making that extends well beyond traditional revenue management. The announcement comes as hotel organizations face increasing pressure to navigate market volatility, staffing constraints, evolving traveler demand patterns, and growing expectations for data-driven decision-making across commercial functions.…

The landmark partnership gives JA Mar Hall guests exclusive member benefits, rates and loyalty recognition across a global portfolio of over 50 leading independent hospitality brands. DUBAI:   JA Mar Hall Golf & Spa Resort has officially joined the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme, the first hotel in Scotland to be part of the global alliance, marking a major milestone in the resort’s continued evolution as part of the JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio. Positioning JA Mar Hall alongside more than 1,000 luxury hotels, resorts and palaces worldwide, the partnership further strengthens the property’s international luxury positioning following its extensive £20 million refurbishment and relaunch in 2025. Through…