By Alexander Ponomarev, CEO of Syrve MENA, a leading Middle Eastern restaurant tech provider Every summer, the same conversation comes up in the restaurant industry: fewer people visit, reservations drop, and the usual reaction is to cut budgets, reduce tables, and wait for September. But this year, that usual reaction only tells part of the story. Mall restaurants and hotel outlets are softer. Residents who might ordinarily be dining out are travelling or avoiding the midday heat entirely. On that level, the seasonal pattern holds. But underneath it, operators who miss it will spend the next three months giving up…
Author: Eat ‘N Stays
Riyadh : The Saudi Esports Federation and The Chefz have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their partnership and unlock new sponsorship and marketing opportunities across the Federation’s events and initiatives. The agreement aims to bolster the esports ecosystem, elevate experiences for players and fans, and pave the way for The Chefz’s participation in upcoming Federation-hosted events. Building on their successful collaboration at the 2025 Saudi Esports Federation Awards—where The Chefz supported a celebration spotlighting the sector’s top achievements, gathering players, clubs, creators, and key stakeholders—the MoU underscores a shared vision for advancing the Kingdom’s esports community. Ibrahim…
Riyadh : Elaf Group, a leading hospitality company, participated in the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) 2026, held in Riyadh from Monday, June 22 to Wednesday, June 24. The summit convened leading experts and global leaders across hospitality, tourism, and real estate investment to explore the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the industry amid rapid regional transformation. This year’s Future Hospitality Summit covered five key tracks through seminars and panel discussions: real estate investment, technology and innovation, luxury and lifestyle, the food and beverage sector, and talent development. Elaf Group was represented at the event by its CEO, Jalil Makwar,…
Riyadh : As the Kingdom accelerates its journey to become a leading global entertainment and tourism destination, Qiddiya continues to stand out as one of the most notable developments in this direction. It offers an integrated mix of entertainment, sports, and cultural experiences, crafted to meet the highest international standards—creating a destination where adventure, excitement, and enjoyment are available for every member of the family. Just outside Riyadh, Qiddiya spans more than 20 unique zones, functioning as a “global city” for living, working, shopping, and exploring. The destination is built on the concept of the Power of Play, reimagining modern…
Riyadh : The Saudi Tourism Authority launched the Saudi Summer Offers 2026 platform today under the slogan “Offers Now and Later,” in collaboration with more than 50 private sector tourism partners. The initiative aims to attract more tourists from within the Kingdom and the Gulf region to summer destinations by offering a single unified digital platform that brings together offers, programs, and tourism activities across the destinations included in this year’s Saudi Summer program. The platform features a range of exclusive packages and benefits for visitors, including discounts of up to 25% on flights or accommodation, free activities for children,…
Designed by the late Frank Gehry, new performing arts institution will provide a home for a broad range of performances spanning ballet to opera Set to open in 2030, the institution will offer year-round programming, with 365 days of events and performances Abu Dhabi : The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) today announced that works have commenced on Dar al Funoon Abu Dhabi (House of the Arts), a landmark institution on Saadiyat Island that will become one of the region’s most technically advanced performing arts venues upon opening in 2030. Representing a major investment…
While much of the GCC spends the summer months seeking refuge from soaring temperatures, Aseer offers something different. Located in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, the region is known for its naturally cool climate, dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and growing calendar of seasonal experiences. This summer, Aseer welcomes visitors with more than 100 bookable experiences across the region, inviting travellers to discover a destination where culture, nature, adventure, and entertainment come together in one journey. Here are some of the experiences not to miss in Aseer this summer: Al Muftaha District Al Muftaha District is one of Abha’s…
To listen to the winning composition, please visit: https://youtu.be/tLkeTXPvrrA AlUla : Arts AlUla and the AlUla Music Hub have announced Abeer Balubaid as the winner of the AlUla Music Competition. The announcement was made during an official ceremony held in AlUla, where the winning composition will be integrated into AlUla’s Musical Road experience. AlUla’s Musical Road joins a global network of musical roads. It will be located in one of the main arrival points in AlUla, the music becoming synonymous with the ancient Oasis. The winner Abeer Balubaid is a 36 year old Saudi national. She started her musical journey…
UAE and Qatar lead regional rebound as travel demand accelerates across major GCC aviation hubs Dubai : New travel data from Dragonpass reveals a strong rebound in travel activity across the GCC, with regional travel volumes increasing 66.2% in May compared with April, signalling a rapid return of traveller confidence across key aviation markets. The findings indicate that while travel growth remained relatively modest between March and April, demand accelerated sharply in May, resulting in an overall 72.8% increase in travel activity across GCC hubs between March and May. The rebound was led by the UAE and Qatar, alongside continued growth…
Madrid : The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Airlines Technical Pool (IATP) have agreed to cooperate in helping airlines to improve their visibility of, and access to, aircraft parts. This is timely given the constraints and costs of current failures in the aerospace supply chain. “Supply chain constraints continue to create operational and financial pressure for airlines. Addressing these challenges requires practical cooperation across the industry. By combining IATP’s technical pooling expertise with IATA’s technical expertise, we can help airlines access serviceable materials and strengthen maintenance resilience,” said Stuart Fox, IATA’s Director, Flight and Technical Operations. “For…