A new year begins with the arrival of one of the world’s most iconic holiday destinations. Dubai : The horizon of Meliá Hotels & Resorts expands to one of the most coveted destinations on the planet: the Maldives. In January 2026, the most international and renowned brand of Meliá Hotels International will open the doors of Meliá Whale Lagoon Maldives, a five-star, all-inclusive resort that invites guests to discover the essence of the Indian Ocean in an unparalleled natural setting, marking a new milestone in the company’s global expansion. Located in the spectacular South Ari Atoll, this unique enclave has been…
Author: Eat ‘N Stays
Radisson Hotel Group, in partnership with BNW Developments, has announced the signing of Radisson Blu Hotel, RAK Central and Radisson Blu Residences, RAK Central, a landmark mixed-use hospitality project in Ras Al Khaimah set to open in 2029. The signing introduces a new Radisson Blu address to a fast-evolving part of the UAE, expanding the Group’s footprint in Ras Al Khaimah. Set within RAK Central, a large-scale mixed-use destination planned as a future financial hub for the emirate, the project will sit at the heart of a 3.1 million sq. ft. master development integrating commercial, financial, residential, and recreational spaces.…
Julio Rafael is the Marketing & Communications Director at Jannah Hotels & Resorts, where he oversees EDGE Hotels. He brings almost 10 years of experience in brand strategy, digital transformation, and multi-property marketing within the luxury hospitality sector. Julio is also known as the “Winner of the Hotelier Marketing Power List for 2025”. He has been recognized as one of the “Top 30 Sales & Marketing Leaders in the Middle East 2023”, Julio is known for driving measurable brand growth and positioning hospitality brands for long-term relevance in competitive markets. Julio leads marketing for 6 hotels, 12 restaurants, and 24…
Dubai : Kleindienst Group, the European-origin conglomerate with a diverse portfolio spanning real estate development, construction, hospitality, sustainable energy and marine engineering, announces the official opening of voco Dubai Nice The Heart of Europe, marking the second property of IHG’s fastest growing premium brand, voco hotels, on the World islands. The opening of the 264 key adults only hotel represents another key step forward in the development progress of The Heart of Europe as a 20-hotel island destination with 5,000 keys. Each voco property is defined by its own distinct character, offering a unique experience within an inviting, unstuffy atmosphere. Infused…
Hospitality tech innovator secured wins, recognition for solutions supporting meetings & events, budgeting and revenue management, establishing it as a strategic partner across a hotel’s complete commercial organization. Dubai : IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of AI-powered hospitality revenue management software, today announced it was recognized by the HotelTechAwards in three separate categories: Budgeting, Meetings & Events Intelligence and Revenue Management System (RMS). The recognition underscores IDeaS’ unique ability to help hotel teams move beyond siloed decision-making by bringing forecasting, pricing, budgeting, and group optimization together to drive stronger commercial outcomes across entire properties and portfolios.…
Global exhibitors will flock to Arabian Travel Market 2026, spurred on by trends such as tourism infrastructure expansion and increased air connectivity Exhibition space reserved by participants from Africa and Asia sees compound annual growth rates of 31.99% and 13.95%, respectively (2024-26) China’s ATM return will offer an opportunity to forge and strengthen links with Gulf tourism partners as the nation’s outbound market regains momentum Dubai: With overseas travel spend by Middle East residents expected to grow by 6% per year until the end of the decade, where it will top US$60 billion according to the latest ATM Travel…
This January, Radisson Blu Hotel Dubai Deira Creek transforms into the epicentre of one of the city’s most ambitious culinary spectacles with The Dubai Big Cheese Experience, a multi-day celebration dedicated to the world’s most beloved delicacy. Bringing together scale, craftsmanship and international flair, the event will culminate in an official Guinness World Records™ attempt for the Largest Showcase of Cheese Varieties ever assembled. Scheduled for 28 January 2026, the Guinness World Records™ official attempt will take place at Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Deira Creek, coinciding with Gulfood and marking a significant moment for the global cheese industry. Hosted at Dubai’s first five-star hotel, now celebrating…
Turkish Airlines announced passenger and cargo traffic results for December with 9.2% higher passenger capacity in terms of available seat kilometers compared to that of 2024. In December, number of passengers recorded as 7.3 million and total load factor realized as 82.6%. According to December 2025 Traffic Results; The number of carried passengers recorded as 7.3 million. International load factor was 82.6% while domestic load factor was 82.7%. Number of international-to-international passengers carried increased by 14.1% from 2.8 million in 2024 to 3.2 million in this period. Available seat kilometers (ASK), increased by 9.2% to 23.3 billion during the period…
Hail : Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Hail Region, the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Hail Region Development Authority are set to host a monumental event: the largest 4×4 rally in Saudi Arabia, aiming to break the Guinness World Record. Taking place on Friday, January 16, 2026, in the historic Tuwaran area—associated with the legendary Hatim al-Tai—this rally is expected to draw attention from across the globe. The event is organized with support from the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority and the House of Culture, alongside 14…
Hospitality provider Aitken Spence Hotels has been recognised with the title of ‘World’s Leading Sustainable Female Empowerment Initiative 2025’ by voters at the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards. Aitken Spence Hotels has embedded sustainability education at the heart of its operations through the Aitken Spence Institute of Hotel Management. Training over 9,000 students to date, the institute integrates responsible tourism practices into hospitality curricula. Praveen George, General Manager Hotel Operations & Sales, Aitken Spence Hotels, said: “It means a lot for us to win – one of the major initiatives our company follows is to empower women in all our fields. Aitken Spence Hotels…