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OPINION
Managing director Joumana Dammous-Salamé Publication manager Randa Dammous-Pharaon Publications deputy manager Rita Ghantous
Never in vain, renovation and innovation are a must for the hospitality industry to evolve. Nouhad Dammous (2018) Late editor-in-chief Docteur Honoris Causa
Graphic designer Ibrahim Kastoun Sub-editors Miriam Dunn Lisa Jerejian Account managers Michel Ajjoub, Maha Hasbani, Josette Hikri advertise@hospitalitynewsmag.com Subscription executives Houayda Haddad-Roumman Mirna Maroun subscribe@hospitalitynewsmag.com Circulation coordinator Rita Nohra-Kejijian News news@hospitalitynewsmag.com Published by Hospitality Services LEBANON Borghol Building, Dekwaneh Tel: +961 1 480081 UAE HSME Tel: +971 585098057 info@hospitalityservices.me www.hospitalitynewsmag.com All the information disclosed in the magazine was provided by the parties concerned by each publication and checked to the highest possible extent by the editors. However, the magazine cannot ensure accuracy at all times of all information published and therefore could in no case be held responsible should any information reveal to be false or insufficient. We welcome views on any subject relevant to the hospitality industry, but request that letters be short and to the point. The editor reserves the right to select and edit letters. Hospitality News ME is distributed to trade professionals in the catering and lodging industry in the Middle East.
A NEW DAWN FOR THE MENA REGION’S HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY Hospitality News Middle East’s editorial team forecasts a bright future for the hospitality industry, which is gathering pace post-pandemic. Despite geopolitical tensions, the rising price of oil and widespread inflation, the Middle East hotel market is faring, well thanks to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, which has boosted consumer confidence. According to the 2022 Colliers’ hotel forecast report for key MENA hospitality markets, the UAE market has been positively impacted by Expo 2020, while the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is expected to produce overspill demand in the key transit hubs of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. However, the rising instability in major CIS source markets is expected to suppress demand, with Dubai and Ras al Khaimah likely to be most significantly affected. Given the diversity of source markets for the UAE, additional hotel demand may be induced from alternative markets at a lower price positioning. In KSA, the Riyadh Season, coupled with growing consumer confidence, has benefitted both the markets of Riyadh and Jeddah. In addition, there are positive signs regarding the return of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia’s renowned pilgrimage sites, notably Makkah and Madinah. Rising oil prices have historically led to increased corporate demand in Al Khobar/Dammam. However, an increase in outbound travel may reduce this impact. Turning to Egypt, data shows that Cairo has maintained its rate of growth, although leisure-oriented markets have experienced a marked fall in tourist numbers due to increased competition in the region, as well as travel uncertainty from the key CIS markets. The exception here is the Hurghada market, which has maintained levels of demand. Furthermore, Sahel is proving to be an exciting growth market. When it comes to Qatar, Doha has experienced a slight decrease in occupancy over H1 2022 compared to the previous year. Nevertheless, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is expected to result in an unprecedented number of arrivals. According to World Bank data published in March 2022, the Kuwaiti economy is expected to increase by 5.3 percent this year and 3 percent next year, which would put the country on track to achieve its pre-covid growth by 2023, provided that current global inflation does not get in the way. Furthermore, the Central Bank of Jordan reported that tourist arrivals increased to 716,000 in June, up from 650,000 in May 2022. To summarize, the outlook for the region’s hospitality industry is bright. You’ll find plenty more about market trends and forecasts in this issue. The editorial team
AUG-SEP 2022 | HOSPITALITY NEWS ME
3
In this issue Aug - Sep 2022
OPINION
03
A new dawn for the MENA region’s hospitality industry
08 10 14 16 20
In-depth news and interviews from around the region Industry Hotels Food & beverage Chefs Suppliers
NEWS
14
Joey Ghazal
EVENTS SEEN AND HEARD 24
Sial Paris to kick off its innovation-centric 2022 edition More than 50 speakers confirmed for the Future Hospitality Summit in Dubai Calendar
26
Horeca Jordan
HORECA NETWORK
BUSINESS INTERVIEW 28
Serge Trigano, the co-founder of Mama Shelter
LODGING 30
26
HORECA Jordan
30
Ecolodge
Ecolodges in the Middle East: the new big thing
TRENDS 32
The burgeoning bleisure market
COUNTRY REPORT 34
Back to the land of the pharaohs
EYE ON 36
Spain in the spotlight
38
Sahel: the Mykonos of North Africa?
40
Let’s talk art: Lebanon's guesthouses and boutique hotels
TOURISM ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN
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HOSPITALITY NEWS ME | AUG-SEP 2022
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HospitalityNewsME
SPECIAL REPORT: NEW PROJECTS 45 60 62 64
Taking the lead: 12 influential hoteliers New projects redefining the GCC hotel landscape The rights and wrongs of hotel refurbs The reality of real estate hotel investment
BUSINESS F&B 66
In the mind of the consumer
TECHNOLOGY 68
New realities in technology
44
New Projects
71
Solutions
74
Meat
SOLUTIONS HUMAN RESOURCES 70
5 ways to overcome burnout
MANAGEMENT 71
Project planning 101
PRODUCT ZONE EQUIPMENT 72
What’s on the table?
FOOD 74
Mighty meat
ON THE MARKET 79
New products
80
The making of the mocktail market
84
Superfood chocolate bars
BEVERAGE CHOCOMANIA
Coming issue Oct - Nov 2022 • Special report Coffee and coffee shops • Influencers Nightlife • Equipment Coffee machines • Food Chocolate • Beverage Coffee
FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NEWS FROM THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, VISIT
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HOSPITALITY NEWS ME | AUG-SEP 2022
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