5 minute read

Unleashing Growth

As we reach the midpoint of 2023, I can't help but reflect on how eventful it has been. Self-reflection is important, but it's crucial to strike a balance and avoid being overly critical of ourselves and our current circumstances. One of my main goals for this year was to travel more, prioritize my leisure time as much as my work time, and explore new interests and hobbies. I'm pleased to say that I've made significant progress in each of these areas. Moving forward, I want to continue focusing on the things that bring me fulfillment and dedicate more time to learning and honing my skills. It's no secret, but it bears repeating: while staying busy and keeping things moving is necessary,

Minor Hotels Announces Second Anantara Resort In Brazil

Soon to start development on Preá Beach in the municipality of Cruz and close to the well-known tourist destination of Jericoacoara, Anantara Preá Ceará Resort will offer 60 guest rooms and villas, 25 branded residential bungalows, some with private pools, and a 120 sqm Presidential Suite. To be built within the high-end Vila Carnaúba real estate development, Anantara Preá will offer guests access to all Vila Carnaúba’s amenities, such as the restaurants and bars, sports facilities and a gym, a kids club, a kitesurfing school, and a variety of nature walks. The resort will also be home to a regional restaurant and an Anantara Spa which will offer an extensive range of spa treatments and wellness programmes.

Saturday, 17. June marks the launch of the first ever ‘BRICKS BRUNCH’ at LEGOLAND® Hotel, a brunch in a LEGO themed world dedicated to families with children aged 2-12 years that offers all youngsters an unmatched brunch adventure in the region. Here, every Saturday from 1pm to 4pm, families will explore a list of ongoing fun-filled activities including LEGO® Building Bonanza, Kids Kitchen featuring Pizza Making Class and Ice Cream Sundae Building together with Crazy Craft Corner, Character Dance Party and Movie Madness. Moreover, foodies will enjoy a mouth-watering buffet presenting Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Indian, Italian, and Asian cuisines together with vegan and vegetarian delicacies to meet every taste. All that is topped with an exclusive access to LEGOLAND Hotel outdoor family pool and kids splashpad area from 4pm until 7pm. To extend the awesomeness even further, families are welcome to join BRICKS BRUNCH Sleepover adventure with exclusive experiences featuring creative workshop, in-room treasure hunt with LEGO gifts, LEGOLAND® park(s) access where kids eat FREE* and more.

Hilton Debuts In Tunisia With Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced its debut in Tunisia with the opening of the highly anticipated Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort – a unique property set close to historical cultural landmarks, offering panoramic Mediterranean views, world-class dining, and a destination-worthy wellness centre.

Located six miles from Monastir downtown and eight miles from Sousse, Skanes is a highly sought-after resort destination on Tunisia’s coastline, renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort is close to the Monastir-Habib Bourguiba International Airport, making it easily accessible to major attractions such as the Ribat of Monastir, Mausoleum of Bourguiba, Medina of Sousse, and other cultural attractions, visited and enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Golfers can enjoy their favourite sport on the Monastir Flamingo Golf Course located within the immediate vicinity of the resort.

Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the region with over 100 properties across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkey, announced the agreement signing for Pontus Rotana

Resort & Spa Gonio, with one of the largest developers in Georgia, Pontus Capital. The luxury property located in the beach suburb of famous Batumi, is expected to open in 2026, catering to both business and leisure travellers. Integrating traditional architecture with modern living, Pontus Rotana Resort & Spa boasts 600 spacious rooms offering unobstructed views of the natural landscape. Guests staying at the property will also enjoy access to world-class gaming at the grand casino. The five-star property will offer an additional range of services and amenities including a private beach, exquisite dining venues, a serene spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a fully equipped wellness, and fitness centre as well as a dedicated interactive kids play zone.

Red Sea Global (RSG), the multi-project developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism destinations, The Red Sea and

Amaala, has agreed to a pilot project to lay Partanna’s carbon negative concrete pavers at its landscape nursery. Partanna is the pioneer of the world’s first carbon negative concrete, with technology that not only avoids carbon emissions, but naturally removes it from the atmosphere. RSG has agreed a pilot project for the manufacture, delivery, and installation of an initial 11,000 carbon negative pavers.

The pavers will be placed at RSG’s landscape nursery, the largest in the region at one million m2, which is set to grow more than 30 million plants by 2030 to landscape The Red Sea and Amaala destinations.

Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, and the second largest developer and operator of branded residences globally, provided an update on the progress of its fastgrowing, branded residences business line. Currently, Accor is welcoming residents’ home at some 40 branded residence communities around the world, with another 100+ projects under development, across 20 distinct brand collections. By 2027, the company expects to have more than 150 branded residences in operation, an increase of more than 300%. These properties are supported by Accor One Living, the company’s industry-first platform focused on the development, design and operation of mixed-use projects and branded living communities. Through Accor One Living, homeowners, guests, and partners are connected to Accor’s diverse ecosystem of brands, expertise, and solutions – creating a constant flow of new opportunities to live, work, and play.

PALAZZO VERSACE DUBAI LAUNCHES ORO REWARDS, A NEW GUEST RECOGNITION PROGRAM

Palazzo Versace Dubai, the city’s most fashionable address, has launched a brand-new guest loyalty program, allowing members to enjoy a more immersive experience when they stay at the property with an array of benefits and the ability to earn and redeem rewards.

From the moment they join, members of the new ORO Guest Recognition Program can unlock a world of exclusive privileges and offers, whenever they stay at Palazzo Versace Dubai. Comprising three membership tiers – Emerald, Ruby, and Diamond – guests can avail extended benefits across the different tiers, including great savings on room rates, spa, and the property’s renowned dining outlets. Guests will get the chance to elevate their privileges the more they stay at Palazzo Versace Dubai and get rewarded time and time again. With increasing stays and visits every year, members can gather more points and upgrade to various elite status tiers, allowing them to unlock more benefits for added privileges and perks.

Inimitable creator of stylish hotels and resorts in exotic locales worldwide, General Hotel Management Ltd (GHM), announced the appointment of Hani Akkari as the new General Manager of The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort in Doha, Qatar. Hani’s stellar reputation garnered over 17 years of experience in some of the world’s most renowned luxury hotels will serve him well in his remit to oversee the hotel’s day-to-day operations and lead its commercial and strategic initiatives in his new role. He will also champion new projects to elevate the culinary experiences and service excellence to bring to life A Style to Remember at The Chedi Katara.