Laurent A. Voivenel’s take on AI during the Hospitality Innovation Summit 2023
During the Hospitality Innovation Summit 2023 panel on “Hotel Innovation: How to ensure relevance today and tomorrow,” Laurent A. Voivenel, SVP of operations and development EMEA and India Group Human Resources and Talent Development of Swiss-Belhotel International, highlighted the potential benefits and risks of AI. The panel was moderated by Christopher Lund, executive director and head of hotels for the MENA region at Colliers International, and other speakers on the panel included Imran Changezi, development senior director of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority; Ian Wilson, regional director for hospitality of NEOM; and Chadi Hauch, regional VP lodging development ME of Marriott International.
Inside the restaurant of the future
The design of a restaurant is far more than its color palette and choice of furnishings. Design is embedded in how we interact with the spaces around us and how we feel within them. Charlotte Mindus, B2B and marketing leader at Livit, a leading design firm, guides us through the restaurant of the future.
Ramadan culinary trends around the Middle East
Four accomplishes chefs take us on a culinary tour around the Middle East, sharing Ramadan food trends and iftar essentials.
Middle East and Africa region set to return to pre-pandemic levels of business travel spend by 2024
According to Business Travel Index Outlook annual forecast and outlook (2022), the business travel segment in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) is recovering more rapidly than in any other region. MEA business travel achieved 86 percent of its 2019 levels during 2022, outperforming the recovery in Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.
How to build a strong franchise
Whether you are a franchisor or a franchisee, there are several important considerations to take into account before entering into a franchise agreement, as Christian Salloum, founder and managing director of BrandPortunity Hospitality Consultancy, points out.
The rise of lifestyle hotels
Oliver Corrin, global head of interiors at Latitude, takes a closer look at the lifestyle hotel craze and the design trends defining them.
Bahrain: the ultimate escape destination
Hala Matar Choufany, president for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia at HVS, defines Bahrain’s hospitality scene and details what makes it the ultimate tourism destination.
Franchise trends in 2023
Hospitality experts agree that the industry has changed drastically post Covid-19, and the franchising space is no exception. Jad Shamseddin, COO of Aleph Hospitality, outlines the franchise trends and challenges that are likely to define 2023.
A different dining mindset
Enrico Clementi, managing partner and head of F&B strategy and advisory at Tribe Creators, gives us the lowdown on the evolving mindset of today’s diner.