Honoring the high-flyers
Eleven trailblazing entrepreneurs were selected as finalists at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Startup Den 2023 recently, after edging the competition and impressing an esteemed judging panel with their forward-thinking, innovative business concepts. In a series of exclusive interviews compiled by HN and conducted by FHS, each finalist takes us on their start-up journey, from idea to implementation, and hurdles to highpoints.
Voice-commerce: something to shout about
Monica E. Chikhani, managing director and founder of MEC Workshop, explores how hospitality businesses can leverage the potential of Alexa and other voice assistants to strengthen customer engagement.
5 tips for creating a successful start-up
Ashleigh Donald, co-founder of Halo Business Consulting, shares her thoughts on how entrepreneurs can build a business that will stay the pace and generate interest for all the right reasons.
The future of work in the age of AI
Digital tools can help individuals and organizations work more efficiently and effectively without burning out or sacrificing work-life balance. In this article, Karl Escritt, CEO of Like Digital & Partners, unveils the new technologies defining the workplace.
Future-proofing the food industry
Tatiana Antonelli Abella, founder and managing director of Goumbook, explains how the region’s hospitality sector can spearhead efforts to create a more responsible and sustainable food ecosystem.
Future-proofing your F&B business
A successful opening is undoubtedly something to celebrate, but as anyone in the restaurant business knows, maintaining your spot in a competitive market is much more challenging. Extensive planning in the pre-opening phase and keeping on top of the basics afterward are among the steps that will help restaurateurs dodge the common pitfalls. Gebran Bekhazi, managing director of The Food Studio, shares his tips for long-term hospitality success.
Safari reimagined: how responsible travel drives profit
In today’s era of conscious consumerism and environmental responsibility, the hospitality industry stands at a crucial juncture. Zoé Gotti, founder of Complementation.ae, explores the symbiotic connection between responsible travel, purpose-driven initiatives and sustainable profitability. By studying successful sustainable businesses, such as desert safaris in Dubai, Gotti illustrates how this approach can catalyze global change.
Harnessing AI technology to drive up hotel revenue
Lovetto Nazareth, managing director of Prism, explains how AI-based digital marketing and price optimization strategies are revolutionizing the hotel-OTA partnership model.
Championing diversity in hospitality
In a world where cultural differences are celebrated, Chantal Milky, senior associate of HVS Executive Search, explores how the hospitality sector is promoting diversity and inclusivity.
An appetite for change
A collective effort is under way in the UAE to promote healthier and more sustainable food practices. Soniya Ashar, founder and CEO of NutriCal, tracks the transformation taking place across the country’s food ecosystem and considers what else needs to be done.