What do guests really want?
Today’s travelers have diverse wish lists when planning their trips, featuring ‘must includes’ that range from eco-conscious, locally focused stays and wellness experiences that go beyond spas to loyalty programs and apps to make quick, easy bookings. With a list of his own at the ready, Jad Shamseddin, COO of Aleph Hospitality, shares his thoughts on the criteria motivating guests in 2023 and what hotels need to do to attract them.
Shaping the future of travel with data and behavioral science
Ernesto Sanchez Beaumont, managing director of Amadeus Gulf, knows a thing or two about global trends and how to leverage them for growth in an ever-changing industry. Here, he unlocks the ways data and behavioral are going to impact the future of travel.
Top 10 strategies to boost Lebanese exports
International FMCG consultant Sam A. Jaoude draws from his extensive studies and experience in North America to share his top 10 strategies for promoting and growing exports in Lebanon.
Why hybrid coffee shops are a win-win
Combining caffeine hits with lifestyle fits, today’s coffee shops offer much more than a quick pitstop, as Naim Maadad, chief executive and founder of Gates Hospitality explains.
Is F&B outsourcing on its way out?
Ralph Nader, CEO of Amber Consulting, charts the growing trend among hotel owners to take back their F&B offering inhouse and highlights the benefits of doing so, which include regaining control in key areas and opportunities to increase profits.
The gulf coffee takeover
From international brands to homegrown names, and now supported by apps and influencers, the regional coffee scene is booming. Cup in hand, Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services, tells us about the latest trends currently captivating coffee lovers across the MENA and beyond.
Why embedded insurance is on the rise
Embedded protection products are proving increasingly popular among customers in the post-pandemic travel revival. Peter Smith, vice president, Strategic Partnerships – Travel, EMEA, at Cover Genius, outlines the reasons.
Why we’re sticking with Japanese cuisine
Light, healthy and convenient, sushi unsurprisingly remains a top eating trend internationally, with regional appetite on the rise for sushi and other Japanese dishes. Nada Alameddine, managing partner at Hodema consulting services, tracks both the history of Japanese food and the latest trends, from humble rolls of rice to flavorsome fusion experience.
Anyone for tea
Spanning a variety of aromatic flavors and herbal infusions, created from leaves grown in the ancient gardens of China or Taiwanese mountains, tea is much more than a breakfast accompaniment or afternoon ritual. We asked four experts to share their thoughts on the perfect cup of tea, new trends and how the future’s shaping up for this ever-popular beverage.
Sustainable tourism gains momentum in the Middle East
Multidisciplinary tourism professional Naiara Lopez Giner, Colliers’ associate manager of Tourism Advisory Lead Hospitality & Tourism in the Middle East and North Africa, dives into the region’s booming tourism sector and provides an overview of the ambitious visions and objectives driving sustainable initiatives for a responsible and eco-conscious future.