Portugal: a genuine culinary compass
Defined by both history and geography, Portuguese cuisine has plenty to offer diners,from its iconic sardines, fresh from the Atlantic Ocean, and popular cod, to its flavorsome Iberian pork and world-famous pastel del nata sweet treats. José Avillez, chef at Grupo José Avillez and a reference in Portuguese gastronomy, takes us on a culinary tour of his homeland, crossing mountains and coastal cities, with a little island-hopping in between.
The smart city: the future of living and hospitality in the Middle East
As urbanization accelerates globally, the Middle East is rapidly embracing smart city concepts to enhance growth, quality of life and sustainability. Custódio Barreiros Founder & CEO of EIP MGT GmbH, offers his perspective.
5 top tips for exporting to new markets
At a time when the region’s FMCG firms face a challenging economic environment, it makes sense to increase the focus on international sales. Sam A. Jaoude, consultant and CEO of Madenlebanon LLC, shares a checklist of essential steps to getting export ready.
To refurbish or to build new?
From firm favorites to fantastic fusion dishes, the ‘something old, something new’ mantra is taking kitchens by storm, as chefs switch up traditional recipes and play with flavors from across the globe. Chirine Salha, board member of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night-clubs & Pastries in Lebanon, unpacks the culinary trends that are traveling through time and across borders.
How to create a culinary landmark
Duncan Fraser-Smith, founder of The Cutting Edge Hospitality Agency and author of “Create to Plate,” discusses restaurant trends in Saudi Arabia and the broader global trends impacting the industry.
Why third-party operator contracts are gaining traction
In an industry marked for decades by tradition, new hotel operation contract models are producing shifts in the landscape. Jad Shamseddin, COO of Aleph Hospitality,, explains why these more recent additions are becoming increasingly popular.
Designing standout spaces for today’s guests
Creating memorable moments for customers has rightly become a top priority for hospitality providers and interior architecture is playing a key role in helping them to achieve these goals. Dina Murali, design director at DZ Design, shares her ideas on how to successfully evoke that all-important sense of place and create environments that will leave lasting impressions on visitors.
Regional hotel pipelines: from vision to reality
The regional hotel investment and development environment is undoubtedly dynamic, buoyed by a robust pipeline of ambitious and diverse projects. Kostas Nikolaidis, senior account manager MEA for STR, maps out the hotel projects which are collectively transforming the Middle East into a world-class tourism destination.
How to go the extra green mile in hotel development
Today’s travelers are seeking sustainable experiences that align with their values, offering industry investors and developers the opportunity to implement eco-solutions that are truly innovative. Daniel During, principal and managing director of Thomas Klein International, offers a definition of sustainable tourism which goes well beyond the dictionary versions and is one that the hospitality industry can’t afford to ignore.
5 reasons to include TV in your hotel marketing strategy
In an age of digital saturation, television advertising offers hotels a not-to-be missed opportunity to engage with guests on a deeper level. Remote in hand, Lovetto Nazareth, managing director at Prism Digital shares five ways in which hoteliers can leverage this often overlooked medium.