Dubai: scaling new heights
Cited in the Travellers’ Choice Awards 2023 by Tripadvisor as one of the most popular destinations, Dubai continues to shine and is already well on track for another bright year. Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services, puts a spotlight on the emirate’s latest plans to boost foreign trade, investment and visitor numbers.
Crafting exceptional guest experiences with Mehdi Zaanoun
Mehdi Zaanoun, a seasoned hospitality expert and the GM of Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar, talks about his two decades of expertise in crafting extraordinary guest experiences through authentic and intuitive service.
Firms foundations and strong fundamentals
Robust project pipelines, strong sentiment and long-term growth strategies look set to continue driving a sound recovery across the region, although financing and construction headwinds remain disruptive forces in the market. Amr El Nady, head of hotels and hospitality MEA and executive vice president, Global Hotel Desk – JLL, charts the hospitality investment landscape, while also highlighting new market opportunities.
A new chapter with Eddy Tannous, COO of Rotana
With over two decades of experience in the hospitality sector across the Middle East, Eddy Tannous has held prominent positions at major hotel brands. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of operations at Fairmont, overseeing the operational performance across the brand’s Middle East and Asian properties.
In the kitchen with Christopher Belen
As head chef of Stock Burger Co., Sirocco and in-room dining at Holiday Inn Doha – The Business Park, Christopher Belen enjoys experimenting with flavors. Here, we learn more about his favorite ingredients and how to make his surf and turf dish.
5 minutes with chef Simon Mouannes
Executive chef and consultant Simon Mouannes believes that in order to become a great chef, one must work with the best in the business. Here, he gives us a taste of the Saudi market and his upcoming projects.
Tech talk with Diego Martin, commercial manager for Furukawa Electric EMEA
As commercial manager for Furukawa Electric in EMEA, Diego Martin is an expert in the telecommunications market. Here, he sheds light on how Furukawa is helping hotels become digitally advanced to meet the needs of modern travelers.
Where sweet meets sour
Syrups are today firmly established as an essential ingredient for bartenders and mixologists worldwide, enabling these creatives to add flavor, taste and imagination to classic beverages or give new concepts a contemporary twist. We asked seven experts to share their thoughts on all things syrup-related, from trending flavors and industry innovations to how they achieve that perfect balance in a glass. Here’s what they had to say.
Hot Chocolate
Ten chocolatiers and pastry chefs tell us what’s creating a buzz on the scene of our favorite sweet treat, from exotic, imaginative combinations of flavors to non-dairy alternatives and single-origin, ethically sourced cocoa beans.
Empowering the F&B sector to source local talent
As Dubai solidifies its position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations, the critical role of vocational training in shaping a skilled workforce has never been clearer. In recent years, a remarkable shift in educational preferences has occurred, with an increasing number of students recognizing the immense value of vocational studies over traditional technical education. This transformative transition not only benefits the students themselves but also plays a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainable growth of the burgeoning tourism industry. In addition, a robust vocational offering aligns with a key priority of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to seamlessly integrate the next generation of Emiratis and young residents into the thriving tourism sector. Essa Bin Hadher, general manager of Dubai College of Tourism, shares his thoughts on investing in local talents.