Behind the scenes: Baghdad’s hospitality potential
After years of conflict, Iraq is beginning to finally find its feet. Ralph Nader, CEO of Amber Consulting, investigates how the country’s hospitality sector is shaping up and why the capital is proving appealing to F&B brands.
New projects redefining the GCC hotel landscape
The hotel industry never stands still, which is ironic when you consider that as an industry, it encourages clients to sit back and relax! Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, gives us the lowdown on the fast-paced GCC hotel market, which is definitely raring to go.
Let’s talk art: Lebanon’s guesthouses and boutique hotels
Considered the art hub of the Middle East, Beirut — a city that has witnessed immense challenges over the past few years — has been upping its game in the boutique hotel world to offer guests something a little different. Yara Moukarzel, director of operations of L’Hôte Libanais, takes a closer look at how hotels in the capital and around Lebanon are using this powerful medium to their advantage.
GCC hotels can achieve net zero emissions by 2050
Hotels throughout the region can create a bespoke roadmap to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. While many independent hotels, three- and four-star properties lack the necessary support of consultants to design, plan and execute a carbon-neutral roadmap, major international hotel brands already have the necessary resources to achieve their sustainability goals. The main challenges are: carbon footprint assessments across the hotel and its value chain; a lack of financial resources, with little or no budget allocated for climate-related activities; higher costs associated with sustainable products; and insufficient regulatory incentives to support a hotel’s net zero transition.
Ecolodges in the Middle East: The new big thing
While global interest in ecotourism has been growing at a rapid pace, inflation has also started to shape travel choices. Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema consulting services, guides us around the ecolodges in the region which are increasingly attracting environmentally conscious travelers from around the world.
Dining etiquette with protocol expert Fadi LeSidon
Knowledgeable in protocol and etiquette, Fadi LeSidon is a sommelier, hospitality management consultant and faculty member of Sagesse University. Here, he provides a quick guide to dining etiquette..
Lebanon’s position in the tourism race by Ralph Nader CEO Amber Consulting
Of the many pearls of wisdom known to mankind, one particular lesson is mastered by the Lebanese people: in the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity (Sun Tzu). Ralph Nader, CEO of Amber Consulting, shares his thoughts on how Lebanon is maintaining a buoyant tourism sector.
Resorting to a new hospitality landscape
Tourism has been picking up, even reaching pre- Covid levels in some areas. Nagi Morkos, founder and managing partner at Hodema consulting services, considers the future of resorts.
Educating the hospitality professionals
Philippe Francois, president of AMFORHT and creator and developer of hotel, culinary arts and tourism schools, talks about how hospitality education is adapting to new trends and technological advancements, as well as the challenges being faced by hoteliers of the future.
Project Planning 101
Project planning is no easy feat, especially in business. Industry professional Chirine Salha outlines the fundamentals of getting a project off the ground and the key to ensuring it runs smoothly.