From the Kingdom to the world: rethinking Saudi cuisine
In line with the Saudi Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy with an undeniable emphasis on tourism, Ralph Nader, CEO of Amber Consulting, highlights the importance of rethinking traditional Saudi dishes and its potential to become a globally recognized cuisine.
What does post-pandemic travel look like?
After several years of record lows and disruption, 2022 has marked the dawn of a new era for global tourism and hospitality. But even that does not come without its challenges, as Kostas Nikolaidis, Middle East and Africa executive for STR, explains.
Pulse check Saudi Arabia
With Saudi Arabia’s development pipeline looking stronger than ever, Nada Alameddine, partner at Hodema consulting services, guides us through the list of upcoming megaprojects and what they will bring to the kingdom’s hospitality scene.
Behind the bar scene
We asked a group of bartenders, bar managers and beverage experts to share their insights on the latest bar trends, which spirits are in demand, which new accessories are making waves and the key ingredients a bartender needs to succeed in the industry.
Forecasting 2023 with 11 hospitality experts
As 2022 draws to a close, 11 hospitality contributors unpack the past and share their predictions for the coming year. Here’s what they said…
Skyscanner forecasts Saudi travelers’ wants and expectations
New research from global travel site Skyscanner has revealed that Saudi Arabian holidaymakers will travel significantly in 2023 despite economic uncertainty, but price-led decision making will drive change. With 62 percent of travelers in Saudi Arabia planning to spend the same if not more on overseas travel next year, how they are going to spend this money will differ.
Phocuswright forecasts a boom in the global tours, activities and attractions industry
According to Phocuswright’s joint travel research report with Arival — The Outlook for Travel Experiences 2019-2025 — travel experiences represented USD 253 billion in global gross ticket revenue in 2019, making it the third-largest sector of tourism after transportation and accommodation. Tours, activities and attractions (TAA) was the hardest-hit area of travel during the pandemic but has bounced back largely due to shifts in traveler behavior. Post-pandemic changes in shopping and booking behavior have fueled the growth of the TAA industry.
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.
UAE country report: the great rebound
While most countries are back to pre-pandemic growth after two years of economic turmoil, the United Arab Emirates is reaping the rewards of its early vaccination efforts and measures to support hard-hit sectors. Nada Alameddine, managing partner at Hodema consulting services, paints a promising picture of the Emirates’ growth path and the exciting new development in its hospitality offering.
How hotels are using TikTok to market themselves
Nour Yamout Katanani, marketing and communications director at Advanced Tastes Holding Group, gives us the lowdown on how luxury hotels are using TikTok.