Spotlight on Coral Beach Beirut with new GM Georges Chakra
Georges Chakra, general manager of Coral Beach Beirut, has a proven track record in the hospitality industry. With extensive experience in overseeing all aspects of the hotel, he shares his vision for establishing and cultivating a customer-centric service culture, as well as ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations that consistently surpass guest expectations.
Getting to know Imad Akil, GM of Centro Mada Amman by Rotana
With over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Imad Akil, GM of Centro Mada Amman by Rotana, has successfully led the opening of multiple hotels in the region. In addition, he has played a pivotal role in supporting Rotana’s head office through various field visits and corporate initiatives. We sat down with the accomplished hotelier to discuss the hotel’s sustainability pledge and how the Jordan’s hospitality sector is evolving.
Looking into the future of luxury hospitality with David Wilson
HN spoke with David Wilson, an industry veteran and GM of Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah, to find out what the future holds for the luxury property.
The profitability vs sustainability balancing act
Putting zero-waste initiatives into practice successfully can be a challenge for businesses, but will pay dividends over time, as Bastien Blanc, hotelier and co-founder of TroKadero Management, explains.
Sustainability defines Middle East’s luxury travel sector
Sustainability is becoming an important consideration within the Middle East’s luxury travel sector, especially in the UAE, where 61 percent of residents are willing to pay a premium for more responsible, eco-friendly and sustainable tourism experiences.
A greener picture of BOCA with Omar Shihab, founder and chief sustainability officer of BOCA restaurant
Omar Shihab, founder and chief sustainability officer of BOCA restaurant, is a versatile professional, who has taken on various roles in the hospitality industry. He has led a team of skilled chefs, managers, designers and experts to create exceptional hospitality concepts in the Gulf. A passionate advocate for sustainability, local sourcing and innovative dining experiences, Shihab has introduced several sustainability initiatives at BOCA, including waste reduction and local sourcing. He has been recognized for his efforts, winning the Gault&Millau UAE 2022 Sustainability Champion award, and is also an advisor to the UAE Restaurant Group and represents Food Made Good UAE, Thriving Solutions and Azraq.
Food delivery’s sustainable future
The F&B industry and food delivery services find themselves engaged in a tug of war, with businesses striving to increase profits while simultaneously considering the shift toward sustainability, which inevitably brings about operational changes. Tech disruptor and global entrepreneur Mohamed Al Fayed, CEO and co-founder of Grubtech, tackles the challenges faced by the industry to establish a delicate balance between financial growth and environmental consciousness.