www.tophotelme.com
9-10 2017
MIDDLE EAST
ESSENTIAL READING FOR THE HOTEL INDUSTRY
IHG’s
talent force
45
SEVEN TIDES BRINGS KHYBER TO DUBAI
38
BICE’S NEW CHEF DAVIDE GARDINI
52
AZERBAIJAN
CATERING TO THE ARAB TRAVELLER
Top hotel Wellness A dedicated look at the regional wellness industry
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Excellent place to work InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is an award winning group of companies to work with. It was bestowed with the title of AON Best Employer Globally by AON Hewitt. The accreditation is part of the“Aon Best Employers”programme which evaluates an employer’s effectiveness in creating a workplace environment that engages and enables its people to deliver competitive advantage. The assessment is done through a survey data collected directly from colleagues based on four indices: Engagement, Leadership, Performance Culture and Employer Brand. The accolade is complemented by a country-level accreditation in 46 out of the 64 countries assessed – including the UAE – by AON Hewitt. The group was also awarded a Great Place to Work certification in India for the third consecutive year. “Additionally, we invest in programmes such as IHG Academy to help create a significant and hospitality-specific talent pool within the communities that we operate in. This programme also enables us to give back to the communities, by creating sustainable employment opportunities for the local workforce,”says Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer IMEA, InterContinental Hotels Group. (page 26) Khyber has opened in Dubai. It’s a Mumbai favourite restaurant and Seven Tides has invested wisely in bringing this gem to our shores. We take a detailed look at the behind the scenes that went into this F&B opening. (page 45) We’ve also spoken with Rashid Al Noori, Chairman, Representative Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan in GCC, about the growth of Azerbaijan’s tourism sector and how it caters to its target market: the Arab traveller. Plus lots more hospitality news, events and happenings. See you all in November.
Munawar Shariff Managing Editor munawar@signaturemediame.com
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 3
INTERCONTINENTAL DUBAI - FESTIVAL CITY_CLUB FLOOR LOUNGE
CONTENTS
MARCH/APRIL 2016 ISSUE 16
45
26
52
06 TOP HOTEL UNDERCOVER 45 Dubai’s very own Khyber 66 PRODUCTS REVIEW A mall attraction Wellness and beyond Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides
The Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, is a beautiful and busy property right inside the mall
10 NEWS All the latest from hotels in the region 20 TOPHOTELPROJECTS
Global hospitality happenings
Hotels - upping the standards everyday
26 COVER
The talent force
Pascal Gauvin, COO IMEA, InterContinental Hotels Group, speaks about the group’s recruitment policies
and Sudheer Bahl, owner of Khyber Mumbai, talk about the flourishing F&B industry and Khyber Dubai respectively
52 DESTINATION REPORT
The business of tourism
Azerbaijan’s tourism sector is catering to its target market: the Arab traveller
38 CHEF INTERVIEW Munawar Shariff in conversation with Bice’s Head Chef, Davide Gardini
4 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
For the greater good
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham JBR are driving forward with their CSR activities
Valerie McMurray, Founder and CEO, Soleil Toujours, aims to educate the market on the sunscreen
Top chef
68 COMMUNITY
TOUJOURS How your sunscreen could be killing you
62 TREATMENT FOCUS -
Today’s high end skin care products impact the face in the best way possible
60 BRAND FOCUS - SOLEIL
32 Change is the only constant The 18th edition of the Hotel Show Dubai is set to take the industry by storm
NATURA BISSE’S MINDFUL TOUCH Treading new ground
Laura Gamboa, Director of Corporate Education & Spa Development at Natura Bisse International, talks about the brand’s innovative The Mindful Touch experience
59
TOP HOTEL UNDERCOVER
ABOUT TOP HOTEL UNDERCOVER... Building on the legacy established by our big brother publication - Top hotel - in Germany, Top hotel Middle East sets out to highlight all that is great and good about the five-star properties in the Middle East, as well as the things that such prestigious properties should really do better. Top hotel has built its reputation on fair and balanced assessment of five-star hotels in Europe and beyond; we now pledge to carry on that tradition in the Middle East. We hope that by highlighting the good and the bad, we can help to raise standards across the region and recognise the properties that have clearly got it right.
6 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
TOP HOTEL UNDERCOVER
A mall attraction
The Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the Emirates
The Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the Emirates, is a beautiful and busy property right inside the mall. Giving guests the advantage of being in the centre of a high end shopping experience, not to mention a number of options for whatever the mood craves in terms of food. A win-win experience overall Located in the most popular mall in Dubai, the Sheraton Dubai Mall of the Emirates is quietly tucked in on one side of the ginormous mall. With 481 rooms including 94 suites, this property is also in close proximity to many of the major tourist attractions such as the Jumeirah Beach, Burj Al Arab, the JBR shopping district and open air mall, Dubai Marina as well as Al Quoz.
RESERVATION After checking online to get an idea of rates, we called the property. The response was good with full information on all our queries. Even though the reservation desk was not available when we called, we received a call instantly and were informed on the rates and other details. If you are a Starwood member or a Marriott Rewards member, booking through the property entitles you to even better rates than what is advertised on all the leading online travel agency (OTA) sites. Including breakfast and taxes and the Tourism Dirham, the rate was AED 768.56 per night.
Evaluation: Good
CHECK-IN We arrived sometime past three in the afternoon. The lobby is on the fifth level and we were told to proceed there to complete check-in formalities. The lobby was busy with a lot of tour groups and their guests checking in. Which is not surprising not only for what the hotel offers but also the amazing rates.
Evaluation: Good SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 7
TOP HOTEL UNDERCOVER
ROOM 2107 The room was large. It had a spacious entry way with the bathroom on the left as you entered and spacious closet space facing the bathroom with a large mirror on the closet’s sliding doors. The rack to keep the luggage was inside the closet. As you entered the room there was a large table which was a study as well as had a cabinet attached to it which had the mini-bar and fridge in it. The bed was on the left.
Evaluation: Excellent
BATHROOM The bathroom was spacious with a single sink and mirror right opposite the entrance of the bathroom with the wc on the left and the tub with a rain shower head attached on the ceiling. Amenities were by Shine for Sheraton. The spa which is at every Sheraton.
Evaluation: Good
BREAKFAST AT BESH TURKISH KITCHEN The breakfast buffet from 6.30am-11 am had everything one would expect to see at a five star property. All of that and more. The restaurant is located on the same level as the lobby. The restaurant was huge and the best part was there weren’t too many people when we arrived and we got a very beautiful table for breakfast. The entire breakfast menu was fantastic with a large variety to choose from.
Evaluation: Good
CHECK-OUT 15.00PM Check-out was smooth and swift. We had requested for a late check out and our request was accommodated.
Evaluation: Good
8 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
TOP HOTEL UNDERCOVER
Sheraton Dubai, Mall of the Emirates
Reservation:
Good
Check-in:
Good
Room:
Top hotel ratings 0-20 - Un-satisfactory 21-40 - Poor 41-60 - Satisfactory 61-80 - Good 81-100 - Excellent
Excellent
Bathroom:
Good
Floor service:
Good
Landscaping:
Satisfactory
Breakfast buffet:
Good
Fitness:
Good
Corridors, elevators, stairs:
Good
Housekeeping:
Good
Check out:
Good 0
20
40
60
80
100
Total: 65% TOP HOTEL UNDERCOVER OPINION:
Good
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 9
Region’s growing influence as a luxury destination THE REGION’S GROWING influence as a high-end tourist destination has been reaffirmed after the Middle East Hospitality Awards (MEHA) announced hotels from four different countries as their Luxury Hotel of the Year finalists for 2017. Resorts in Oman, Kuwait, Morocco, and the UAE have been pitted against one another for the annual prize-giving’s most sought after title – the first time in the awards’ six-year history that all four finalists have come from different nations. The five-star-rated properties identified as the Middle East’s most luxurious are Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara; Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa Kuwait; Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca; and Palazzo Versace Dubai. “We received hundreds of entries this year, covering
Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara (Oman) - beach view pool villa
Gary Rhodes OBE, Michelin-starred Chef & Restaurateur, Ambassador and Judge, MEHA 2017
Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca (Morocco)
more of a geographic reach than ever before,” said Gary Williams, Event Director of The Hotel Show Dubai, organisers of the Middle East Hospitality Awards.“Our finalists across all our award categories include hotels from Kuwait, Palazzo Versace Dubai (UAE) - pool Oman, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, and the UAE, with five-star hotels from four of those competing for one of our top prizes. The stellar line-up for Luxury Hotel of the Year confirms the Middle East’s growing position as one of the world’s
10 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa Kuwait - pool
most impressive destinations for luxury hospitality.” Dubai has the most properties represented in the shortlist, with almost 50 different properties nominated across the awards’ 17 categories. One of the city’s most iconic hotels, Atlantis The Palm Dubai, is up for the most awards this year with four shortlisted entries: Hospitality Leader of the Year (Serge Zaalof, Chief Operating Officer, Atlantis Resorts & Residences), Head Chef of the Year (Grégoire Berger, Ossiano), Most Impressive Hotel Feature (The Dale Chihuly Sculpture), Best Use of Technology (Wi-Q).
H.E Reem Al-Hashimi discusses Expo 2020 progress with Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor H.E. REEM AL-HASHIMI, UAE Minister of State and Managing Director for the Dubai World Expo 2020 Bid Committee, called in on Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founding Chairman, Al Habtoor Group at the Al Habtoor Group head office. H.E. briefed Al Habtoor on the progress made for the Dubai Expo 2020 and discussed plans for the land that will be used for the World Expo following the event. The Expo site, which covers 438 hectares, is located within the Dubai South District, near Al Maktoum International Airport. The minister said it was important for the government to ensure that the development is sustainable after the six-monthlong exhibition, which will revolve around trade and innovation. Al-Hashimi is meeting with prominent people in the UAE to discuss plans for the site post-event. The government has invested billions of dirhams ahead of the 2020 World Expo, which is expected to draw in between 25-30 million visitors between October 2020 and April 2021, according to official statistics.
Emaar Hospitality Group announces the signature Address Fashion Avenue in Downtown Dubai EMAAR HOSPITALITY GROUP, the hospitality and leisure business of Emaar Properties PJSC, announced the roll-out of its 28th upcoming hotel project – the signature Address Fashion Avenue, located directly opposite the iconic Burj Khalifa and linked to the Fashion Avenue in The Dubai Mall that is currently being expanded. Address Fashion Avenue, featuring the 167-room Address Fashion Avenue hotel and Address Residences Fashion Avenue with only 78 high-end residences, also marks the Group’s 20th hotel project under its premium luxury brand Address Hotels and Resorts, and the 12th Address project in Dubai. Address Fashion Avenue stands out for its spectacular location next to Burj Khalifa, and near the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard. Linked directly to the Fashion Avenue, a veritable showcase of flagship outlets by the
world’s leading fashion brands in The Dubai Mall, the project is one of the last developments in Downtown Dubai. The project complements the ongoing expansion of The Dubai Mall, which will witness the Fashion Avenue being expanded to add over 150 international fashion brands as well as a selection of restaurants and leisure attractions. Living up to the name, Address Fashion Avenue will celebrate its ‘fashion connection’ with a contemporary design and elegant architectural features. Address Residences Fashion Avenue, with only 48 one-bedroom and 30 two-bedroom apartments, also redefines style and comfort. Fully serviced by Address Hotels and Resorts, the interiors are thoughtfully planned and laid out, and every aspect of the apartment designed to maximise the style factor associated with this prestigious project.
Address Fashion Avenue
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 11
Hilton Abu Dhabi appoints new GM HANS SCHILLER HAS been appointed as the Cluster General Manager at Hilton Abu Dhabi and Hilton Al Ain. The hospitality veteran brings with him 25 years of work experience in the industry spanning the Pan Arab region, including stints in the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In his new role, Hans will take the reins of the operations of two iconic Hilton hotels in the UAE – Hilton Abu Dhabi and Hilton Al Ain. His focus will remain on engagement with guests and his team to elevate the hotels’ standards by providing
Hilton Abu Dhabi
Hans Schiller Cluster General Manager Hilton Abu Dhabi and Hilton Al Ain
par excellence service. A German national, Hans kicked off his career in the hotel industry in 1989 after he equipped himself with two degrees in the field. He graduated from the Dr Speiser Hotel Management School and followed it with a Kitchen Apprentice Degree in Culinary Skills. “I strongly believe that the success
of a hospitality brand depends on team work and each staff member’s passion and attitude towards the work,”Hans Schiller, Cluster General Manager at Hilton Abu Dhabi and Hilton Al Ain, said.“In my new role, I will focus on growing the talent we have in-house at both hotels and set the tone for a high-performance culture to create a synergistic impact on hospitality.”
Over 1.2 million Middle East travellers land in Turkey in 2017 ACCORDING TO DATA released by the Turkish Consulate General Cultural and Information Office in Dubai, 1,226,665 Middle East travellers landed in Turkey between January and June 2017. Tourist traffic to Turkey from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) resident and nationals (GCC) continued to show strength, rising 26.29 per cent as compared to 2016. The number of United Arab Emirates citizens and residents traveling to Turkish destinations increased by 9.86 per cent. While Kuwaiti traveller numbers increased by 41.04 per cent and 31.86 per cent from Bahrain. “We expect GCC traveller traffic to
12 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
Turkey to continue its strong growth over the coming six months,” says Salih Ozer, Attaché of Culture and Information, Turkey to the UAE.“Turkey continues to be a leading destination for GCC travellers due to our close cultural, religious and diplomatic ties with the region.” The most visited site in Istanbul was the Hagia Sophia, the Orthodox basilica turned imperial mosque, which graces the city’s amazing skyline. That was followed by the Sultan Ahmed Mosque or Blue Mosque as it’s popularly known, and finally, the Topkapı Palace that served as the Ottman Empire’s administrative headquarters in the 15th century.
Salih Ozer, Attaché of Culture and Information, Turkey to the UAE
New Slovenian natural sites added to UNESCO world heritage list AT THE 41ST SESSION of World Heritage Committee in Krakow, Poland, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has inscribed 63 new areas of ancient and primeval beech forest in 10 countries onto the World Heritage List. Among them are two areas in Slovenia: the Krokar virgin forest and the SnežnikŽdrocle forest reserve. The Krokar virgin forest is an example of untouched primeval forest in the heart of the well-preserved forests of the Kocevje region, which is also part of the Natura 2000 network in Slovenia. The Snežnik-Ždrocle forest
Forest
Ljubljana by Janez Kotar
reserve consists of ancient beech forest with sections of primeval forest. Like Krokar, it lies within a larger forest area that is included in the Natura 2000 network. Addition to the list represents recognition for Slovenia and a commitment to further enhance the protection of both forest reserves and other beech forest ecosystems in the future. The primeval beech forests of Krokar and Snežnik-Ždrocle joined the Škocjan Caves on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The caves, inscribed 30 years ago, were up to now the only natural monument in Slovenia on the UNESCO list.
Thailand Live Gastronomy festival to boost culinary tourism in the Kingdom THE TOURISM AUTHORITY of Thailand (TAT) is organising the ‘Thailand Live Gastronomy’ festival as part of the strategies to put greater emphasis on Gastronomy Tourism, which is considered as an important part of the travel through unique Thai local experiences.
Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor
The event will be showcasing must-try signature local dishes from around the country in the ‘Original’ section, special menus from seven famous Street Food areas of Bangkok, and fresh seafood from fisherman villages in the Southern Region. Thailand’s signature dishes including Tom Yum Kung. Phat Thai, Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad), Massaman
Celebrated chef Marc Haeberlin joins luxury Swiss resort Bürgenstock THE BÜRGENSTOCK RESORT Lake Lucerne has welcomed Chef Marc Haeberlin of the legendary three-star Michelin restaurant L’Auberge de L’Ill in Alsace as Signature Chef for its restaurant at the Palace Hotel, RitzCoffier by Marc Haeberlin. The fourth generation of Michelin-starred chefs in his family, Chef Marc Haeberlin helms the award-winning L’Auberge de L’Ill and will be looking to share his creative talent and expertise with food lovers from around the world, none more so than the growing numbers of Middle East travellers to Switzerland. “An expanding multi-ethnic, young and affluent society, supplemented by a growing tourism sector continue to drive the GCC region’s appetite for food, with Dubai, in particular, quickly establishing itself as a world leader in gastronomy. Top chefs Gordon Ramsey, Gary Rhodes and Jason Atherton all have restaurants in Dubai,”Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said.“We have found many travellers to Switzerland from the Middle East enjoy a great appreciation for quality, international cuisine.” In announcing the collaboration with Chef Haeberlin, Schöpfer added,“Marc Haeberlin is recognised as one of the world’s finest chefs and after 50 years of creating memorable cuisine, he continues to innovate. Chef Haeberlin describes his style of cooking as ‘a cuisine of the region, using regional products and a lot of passion’. This is an appointment of creative quality.”
Curry, and Green Curry – voted among the World’s 50 Best Foods by CNN Travel readers – will also be available for visitors to enjoy. In addition, four of Thailand’s famous tuk-tuks or three-wheeled auto rickshaws will also be converted into local food trucks. “Gastronomy Tourism is one of the key highlights in the TAT’s marketing plan 2018 to heighten Thailand as a preferred destination. We aim to leverage the uniqueness of Thai food to motivate tourists and foodies to embark on a culinary journey to taste signature dishes in renowned towns and cities across the country as a way of exploring unique Thai culture and ways of life,”Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor said.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 13
Top Hotel Wellness news VLCC and Cigalah Group sign partnership to launch VLCC Wellness Centres in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia GLOBAL BEAUTY AND wellness brand, VLCC, and Saudi business house and healthcare services and products player, Cigalah, announced a strategic partnership to launch VLCC Wellness centres in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), starting with Jeddah. The VLCC centres will offer the latest skin, dermatology and hair care services and treatments. The centres will be equipped with the latest US-FDA and European-CE standard compliant appliances and will offer the very latest in scientific weight management programmes, aimed to improve the overall wellness index of the VLCC customers in the Kingdom, through non-invasive, dietary modification, behavioural modification and physical activity-based solutions. The company plans to set up six VLCC
man, VLCC Group said. Wellness centres in the According to a report Kingdom over the next by the Department of three years, with the first Basic Sciences, College one scheduled to open in of Science & Health Jeddah by November this Professions, King Saud year. It is estimated that a bin Abdulaziz Univertotal investment of over sity for Health Sciences AED 30 million (about (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, US$ 8.2 million) will go the rate of obesity is into setting up these continuously increasing centres. and the overall obesity “We have been very will increase to 41 per keen to enter the Saudi cent in men and 78 per market with our VLCC Mr. Mukesh Luthra , cent in women by 2022 Wellness centres for Chairman, VLCC Group in Saudi Arabia. The some time now and look report also states that a higher number of forward to working to address the issues of obesity, which is increasingly become a pub- males are overweight while obesity is more prevalent in females. lic health hazard,”Mukesh Luthra, Chair-
Journey to Cheval Blanc Randheli’s Spa Island CHEVAL BLANC RANDHELI invites guests to enjoy a full day dedicated to bespoke beauty treatments by Guerlain. The experience starts by setting sail aboard a traditional dhoni to the Maison’s dedicated Spa Island, where six thatched villas overlook the crystal-clear waters of the lagoon. While the sun slowly rises, guests are invited to enjoy a series of exclusive Guerlain treatments. Couples will be able to discover the new Extended Sensorial Experience, an indulgent ritual in the exclusive Orchidée Villa for two with a tailored enhancement. The guests are invited to choose any one-hour Guerlain ritual for the face and body for a long and intense relaxation, adding an additional 30-minute treatment from the following selection: Ice Bubble Facial Massage, Hand Reflexology, Guided Meditation Session or the Paraffin Hand and Feet Experience. While guests enjoy their stay on the Spa
14 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
Island, they are also invited to taste the healthydishes of the Spa Bar, to relax in the fresh water of the swimming pool and to enjoy the sun and sand on the island’s private beaches.
Cheval Blanc Randheli Spa Island
At the end of the day, serene and full of energy, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset on the Indian Ocean from a dhoni, sailing back to Randheli island – a perfect end to this rejuvenating day.
Timeless Spa’s double victory at Haute Grandeur Global Spa Awards 2017 TIMELESS SPA AT Dubai International Hotel is delighted to announced double accolades at the Haute Grandeur Global Spa Awards 2017, being awarded the“Best Signature Spa Treatment”in the Middle East along with the“Best Hotel Spa”in the United Arab Emirates. The Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards promise to raise service delivery levels by awarding only the very best in the industry, celebrating the very best in hotel experiences across 7 continents, 172 countries and 90 categories. Participating hotels are generally seen as the benchmark in the industry as they create awareness about the value and importance of constantly raising the bar of excellence. After receiving a series of accolades in the previous years, the
Timeless Spa at Dubai International Hotel
Timeless Spa at Dubai International Hotel continues its winning streak. Equipped with 71 treatment rooms spread across Terminals 1 and 3 at the Dubai International Airport, the Timeless Spa continues to provide
customers with world class treatments and warm friendly service. The spa is a haven of calm for travellers passing through one of the world’s busiest airports, and an ideal place to unwind, renew and rejuvenate between flights.
Saray Spa wins ‘Best Male Spa’ globally and launches menu just for men seven reinvigorating treatments tailored to THE WORLD LUXURY Spa Awards set concerns of the modern man. It includes benchmarks in quality, innovation and a range of massages, scrubs and facials all service for spas around the globe and includes luxury spas in 32 different catego- specifically tailored to business men on the ries on a country, regional, continent and global basis. Voting is based on service excellence and is cast by spa guests. This is Saray Spa at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai’s second award, having also won Best Hydrotherapy Treatment at the Middle East Pool and Spa Awards in September 2016. The 17-room spa has a vast area dedicated to male treatments, alongside a cutting-edge Techno-gym and Graffio barber. To celebrate the Best Male Spa accolade, the Saray Spa team has designed a new menu featuring in demand treatments for men in Dubai. Created with both the spa novice and frequent male spa-goer Saray Spa at JW Marriott Marquis Dubai in mind, the new menu encompasses
go, executives looking to de-stress, sports enthusiasts and athletes, and those simply wanting to press re-boot or look their best for an upcoming occasion.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 15
AVANI to debut in the Maldives with development of AVANI Fares Resort AVANI HOTELS & Resorts announced the development of its first resort in the Maldives. AVANI Fares Maldives Resort will be located on Fares Island in the Baa Atoll and is scheduled to open in Q4 2019. Ideal for millennial minded travellers, this untouched, private 12.4-hectare island will provide a natural playground surrounded by a soft white sandy beach and every colour of blue imaginable. This US$ 70-million resort development is a joint venture partnership between Minor Hotels and Cyprea Group. Cyprea Group’s diversified Sri Lanka and Maldives business portfolio includes ownership and operation of Club Med Kani Maldives Resort located in North Male’ Atoll. “The AVANI design philosophy is
interestingly relaxed and contemporary and in tune with the environment of this daevelopment, using natural textures, colours and materials that reflect the location whilst incorporating advanced technology
Fares Island, Maldives
and modern conveniences,”Alejandro Bernabe, Group Director AVANI Hotels & Resorts said. The new upscale AVANI Fares Maldives Resort will comprise 200 guest rooms, including standard rooms and a selection of villas. Every attention will be given to wellbeing. The décor will be a blend of comfort and modernity, soothing materials, textures and high-tech equipment such as complimentary WiFi, media hub docking station and 40-inch flat screen TV.
Emily Knight, new Restaurant Manager at The Beach House Restaurant at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort THE BEACH HOUSE Restaurant at Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort appointed Emily Knight as its new restaurant manager. She will work alongside the resort’s Food and Beverage Director to oversee day-to-day operations, and arrange promotions and activities to generate revenue for the restaurant. Giacomo Puntel Food and Beverage Director said,“Her background in restaurants and extensive hospitality in the UAE will help solidify The Beach Emily Knight House Restaurant to be as one of the most unique and preferred dining venues in the city.” A British national, Knight has over three years of hospitality experience in Dubai, and holding a bachelor’s degree in Travel and Tourism Management from Loughborough University.
16 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
Anantara Dubai - The Beach House restaurant
World’s largest TRYP by Wyndham Hotel set to open in Dubai WYNDHAM HOTEL GROUP, the hotel giant with 19 brands and an unmatched global presence of more than 8,100 hotels in 79 countries announced the opening of the world’s largest TRYP by Wyndham Dubai at Al Thanayah 1, Barsha Heights, Dubai. TRYP by Wyndham is a hotel brand that is Powered by the City, and celebrates the spirit of the urban traveller by offering an insider’s look at a destination’s unique character. TRYP by Wyndham hotels can be found in the heart of the world’s most exciting cities, including Abu Dhabi, Brisbane, Barcelona, Berlin, Madrid, New York City, Paris, Sao Paulo – and now Dubai. TRYP by Wyndham Dubai Lobby is located in the city’s stylish
Barsha Heights district, and will offer guests access to the best the city has to offer. The hotel is contemporary in design and boasts 650 rooms, including 25 fitness rooms and 25 family rooms, which feature family friendly amenities
Premium Room
including separate living room with convertible sofa bed and an extra bathroom. All rooms have sleek and stylish décor, and provide free Wi-Fi, a safe, a minibar and inroom streaming entertainment. In addition, TRYP VYP rooms feature a plush premium bed, balcony and exclusive access to the VYP executive lounge.
Emaar Hospitality Group launches innovative service culture programme to enhance guest experience EMAAR HOSPITALITY GROUP, the hospitality and leisure business of Emaar Properties PJSC, has launched an innovative service culture programme that aims to transform every touch point of the guest journey into a genuine lifestyle experience. The new ‘service culture programme’ focuses on employees, and includes a series of workshops and training sessions to inculcate the ‘service mindset’ further. It is based on
the ‘Reverse Thinking’ approach, developed by Performance Solutions, which focuses on the desired guest experience for determining the optimal staff behaviour, working climate and leadership. This is underlined by research by Bain & Company that while 80 per cent of companies surveyed believed they deliver a ‘superior experience’ to their customers, only 8 per cent of the customers agreed to it. This ‘experience gap’ between the service provider and customers is being addressed through the Reverse Thinking. As part of the programme, Emaar Hospitality Group will roll out a collaborative experiential approach – both internally and externally – and empower staff to make sound decisions around those experiences. A seven-phase programme, this would involve training
sessions – practical and insightful learning – to work together and challenge outdated norms. Emaar Hospitality Group and its three distinctive lifestyle brands will benefit from direct customer insights and help shape a more robust customer experience mindset, applied across all its entities and operations. During the rollout of the programme that covers 18 months, all Emaar Hospitality Group employees will live and experience a ‘Guest Experience Blueprint’ at different levels though several experiential trainings, activities and workshops, executed by trained internal ‘Brand Experience Coaches’. The Experience Blueprint will also be used as a basis for recruitment and selection tools ensuring that new staff will connect with the values and service culture of Emaar Hospitality Group in a real manner, delivering the desired guest experiences. A ‘rewards programme’ designed to recognise each employee, who facilitates the desired guest experience will sustain the service culture. There will also be regular follow-up activities including daily challenges.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 17
Aloft Al Ain uses Savvy Technology, creating personalised experience for guests ALOFT HOTELS, PART of Marriott International has launched a revolutionary hotel model in Al Ain that puts innovation at the forefront. Located in the heart of Al Ain in Al Towayya, the hotel creates a modern, stylish and personalised experience for guests by providing realtime tech solutions in the guest rooms, the kitchen, business centre and the other hotel facilities. Perfect for both business and leisure travellers, the hotel’s SPG Keyless application allows members of the Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) program to use their smartphone to check in, get their room number and unlock their door. SPG Keyless works through the SPG app, which can be downloaded for iPhone and Android. Further enhancing the in-
room experience, the guest rooms also feature super-fast USB charging stations, Bluetooth speakers, wireless printers and electronic do not disturb facility and paperless checkout options. The hotel’s REX (Room Expeditor)
is the first hospitality application to revolutionise the housekeeping room assignment process and effectively change how room attendants work. All rooms are fitted with an efficient energy management system and the motion sensors switch off lights and other electronic equipment when the guest leaves the room. The kitchen also has an electronic display screen for orders and a centralised online system that alerts management on the completion of orders. Foodies are in for a treat when dining at Aloft Al Ain as chefs prepare delicious dishes using a sous-vide cooking method to enhance the flavours.
Eagle Hills signs AED 300 million financing facility for The Address Fujairah Resort and Spa EAGLE HILLS HAS signed a AED 300 million (about US$ 82 million) facility with the National Bank of Fujairah (NBF) to finance the ongoing construction of The Address Fujairah Resort and Spa, a luxury hotel and residential development in Fujairah.
Staybridge Suites Alandalus Mall Jeddah Lobby 18 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
Located in Sharm Fujairah, famous for its breath-taking landscape of mountains and uninterrupted sea views, the project comprises The Address Hotel with a range of five-star amenities and four residential buildings that include 170 branded apart-
ments, five beach villas and five garden villas. The development also features a 500-metre promenade, beach access, and a unique plaza. The facility agreement endorses Eagle Hills’ luxury development as a sound investment for customers, while demonstrating the company’s commitment to collaborating with key local institutions and organisations in Fujairah. The agreement also ensures a smooth mortgage model for customers and investors looking to purchase the luxury properties, and who wish to finance their purchases through the National Bank of Fujairah. “This strategic agreement with a trusted bank represents an important milestone in the development of The Address Fujairah Resort and Spa. It will further reassure customers about their investments in a project that will be delivered in a timely fashion, whilst adhering to the world-class standards of Eagle Hills and The Address Hotels & Resorts,”Low Ping, CEO of Eagle Hills said.
Over 100 HR and training experts from Dubai’s hospitality sector participate in Dubai college of tourism forum MORE THAN 100 human resources experts from Dubai’s hospitality sector attended the second DCT HR Forum organised recently by the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT). The Forum was designed to provide recruitment and training specialists in hotels the opportunity to get a better understanding of UAE’s labour laws and find solutions to various work-related challenges. DCT, an institution established by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism), plays a key role in human resources development in the emirate’s tourism industry and serves as a crucial link between Dubai Tourism and the trade to further enhance the quality of tourism services and the overall visitor
experience. During the event held at The Address Boulevard Hotel, speakers from government and private sector entities addressed the gathering of human resources professionals,
Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa appoints new GM JUMEIRAH MESSILAH BEACH Hotel & Spa, Kuwait’s idyllic resort, has appointed Savino Leone, as General Manager. With a focus on exceeding guest expectations and instilling a Culture of Service Excellence, Leone’s expertise of over 20 years in the luxury hospitality spans Asia, Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Leone held the role of several senior management positions in InterContinental properties, such as Resident Manager of InterContinental Doha, Executive Assistant of Food & Beverage in Cairo, as well Food & Beverage Manager in London and Assistant Food & Beverage Manager in Dubai. His passion for local knowledge and different cultures has helped him achieve recognition for supporting diversity and his empowering approach to leading, educating, inspiring, and engaging his team. In his new role, Leone, who speaks fluent French, English, and Italian, will be responsible for running the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa which offers 316 rooms & suites, 79 residential suites, Royal Suite, 12 private luxurious villas, Talise Spa, and 7 unique restaurants.
covering topics such as Emiratisation, labour laws, and recruitment of staff. The participants were able to glean useful information and get advice from experts during the Q&A session that followed each presentation.
The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi installs four Tesla chargers THE ST. REGIS Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi has installed four Tesla Destination Charging connectors in a ground-breaking ‘green’ initiative. Free to use, the facilities are available to all members of the public, residents and whether or not they are guests of the hotel. The resort’s underground car park has been equipped with 12 charging points – four Tesla charging stations and a further eight ‘universal’ ones, compatible with other brands. Drivers may enter the resort freely to use the facilities. The move reflects a growing interest in electric vehicles (EV) in the UAE which has seen at least five major automotive firms enter the market within the past two years. Back in January, the Electric Vehicle Road Trip (EVRT), an industry initiative to promote sustainable transport, made its Emirati debut. The four-day event, organised by London-based company Global EVRT, saw 11 people drive EVs more than 700km across the country, traversing from one charging point to another and installing nine new ones en-route. The addition of these facilities has opened a whole new stretch up to EV motorists.
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Global hospitality
happenings Hotels around the world are expanding and enhancing their service offering, upping the standards everyday. That is what hotels do best. Here is a look at the hospitality happenings around the world courtesy www.tophotel.news
A look into China’s Wanda Hotels and Resorts
China’s Wanda Hotels and Resorts
China’s Wanda Hotels and Resorts has been in the news quite a bit recently. From reports of the detention of group chairman Wang Jianlin to the apparent sales of hotels and tourism projects to the tune of US$9.3 billion, things are looking precarious for the Asian hotel giants. But what do we know about Wanda in terms of their hotels? We take a closer look at this notorious brand. Founded in 2012 in Shanghai, China, Wanda Hotels and Resorts has amassed over 100 hotels in a short space of time, and has established itself as China’s largest 5-star investment and management company, with a combined key count of over 32,000 across all its properties. Fast on its way to becoming China’s premier hotel brand, it operates hotels all over the People’s Republic, but has its sights set on far away lands as well, with properties set to open in London, Sydney, Chicago, Los Angeles and the Gold Coast in the not too distant future. Under the group’s umbrella, they operate four hard brands – Wanda Realm, Wanda Reign, Wanda Jin and Wanda Vista. This luxury 5-star chain operates 26 hotels in total. Wanda Reign offers guests an“Imperial Welcome”and combines traditional Chinese customs with a touch of British class, such as a butler service, as well as the majestic architecture of their hotels. Wanda Vista aims to embody the essence of Chinese culture and offers guests the chance to take up residence in their“spiritual home”for the duration of their stay. Chinese art and culture abound in the Vista hotels, giving you the authentic Chinese experience. Wanda Jin offers travelers state of the art technology in a 4-star hotel that appeals to business travelers and holidaymakers alike.
Hurricane Harvey poses major problems for Houston hotels
Houston’s hotel market, which has suffered in recent years with the rise of Airbnb, is likely to plunge in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, a natural disaster that has dumped trillions of gallons of rain upon the city, resulting in deaths, evacuations of homes, and near total chaos. 20 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
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Houston, which was already reeling from oil prices that have remained low in recent years, will likely suffer many significant economic setbacks while on its long road to recovery, among them a dip in the hotel sector. Houston, for those who don’t know, ranks as the fourth largest city in the United States. As the storm has worsened, there have been some reports of hotels raising prices far above the normal rates to take advantage of the hordes of people leaving their homes for fear of coming flood waters. Hurricane Harvey, according to news reports, is the most powerful storm to hit Texas in more than 50 years, and as it has set in, there have been more than 400 complaints of price gouging lodged with the Texas attorney general’s office, with some reports saying there are cases of bottled water being sold for US$99, gas at US$10 a gallon and hotels that have tripled or quadrupled in price. However, not all hotels and services are engaging in such behavior. In fact, the natural disaster has brought about many hotels offering discounts and even free places to stay to alleviate the housing emergency, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has suspended the state and local hotel and motel occupancy tax for relief-effort personnel and storm victims. According to information that is available on the governor’s website, this suspension will be in effect for till September 18. Area hotels in Houston will likely be filled with first responders, members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance adjusters, and others who are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The city itself
may also find a bit of a hotel shortage, depending on how many properties have been damaged by the event, the scope of which is not as of yet entirely clear. Industry experts believe that the long term impact on Houston’s hotel businesses will be negative. Although Hilton, the world’s second largest hotel operator, has said that none of its properties in the Houston area have suffered any significant physical damage, and that most of them are remaining open and operational, albeit with services that are more limited than usual.
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group announces opening of first Radisson RED in Latin America
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group announced the entrance of its lifestyle select brand, Radisson RED into Latin America with the opening of Radisson RED Campinas just outside of São Paulo, Brazil in partnership with Atlantica Hotels International. “RED is a lifestyle select concept enhanced by art, music and fashion with a fresh design and commitment to local flavor. We are delighted to partner with Atlantica to bring this dynamic brand to Brazil, a growing and vibrant locale. The RED concept provides owners with a flexible footprint and a model that is both efficient to construct and operate,” said Ken Greene, President, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Radisson RED Campinas offers 185 guest studios, an Events + Games studio, 24/7 fitness centre and a restaurant that features locally sourced and sustainable foods as well as an array of beverages.
Radisson Red, Sao Paolo, Brasil
Radisson RED brings something completely new to the Brazilian market with a bold look and friendly service that puts the guest in control, all delivered at a truly great price “Radisson RED brings something completely new to the Brazilian market with a bold look and friendly service that puts the guest in control, all delivered at a truly great price”, said Eduardo Giestas, president and CEO, Atlantica Hotels International who also operates the Radisson Blu, Radisson, Park Inn by Radisson and now Radisson RED brands in Brazil.
US$19 million retrofit to meet Canberra’s Hotel demand
A former office tower transformed into a 176-room hotel as part of the city’s vibrant urban renewal programme will meet Canberra’s growing demand for hotel capacity. Mantra MacArthur Hotel is the only new hotel to open in Canberra in 2017. The hotel will be operated by Mantra Group, the leading Australian-based hotel and resort operator with 128 properties across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Hawaii, and is owned by Canberra developer HTI Group. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 21
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Mantra Group Chief Executive Officer Bob East said the new property will provide much-needed hotel capacity to support the growth of tourism in Canberra.”Not only will Mantra MacArthur Hotel be a major boost for the local economy from an international and domestic tourism perspective, but it also supports the local economy by creating numerous long-term hospitality jobs,”said Mr East. The opening of the 10-storey Mantra MacArthur Hotel in late September will see Mantra Group operating just under 500 rooms across four hotels in Canberra. A US$19 million retrofit has transformed the office building into a fullservice hotel featuring 136 hotel rooms and 40 suites as well as the brand new Podilato restaurant and bar serving Greek Mediterranean-style cuisine, a fully equipped gym, 24-hour reception, secure parking, internet lounge and express check-out. The overall design by AMC Architecture features a modern industrial approach with interiors of black steelwork, brass, mirrors and stone with areas of exposed structure such as visible soffit and ductwork in the bar and restaurant. The modern rooms use timber to contrast stylish industrial grey feature walls, kitchens and cabinetry, while the overall look is softened by upholstered bedheads and coloured scatter cushions to provide a welcoming comfortable feeling. The original building is barely recognisable and, while the designers retained the main precast facade elements of the original office building, the remainder was stripped back to a bare shell to create a modern hotel guest experience.
Vacation Ownership, with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, the world’s largest publicly traded timeshare company and Wyndham Destination Network, home to RCI, the world’s largest timeshare exchange company. The corporate names of the post-spin public companies have not yet been decided. The two public companies intend to enter into long-term exclusive license agreements to retain their affiliation with one of the industry’s top rated loyalty programs, Wyndham Rewards, as well as continued collaboration on key inventory sharing and customer cross-sell initiatives. With 18 brands and over 8,100 hotels, Wyndham’s hotel business is the world’s largest hotel company by number of properties. It is home to an industry-leading loyalty programme with more than 50 million members, and is emerging from a three-year strategic focus on improved brand quality, distribution technology, and brand marketing. Anchored by iconic hotel brands including Days Inn and Super 8, the future asset-light, fee-for-service hotel company is poised to build on its leading position in the economy and midscale segments, while growing its upscale portfolio and management business. This week Wyndham Worldwide announced executive leadership team.“This proven and experienced leadership team of industry veterans is
With 18 brands and over 8,100 hotels, Wyndham’s hotel business is the world’s largest hotel company by number of properties
Wyndham Worldwide announces spin-off hotel company executive leadership team
On August 2, 2017, Wyndham Worldwide announced plans to spin off the company’s hotel business, resulting in two separate, publicly traded companies. Wyndham Hotel Group, with headquarters in Parsippany, NJ, will become a new, publicly traded pureplay hotel company with a portfolio of renowned brands. The other publicly traded company will include Wyndham 22 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
perfectly suited to move this business forward as a standalone leader in hospitality, with an incredible global portfolio, a strong and resilient asset-light business model, strong cash flow, and a growing pipeline,”said Ballotti.“Each of our leaders brings a unique perspective and background that together creates a powerful combination of public company and hospitality industry expertise as we look ahead to growing our collection of brands and driving lasting value for shareholders.” The following new appointments were announced: -Chief Strategy and Development Officer: Tom Barber, currently Senior Vice President, M&A and Operational Excellence at Wyndham Worldwide. -General Counsel: Paul Cash, currently Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Wyndham Destination Network. Cash will assume this role at the end of 2017. -Chief Administrative Officer: Mary Falvey, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Wyndham Worldwide. Falvey will assume this role immediately in addition to her current role at Wyndham Worldwide. -Chief Marketing Officer: Barry Goldstein, currently Chief Marketing Officer at Wyndham Hotel Group. -Chief Operating Officer: Bob Loewen, currently Chief Operating Officer of Wyndham Hotel Group.
Wyndham Worldwide
— A 5 star experience with ABB Writing the future of buildings today In today’s world the hospitality industry is ever evolving and so are its guests. Hotel operators are increasingly focused on reducing their energy consumption and enhancing the customer experience for discerning guests, who expect to tailor their own environment, with automated lighting, temperature, blind control and preferences. And with ABB’s portfolio of Building Automation solutions, it allows you to intelligently network your building - providing increased levels of comfort, flexibility, safety and energy savings of up to 30%. Energy efficiency has become a top priority for the hospitality industry as hotels are high energy consumers and have to cope with the new rules for energy efficiency in buildings. Guests are looking for maximum benefits and the best possible experience, whereas the management want everything to run smoothly and the investors focus on the income. Building Automation by ABB is governed by its core values and meet the highest requirements in terms of technology, management and the end user. These values are: Economic efficiency, safety, Energy efficiency, Durability, Design and Sustainability; all of which play an important part in creating the perfect hotel. There are always new solutions – for the increasing demands of guests and the increasing expectations in terms of profits. Management and operators can count on ABB for everything. Each individual product provides exactly what is needed both now and in the future – for every concept, for every hotel. However the whole package is greater than the sum of its parts and ABB can supply a hotel with an entire solution from source to socket. First impressions count and guests not only judge their experience on how the comfortable the bed is but how personalized their stay is. And thanks to the KNX standard, of which ABB products are proven, everything which uses energy can be controlled precisely, automated in a complex
way and consistently checked. The KNX technology covers the complete spectrum of applications: from lighting and blind control to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, energy management, security and surveillance; and offers its users uncompromised comfort and flexibility. Nowadays, guests expect to select their own preferences and enter into the same bespoke environment each time they frequent the property. It’s an emotional experience that ABB’s KNX solutions, in cooperation with DigiValet offers. DigiValet is a state of the art software and hardware solution for luxury hotels and integrates seamlessly with ABB guest room management systems. With a single touch on its simple and sophisticated interface that is available in various languages, hotel guests can adjust the room conditions according to their personal preferences. The easy to use interface for guests to use room controls, Television control, Movies on Demand, Order Food and much more. Safety is a constant requirement: all functions must be guaranteed at all times so that investors and the management can be sure of having a profitable property without any malfunctions. Hotel guests enjoy their stay and don’t notice the technical expertise in the background and are certain to be left in peace, even in the event of a power failure. ABB is a global leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. They have been present across the Middle East since 1926, with its first office in Cairo, Egypt. Today it is one of the largest multinational organisations operating worldwide in the field of electrical engineering.
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the top 3 countries for hotel openings will be the United States — which has 71 new hotel projects opening — followed by Germany — where 26 new projects will make their debuts — and then China, which will be host to 25 brand new hotels September a hectic month for new hotels openings
September is an off month for travel across the globe, with many children going back to school and summer wrapping up for the entirety of the Northern Hemisphere. For the hospitality industry, however, the lack of guests actually makes September a prime month for new hotel openings as properties scramble to make their debuts and get acclimated to serving before hordes of holiday visitors begin to arrive in November and December. With this in mind, let’s take a look at the top three countries that have new hotels opening in September 2017, as well as the top brands that are opening these hotels. As one might expect, the top 3 countries for hotel openings will be the United States — which has 71 new hotel projects opening — followed by Germany — where 26 new projects will make their debuts — and then China, which will be host to 25 brand new hotels. This is unsurprising as these three countries have generally had the most active hotel pipelines throughout the globe in recent years, leading their respective regions in growth.
Nestled in the heart of Central London, on the south side of the worldfamous Trafalgar Square, The Trafalgar St. James offers unrivalled proximity to some of the city’s most iconic attractions such as The National Gallery and Theatreland. The hotel boasts 131 bedrooms and 15 exquisite suites; each space is artfully accentuated with Art Deco design notes, tactile furnishings and bold colour choices creating a sanctuary of style. “This one-of-a-kind hotel, The Trafalgar St. James marks the consummate debut of Curio Collection by Hilton in the UK,”said Mark Nogal, global head, Curio Collection by Hilton.“The remarkable hotel is an ideal addition to our expanding global collection of distinctive hotels and resorts, providing travellers, residents and Hilton Honors members the opportunity to discover Central London in a unique and memorable way.” A destination in itself, the hotel offers everything from contemporary bedrooms to a stunning rooftop space with unrivalled panoramic views over the city, all in the bustle of central London. Opening this October, The Rooftop, formerly known as Vista, has been transformed into a year-round destination featuring a stylish lounge and dining area, with a menu full of small plates and healthy eating options. Complete with alfresco and canopy-covered seating, the 378-square-metre sky-high space features an open fireplace, heaters and blanket selection to provide warmth throughout the cooler months. For special occasions and intimate gatherings, Room – a glass-enclosed private dining Room with the capacity to seat 14 people – will be available for hire. “The opening of The Trafalgar St. James signifies an exciting new chapter for the hotel, in one of the city’s most famous locations which is steeped in
Curio Collection by Hilton launches in the UK with the first hotel in Central London
Overlooking the world-famous Trafalgar Square, The Trafalgar St. James, Curio Collection by Hilton, has officially joined the exclusive collection of more than 35 hotels and resorts. As the first Curio Collection by Hilton hotel in the UK, the hotel was hand-picked to be a part of the global, upper upscale collection of one-of-a-kind independent properties all celebrated for their individuality. 24 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
The Trafalgar St. James, Curio Collection by Hilton
history and culture,”said Joanne TaylorStagg, general manager, The Trafalgar St. James.“Whether guests visit us for an exceptional overnight stay in one of our beautifully styled rooms, or head to The Trafalgar Dining Rooms or The Rooftop for a special dining experience, we can guarantee a fabulous experience, premium hospitality and unforgettable views all around”
Global Hotels for Sale takes the hassle out of buying hotel properties
Interested in buying or leasing a hotel, B&B or simply a suite in a hotel but not sure where to start? Well, Global-Hotels for Sale is a site that allows you to do just that. One of the world’s leading brokers for hotel and hospitality property purchases, the Spain-based company operated within a global market to connect prospective buyers with hoteliers and owners who are looking to sell some property. This“off market”model connects clients directly with property owners, developers, funds, banks and real estate agents, meaning you can bypass the middleman and go directly to the source, saving you time and money. Global-Hotels for Sale provides a range of services to anyone interested in potentially getting involved in the hospitality industry from a purchasing point of view. In partnership with an array of organisations that operate internationally, they are the one-stop-shop for any property buying of hotels, B&Bs etc that you may want to do. Their main service is Hotel & Resort Brokerage, which involves compiling a global listing of hotels, resorts and B&Bs for sale or lease. The properties on offer range from budget hotels to luxury properties and from boutique hotels to big name
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tures 815 rooms, and the Hyatt Regency Louisville, in Louisville, Kentucky, which has 393 rooms. The Grand Cypress went the route of being converted to a longterm management contract through its sale, while the Louisville property was signed into a long-term franchise agreement. Hyatt executives have noted that Hyatt’s position as a net seller is related to the fact that Hyatt was a net buyer in both 2015 and 2016, and it does not necessarily indicate that Hyatt is executing a longterm strategic shift away from ownership and real estate development. international brands. Hotel Investments is another string to the company’s bow, where the provide investment opportunities in resort developments, facilitate part-ownership through shares in established hotels, or smaller scale involvement such as purchasing or investing in a single unit suite or villa within a bigger complex. They list potential involvement in new build projects, where you can have a stake in a property from its inception to completion. They also identify hotels that are going to be rebranded, or that require rebranding, so you can get a glimpse into the future of these properties and potentially target them down the line once their rebranding is complete. Finally, they also list management and consultancy services that their clients provide, allowing the buyer to be assisted throughout their purchase so they make the right and smart decisions.
Hyatt Strikes Balance Between Growing Franchising and Focusing on Ownership
During Hyatt’s recent second-quarter earnings call with investors, top executives of the Hyatt Hotels Corporation emphasised that fee-based franchising is an area in which they see the strongest possibility for major growth, but that they also believe the company must focus on ownership and capital investments. Essentially, Hyatt is working to grow its franchising without diminishing the importance of ownership. This is all especially relevant to the many hospitality industry experts who have been curious for some time to see whether Hyatt Hotels Corporation would begin spinning off and divesting their owned assets, a
common trend in recent years among other major hotel brands. So while the future for Hyatt may lie in fee-based franchising, for the time being major company execs say they will not back off of the importance of strategically owning and developing real estate as well. This all comes following a second quarter in which Hyatt posted stronger financial results than many expected, which was good news all around for the owners of Hyatt-branded hotels. Hyatt’s comparable RevPAR, which means hotel revenue per available room, went up 1.4 percent as compared to the same quarter last year among its hotels in the United States, while its full-service and select-service hotel RevPAR went up by 1.3 percent and 1.5 percent, respectively. Across Hyatt’s portfolio, the company saw a 2.9 percent year-over-year increase in its revenue per available room for the second quarter of 2017. This past quarter was also one of overall growth for Hyatt, with the company adding 14 hotel properties to its portfolio in the Americas. What may, however, be telling, is the fact that all 14 of those properties were telling. For those interested, 13 of the 14 properties also happened to be hotels located within the United States. This all comes as many other hotel companies have recently announced or completed spinoffs of their owned real estate. Those companies include La Quinta Holdings, which plans to spin its owned real estate assets into an investment trust, dubbed CorePoint Lodging. Wyndham Worldwide has also recently unveiled a plan to split its hotel business from its timeshare ventures. During the second quarter, Hyatt for its part completed the sale of two major hotels: the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando Florida, which fea-
Puneet Chhatwal, CEO Steigenberger Hotels AG
CEO Puneet Chhatwal leaves Deutsche Hospitality group
Puneet Chhatwal (53), CEO Steigenberger Hotels AG – Deutsche Hospitality group –, leaves the company at the end of the year. After almost 30 years in Europe, therof the last five with Steigenberger Hotels AG, he returns to India. In a press release the Deutsche Hospitality group announced“The Supervisory Board is grateful to mr. Chhatwal for his achievements for the company and wishes him all the best for his new challenge.” Concerning the successor of Puneet Chhatwal as CEO of Steigenberger Hotels AG, the Supervisory Board will decide in due time. Earlier this year, Deutsche Hospitality set out a clear direction of travel in its drive for growth with the opening of its 100th hotel. The company announced its focus both tapping into new markets and on strengthening its brand presence at existing locations. In accordance with this strategy, the company had signed 14 contracts for new hotel on three continents over thse past year. A further 26 hotels are currently at the development stage. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 25
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talent force
InterContinental Dubai - Festival City, Club Floor Lounge 26 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
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Munawar Shariff speaks to Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer IMEA, InterContinental Hotels Group, about the hotel group’s recruitment policies and procedures
Pascal Gauvin, COO IMEA, InterContinental Hotels Group
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Earlier this year, the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) was bestowed with the title of AON Best Employer Globally by AON Hewitt. The accreditation is part of the “Aon Best Employers” programme which evaluates an employer’s effectiveness in creating a workplace environment that engages and enables its people to deliver competitive advantage. The assessment is done through survey data collected directly from colleagues based on four indices: Engagement, Leadership, Performance Culture and Employer Brand. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 27
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InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City, Concierge
InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai
With programmes like IHG Academy and I-Host, IHG not only helps educate fresh graduates with industry knowledge but also instils in them the core IHG ideology of delivering ‘True Hospitality’
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InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City, Pool
The accolade is complemented by a country-level accreditation in 46 out of the 64 countries assessed – including the UAE – by the professional services firm. The group was also awarded a Great Place to Work certification in India for the third consecutive year. “Such recognition enables us to attract the right talent,” says Pascal Gauvin, Chief Operating Officer IMEA, InterContinental Hotels Group.“Additionally, we invest in programmes such as IHG Academy to help create a significant and hospitality-specific talent pool within the communities that we operate in. This programme also enables us to give back to the communities, by creating sustainable employment opportunities for the local workforce.”
That’s not to say that IHG would ever have trouble with recruitment. After all, it has been one of the world’s leading hotel companies operating across nearly 100 countries and territories. A consequence of being a world-renowned brand is the expectation that comes with it. Consequently, hiring the right people is critical to IHG’s success. The IHG Competencies Based Interview Guides helps ensure that its hotels recruit the right personnel. “In addition to academic scores, we take into consideration candidates’ holistic profiles, that include their interests, achievements and passions,” says Gauvin.“This helps us in understanding their potential and gauge their talent. “Additionally, IHG’s ‘People
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InterContinental Dubai Marina, Guest Room
Tools’ used across all levels of seniority incorporate our Leadership Competencies and Winning Ways – two elements of IHG’s unique Employer Brand that promises ‘Room to be Yourself,’” he added.“At the hiring stage, we offer candidates ‘Room to have a Great Start’ a tailored orientation programme to help ingrain them into the system. Just this year we have refreshed our Hotel Training approach with a new system, learning catalogue and training tools tailored to each brand to enable consistent and above par guest service delivery.” As one would expect of a global brand, IHG hotels also operate in UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia. In the GCC region, IHG works closely with local authorities
to lead nationalisation programmes, aiming to promote hospitality careers to local nationals.“We have also invested in our HR structures to strengthen hotel teams in their effort to promote the employer brand supporting the nationalisation laws,” explains Gauvin.“Furthermore, we work with our private industry partners and authorities to jointly promote the industry in-market. We even have a number of local, national General Managers in the region and we hope to grow more local leadership through our dedicated career development programmes.” The role of a General manager is key for a hotel. They are responsible for leading the brand, managing a multi-million-dollar business unit on behalf of its owners and engaging
hundreds of employees each day to deliver the best of stay experiences to its guests. Therefore, finding, developing and retaining General Managers is a key focus of IHG’s people plans. Tourism and, by virtue, hospitality has always been a prime focus in the Middle East. With major events like Dubai Expo 2020 in the pipeline, the hospitality sector is set to flourish even more. Gauvin, however, believes that one of the most common problems that the tourism and hospitality sector is confronted with today is the lack of a skilled local workforce in the region. To overcome this challenge, he
We have invested in our HR structures to strengthen hotel teams in their effort to promote the employer brand supporting the nationalisation laws
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InterContinental Dubai Marina, Lobby
believes it is important to develop the youth entering the workforce, by providing them with quality education and adequate professional training.“To this effect, we have initiated several IHG Academy programmes in the region, that work in collaboration with educational institutions and vocational centres to develop hospitality specific curriculums and programmes that help in improving the employability of local talent and fill as skills gap as we open more new hotels,” says Gauvin. 30 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
“This also enables us in making a positive difference by creating sustainable jobs and stimulating local economic development.” Apart from the IHG Academy, the group of hotels also offers the I-Host programme where it takes people into the industry, gives them a 12-month training programme and helps them graduate as supervisors. With these programmes, IHG not only helps educate fresh graduates with industry knowledge but also instils in them the
core IHG ideology of delivering ‘True Hospitality’. True hospitality is the practice of making everyone feel welcomed and cared for, recognised and respected, whoever and wherever they are in the world, and this is put into practice across all IHG hotels in close to 100 countries.“We believe that it is important that we offer the same, welcoming environment to our colleagues,” says Gauvin.“We encourage a culture where everyone
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InterContinental Festival City, front desk
InterContinental Festival City, Anise restaurant
InterContinental Dubai Marina, front desk
feels valued and accepted.” As the Middle East continues to grow and develop as an important business and tourism destination, the number of opportunities for aspirants who want a career in the hospitality sector will increase. This will inadvertently lead to increased competition in the market to recruit the best talent. Additionally, in order to appeal to the top talent, overall, the hospitality sector needs to be positioned suitably
amongst the youth, especially the national population.“We at IHG, believe that our role as leaders in hospitality is to develop the youth workforce and give them access to the careers and success they want to accomplish,” says Gauvin.“We believe this can be done by promoting various career streams and functions within our industry to the youth from an early age and by integrating them into our teams to learn and explore their interests within the industry.”
InterContinental Dubai Marina
We at IHG, believe that our role as leaders in hospitality is to develop the youth workforce and give them access to the careers and success they want to accomplish
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 31
INDUSTRY EVENTS
Change is the only constant
The 18th edition of the Hotel Show Dubai is set to take the industry by storm with a slew of changes and new features
32 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
INDUSTRY EVENTS
E
ach year, The Hotel Show Dubai, the largest, longest-standing and most comprehensive hospitality trade show in the Middle East and Africa, offers the ultimate showcase of everything needed to build, develop and maintain a hotel or restaurant in the region. For its 18th edition in September this year, the event is announcing a host of new features. For the first time in its 18-year history, the annual exhibition will form a core part of a brand-new industry mega-event: Dubai International Hospitality Week. DIHW, expected to be the largest hotel and foodservice expo in the Middle East, will take place from 18-20 September 2017 and will include six co-located trade shows: GulfHost, owned and organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC); The Hotel Show and The Leisure Show, owned and organised by dmg
events; and The Speciality Food Festival (DWTC), SEAFEX Middle East (DWTC) and yummex ME, jointly organised by DWTC and KÜlnmesse. It’s no surprise then, that the Dubai Tourism-endorsed event is anticipated to attract more than 50,000 visitors to the DWTC when it launches in September. The Hotel Show portfolio has unveiled an all-new brand identity this year in consultation with the global hospitality industry at a time of international growth. New editions of the event launched in hospitality development hot spots Africa (June) and the Philippines (August), while its existing event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia turned five in May. Each event taking the format of the successful Dubai show and adding elements of local flavour. Also expanding in 2017 is the feature lineup of the flagship Dubai edition. With an aim to cater to every element
For the first time in its 18-year history, the annual exhibition will form a core part of a brand-new industry mega-event: Dubai International Hospitality Week. DIHW, expected to be the largest hotel and foodservice expo in the Middle East
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 33
INDUSTRY EVENTS
of the guest experience like never before, new installations are set to focus on some its most important elements: housekeeping, staff uniforms, F&B and technology. At The Middle East Hospitality Leadership Forum, leading industry experts from the likes of Marriott, Fairmont, Jumeirah, Four Seasons, Nikki Beach, and Waldorf Astoria will discuss the latest trends in hospitality from F&B strategy to online influencers. Other new features announced include: The Middle East Housekeepers League of Champions, and The Runway are set to entertain and offer valuable hospitality insight.
New features like The Middle East Housekeepers League of Champions, and The Runway are set to entertain and offer valuable hospitality insight
34 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
In consultation with the UAE Professional Housekeepers Group, The Middle East Housekeepers League of Champions will be a live competition where two typical hotel rooms will be set-up back to back and turned upside down. Two teams of housekeepers (part of a wider league) will compete headto-head to put the room back to its original state in the fastest time. “The hotel industry keeps changing yet many people think housekeeping is stagnant, which it’s not. It has moved a lot in the last decade in terms of technology and efficiency and how to clean a hotel room,”said Lakmall Mawella, Executive Housekeeper at Address Boulevard.“In the past, it was all about just cleaning, but now it’s about engagement with guests and the efficiency of doing things. A few years back it took one hour to clean one room and now it takes about 20 minutes. Based on this, at The Hotel Show, I may meet a supplier that
provides a machine which can scrub a floor in less than a minute. It gives us insight into doing things efficiently and increase productivity, which may help the hotel, revenues or ROI.” Meanwhile, The Runway, in association with bespoke uniform designers A. Ronai LLC, will showcase trends in the latest uniform ranges for the likes of security, front of house, spa and pool personnel. Further, exciting details of the new seminars and features will be announced by The Hotel Show organisers in the lead-up to the event. “As the industry changes and grows, so must we, and we have. The Hotel Show is showcasing an all-new brand identity, creating a sleek platform on which to network in the most efficient way possible,”said Ray Tinston, Portfolio Director of the dmg events hospitality portfolio.“Through our new features that directly reflect the industry, the hoteliers and all
INDUSTRY EVENTS
departments within a hotel, we are confident that our rebrand allows us to reposition our place within the region’s outstanding hospitality industry, and provides a stage that its people deserve and are proud to do business on. We are a community, and The Hotel Show is our annual get-together.” The big changes don’t stop there. The Leisure Show is also returning to Dubai in September and is set to bring the world’s biggest names in the leisure, sports and resorts industries together in one of the most active markets for leisure and entertainment in the world. The event – also co-located with The Hotel Show – will be part of the first-ever DIHW. With more than 200,000 hotel rooms in the region’s hotel construction pipeline, The Leisure Show will showcase the latest products for the pool, spa, sports and fitness offerings of hotels, resorts and clubs, all of which are becoming ever more
important to the Dubai market. As one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, Dubai is increasingly popular with tourists of all ages and known for its vibrant and multi-cultured population. As such, the need for entertainment options has grown considerably. A whopping five theme parks opened in the city last year and there are more in the UAE pipeline. Healthconscious millennials are driving the demand for gym and sporting facilities with the very latest equipment, whilst the opening of the first wellness resort in the Middle East (The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel in September 2017) demonstrates the move towards health and well-being. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) has previously identified the Middle East and Africa as the fastest growing region spa markets in the world. The Leisure Show provides a unique
In the past, housekeeping was all about just cleaning, but now it’s about engagement with guests and the efficiency of doing things. A few years back it took one hour to clean one room and now it takes about 20 minutes
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 35
INDUSTRY EVENTS
opportunity for the growing number of operators of hotels, resorts, gyms, pools, spas and other leisure facilities to do business, network, and learn about current trends through a series of exciting live features. The sports and fitness sector looks set to dominate the show floor for 2017 with industry giants including Les Mills, Cybex, Matrix, SportsArt, Wellness Master, Technogym and WaterRower showcasing the latest products and innovations set to make waves in the fitness industry. Fitness giant and show sponsor, Johnson Health Tech, is set to take over one of the biggest stands at the event – showcasing brand new products, including the ‘Connexus Functional Training System’ a wallmounted system offering broad training opportunity using bars, bands,
36 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
med balls, boxing bags, TRX straps and more, ‘S-Drive Performance Trainer’ a self-powered treadmill, weighted sled, resistance parachute and harness system in one, and Johnny G Krankcycle® by Matrix, the first exercise program to focus on the upper body as a way to build cardio fitness. For the growing pool and spa industry, some of the biggest international names will be showcasing the latest in pool and spa design, maintenance and other products and services, including Fluidra Middle East, Belhasa Projects, and Gharieni. Covering resort design including outdoor furnishing, design and lighting, companies Mist America, Vortex, Trinity Hammocks, Parasol, Rainbow Outdoor, and Bahama will
The Hotel Show is showcasing an all-new brand identity, creating a sleek platform on which to network in the most efficient way possible
be showcasing latest designs and innovations. The world’s first selfcooling sunbed, Koulsdown, is one of the several new launches coming to the show this year. Lastly, the Fit Hub will be returning for 2017, providing a series of business development seminars, live demonstrations, and continued development workshops for fitness professionals. Joining The Leisure Show for the first time this year, Les Mills, the largest international provider of group fitness classes, will be taking over an entire day of the programme to showcase the latest moves in their world-renowned classes. Trust us, you wouldn’t want to miss out on all this. It’s not every day that you’re allowed a peek into the future.
SMART HOTEL SOLUTIONS … powered by QLITE’s smart technology
The smart hotel operators of today are looking for the solutions that provide a luxurious hotel experience for the guest, and at the same time reduce the energy bills by using smart technologies that works 24x7 in the background. Moreover, with more and more regulatory authorities around the world enforcing green building compliance norms for reduction in carbon footprint, the adoption of energy saving technologies is the need of the hour.
D
espite years of continuous efforts, hotels’ energy and resource use is still considerable, and that opens the scope for further sustainability efforts in the areas of intelligent lighting and lighting controls, guest room automation including adaptive HVAC controls, among other initiatives. The characteristic of a ‘great’ hotel that differentiates it from a ‘normal’ hotel is that the guest is happy to come back frequently and spend more inside the hotel rather than outside. The key attributes that define a ‘great’ hotel are guest comfort, value for money, friendly staff and efficient support systems. In order to support these ‘great’ hotel attributes, and to enhance the guest comfort to the next level, simple yet highly user friendly in-room systems play a very important role. The in-room systems pamper the guest by
providing the guest with full control of their room in terms of creating mood lighting, adaptive climate / shade controls and secure room access. The adaptive HVAC controls inside the guest room automatically controls the HVAC operation based on the room occupancy condition, based either on key card or motion sensor or combination of both. This provides energy savings to the operator without sacrificing on the guest comfort. This is to be complemented by matching wiring accessories and media hub, that supports playing music from the smart phone, creating the perfect room ambience. The lighting inside the hotel also plays a crucial role in invoking the right emotion in the guest as per the hotel space they are in - be it the relaxed lobby lounge, the themed guest room corridors, the comfortable all
day dining restaurants, the energizing spa or the cozy guest rooms. The adaptive lighting controls in the hotel ballroom provide mood lighting for every occasion – business meeting, marriage reception, product launch etc. by simple one touch control from the operator’s smart phone. QLITE’s intelligent lighting controls provide a great customer experience without compromising on energy saving targets of the hotel operators. QLITE delivers bespoke sustainability solutions for the hotel industry covering • Guest room management systems • LED lighting solutions (Indoor / Outdoor) • Dimming & lighting controls • Motion sensors • Wiring accessories • Media hubs Supported by its strong R&D, QLITE’s modular solutions adapt to the techno-commercial needs of the hotel operator/owner and contribute towards tremendous savings in energy costs. QLITE has many years of experience working as professional partner to electrical consultants, architects, lighting designers and contractors. A unique understanding of latest contemporary design trends and flexible design concepts make QLITE ideal partner for the hospitality industry. For more information on QLITE’s sustainability solutions, visit www.qliteglobal.com
CHEF INTERVIEW
Top
chef
Munawar Shariff in conversation with Bice Head Chef, Davide Gardini
38 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
CHEF INTERVIEW
How important is the role of the mentor in a chef’s career? It is extremely important to have a good mentor in any given career. In the F&B Industry, being a mentor is a huge responsibility for the team and for your customers. For me, a chef is much more than just a professional cook; it involves the ability to be a leader, a teacher and a good listener with the main objective being the growth of the team, as there is no chef without the team. What is your food philosophy? My philosophy for food is to cook for my guests as I would cook for my family - with love, passion and dedication to deliver the highest quality in taste.
Chef Davide Gardini
What is your style? My style is traditional Italian cooking inspired from my hometown with a modern twist. I love
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 39
CHEF INTERVIEW
I don’t think there is such a thing as a ‘bad meal’, instead there are ingredients that don’t work together or aren’t cooked properly
40 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
incorporating different techniques such as modern gastronomy with prominent conventional Italian flavours. How important is it to incorporate international food trends - edible flowers, burnt cabbage, Asian influenced cuisine? Keeping an open mind filled with curiosity is essential in discovering new trends and ingredients when it comes to cooking. I’m not opposed to external influences; however,
these must be used with respect and criterion to the concept of the restaurants and vision of the chef. How many courses is the right number of dishes for the guest? There is no particular right number of dishes. It depends on personal preference and the cuisine. Personally, I like the traditional three-course menu including starter, main course and dessert. However, sometimes I find a dish so perfectly plated that I have only one course.
CHEF INTERVIEW
What in your opinion is the experience you can gain from being a part of all aspects of the kitchen from the bottom up? There is a wide number of skills you can gain by working in the kitchen, starting from multitasking, communication skills, attention to detail, working under pressure to problem-solving matters, attending to guests and becoming a team leader. Are there any real pressures in this job?
80 per cent of the job involves working under pressure, due to large volumes, events, catering, sudden deadlines etc. It’s one of the many reasons why I love my job! Do you feel you are ‘there’ in the food landscape of the world or of your career perhaps of the place you have in your head of being in or reaching to? I’m extremely happy with what I’ve achieved in terms of experience and knowledge in the industry. I’m
heading in the direction in which I have always aimed for in my career and personal growth. However, knowing that I still have a lot to achieve challenges me and fuels my determination. Is success measured by an entry into the Michelin guide? No, but I do think it can be a looked at as a milestone and it is a great recognition. When a guest is pleased, happy and gives positive feedback this is what I call success. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 41
CHEF INTERVIEW
Don’t give up! It is a tough and long career. Be curious. Travel, try taste. Find your own style and be confident in yourself
When it comes to purchasing food for the entire hotel, how does it work? Who orders what, when and how? Please explain in detail. There is a purchasing office that collects the orders from all the departments (all the kitchens and stores). Each order has to be approved from the executive chef. Some Items are ordered daily and some items are ordered twice a week. On your day off, in which restaurant do you like eating at? I like to try a variety of restaurants and cuisines including Asian, Italian, Indian and Lebanese as well. I’m extremely curious about different gastronomies and the culture behind each cuisine. Is there another chef you admire? I admire Chef Stanzione and Chef Tramontano for their style and technical characteristics. They are not only Michelin star chefs with incredible knowledge and skills in the industry but also great people with a massive love for their job and respect for all in any position. I’ve been extremely lucky to work with them on a few occasions here in Dubai and I was in complete awe. What is your advice for someone who wants to become a chef? Don’t give up! It is a tough and long career. Be curious. Travel, try taste. Find your own style and be confident in yourself.
42 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
PETISER THE SIX-QUESTION AP Best meal you’ve eaten: This might sound cliché but the best meals I have eaten are my mother’s home cooked simple dishes. Worst meal you’ve eaten: I don’t think there is such a thing as a ‘bad meal’, instead there are ingredients that don’t work together or aren’t cooked properly. I do remember one time I ate at my friend’s restaurant and the mushrooms that were served with the fish were so bitter, I could taste the bitterness for days. Until now I am very careful with anything even slightly bitter.
Best hotel experience: A small family hotel in Austria. The owner and his wife treated me like their son and it was a really nice experience, eating eight other guests at the same table. This has been one of my best memories from travelling. All-time favourite comfort food: Spaghetti with tuna and tomato sauce. Your favourite spice: Cinnamon. Why did you become a chef: I think it was in my DNA… it came to me naturally.
CHEF INTERVIEW
New menu at Bice, Hilton Jumeirah The Bice is a Dubai classic. Opened in the year 2000, the restaurant revamped itself with sleek new interiors in November last year and with Chef Davide Gardini’s arrival the menu has also been rejuvenated while staying true to their signature dishes that have stood the test of time and are patrons’ favourites. The restaurant is a firm Dubai favourite when it comes to authentic Italian dishes and honestly, the entrance to the restaurant on the ground level of the hotel doesn’t do justice to its chic interiors. We had a reservation for a week-night and arriving at 7pm we were only the other party at the venue. However, what was warming to notice was that as the evening progressed the restaurant filled up with people who looked as if they were regulars and were returning to eat their favourite meals.
Because the food is exactly that, beautiful to look at, hearty and one that sticks in your mind like a favourite tune all the while making you plan your next visit. We ordered the burrata with zucchini and wild mushrooms and the breaded crab cake with avocado tartare to begin, both were excellent and came promptly to the table. For our mains, we ordered the the spinachricotta tortelli with creamy truffle sauce and the buffalo margherita - the tortelli is one of the restaurant’s classic item which is a firm favourite of a lot of diners (and they are not wrong) and hence has stayed on the menu for a long time as we were informed. The pizza was scrumptious as well. Tiramisu and the lavender creme brulee were dessert, winners again. Bice definitely is one of the top 10 Italian restaurants in Dubai.
Bice restaurant
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 43
Produced in partnership by HFTP and Naseba
The Middle East’s largest dedicated hospitality technology showcase and deal flow platform.
HITEC, the world’s largest hospitality technology exposition and conference brand, is coming to Dubai on November 14-15, 2017.
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F&B
Dubai’s very own
Khyber Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides
Munawar Shariff talks to Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides and Sudheer Bahl, owner of Khyber Mumbai, about the flourishing F&B industry and Khyber Dubai respectively
Sudheer Bahl, owner of Khyber Mumbai
D
ubai is a gourmet heaven. In the last five years, the Food and Beverage industry has seen a steady, continuous growth in the UAE and particularly Dubai. Considering the level of growth in such a globally tumultuous economy, it’s no surprise that new players want to get involved. The problem with the influx of so many new players is not just competition but also the setback of oversupply, which results in F&B outlets succumbing to competitive pricing structures while the costs around them – rents, food costs, implementation of VAT etc. – are rising. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 45
F&B
Samoosa chat and Tandoori raan
Tandoori lamb chop
Malai Kofta
Reshmi prawn
When we decided that Dubai would be the first international venue for the GBR at DUKES Dubai, we had to make sure that the quintessentially British feel came with it
46 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
“There has also been an increased prevalence of discount companies and coupon-based initiatives, including The Entertainer and Groupon,”said Abdulla bin Sulayem, CEO, Seven Tides.“However, irrespective of the technological advances in booking and discounts offered, at the end of the day, it all comes down to good food, a quality ambience and atmosphere and excellent service.” To that end, Dukes Dubai has stayed competitive by throwing in a little something for everyone when it comes to dining options.“At our most recent opening, DUKES Dubai on Palm Jumeirah, we have the hugely successful Khyber restaurant, our signature Great British Restaurant (GBR), which serves the very best
of British cuisine, and the West 14th American steakhouse on the beachfront,”said bin Sulayem.“We also have an Afternoon Tea Lounge and DUKES Bar. A key factor for ourselves and everyone else in this market is value for money.” Getting so many reputed organisations to come together under one roof and work like clockwork isn’t easy. Neither is the process of getting them in, in the first place. “When we decided that Dubai would be the first international venue for the GBR at DUKES Dubai, we had to make sure that the quintessentially British feel came with it. It was vitally important that our signature GBR carried all the charm associated with Great Britain, from the décor to the
F&B
Khyber restaurant SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 47
F&B
staff and, most importantly, the food,� recalls bin Sulayem.“Our Executive Chef Martin Cahill was appointed due to his extensive experience in the UK, working at The Savoy and Dorchester hotels, and he was instrumental in devising a menu of British classics, including Steak and Kidney Pie, Fish and Chips, Sausage and Mash and dessert classics such as Jam Roly Poly and Cherry Bakewell Tart. The British theme is continued through the very heart of the hotel. We have DUKES Bar, taken from our London hotel, with its renowned martinis. What could be more British than an Afternoon Tea Lounge, which we launched on the third floor of our hotel. And everyone knows how much the British love their Indian food. We felt an Indian restaurant was important, but it had to be with the right partner. In Khyber, we have that. The first international
Everyone knows how much the British love their Indian food. We felt an Indian restaurant was important, but it had to be with the right partner. In Khyber, we have that. The first international restaurant outside of its native Mumbai, serving North Indian cuisine
Phirni
Khyber restaurant 48 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
F&B
Khyber restaurant
restaurant outside of its native Mumbai, serving North Indian cuisine.” Of course, for Khyber, being a top notch restaurant within the five-star DUKES Dubai hotel places it in a rather niche market. And being the first international venture outside Mumbai – which means it already has a fan base and has earmarked Dubai’s burgeoning Indian expat community as its target audience – makes the concern over competition seem overly cautious. Paranoid, even. Sudheer Bahl, owner of Khyber Mumbai, agreed,“We have been in operation in Mumbai since 1958, during which time we have listened and learned from our customers. It is this knowledge and experience which
we have transported over to Dubai. We have brought over the very DNA of our restaurant, from the recipes and the food to the décor and music. We are not adapting to the market; the market is adapting to us.” Does that sound overconfident? Yes. Maybe cocky? Also, yes. However, when you count the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Brad Pitt, Richard Gere, Amir Khan and a host of top class cricketers as frequent customers, you’ve earned that right. He’s not riding on his goodwill either, Bahl brought in India’s leading restaurant designer Ayaz Busrai,
We have brought over the very DNA of our restaurant, from the recipes and the food to the décor and music. We are not adapting to the market; the market is adapting to us
from the Busride Design Studio to design the Dubai outlet’s interiors. He knows exactly what is expected from him and what he wants from Khyber in Dubai. “People who have visited our restaurant in India and then come to DUKES Dubai, should not be able to tell any difference between the two,”Bahl said.“The menu has been a labour of love for us, with just one or two dishes added every year. This is what guests like, this is what has made the restaurant so popular.” That’s not to say that the restaurant’s, and by virtue DUKES Dubai’s, supplies are
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 49
F&B
Khyber Kulfi 50 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
F&B
sourced from India only.“The suppliers we use are based on many factors within Dubai; which range of products do they offer? Does it suit our concept of cuisine? Are they imported or locally based? Do they meet our hygiene standards? And are they commercially viable? Dubai has a very good and diverse mix of suppliers to fit all operations. The local markets here are good if you are looking for generic or locally sourced products, the new fish market is well organised and hygienic,” bin Sulayem clarified.“However, we need to carefully plan for more specific and imported products. We work,
where possible, with European suppliers to link with our British branded hotel concept and use products such as John Stone beef, Rhug Estate lamb, Severn & Wye salmon and Neal’s yard cheese. The products are linked with a specific supplier chain which means they take care of the importation, clearing customs and delivery. Our Executive Chef has built relationships with these producers over the years and therefore that makes this process much easier.” Despite the oversupply of outlets in the region, the F&B industry has
According to Euromonitor, the F&B market in the UAE was valued at AED 52.4 billion (about USD 14.2 billion) in 2015
shown no signs of slowing down. According to Euromonitor, the F&B market in the UAE was valued at AED 52.4 billion (about US$ 14.2 billion) in 2015. This is being helped in no small part by the flourishing tourism market, with a record total of 8.06 million international overnight tourists arriving in Dubai, in particular, during the first six months of 2017. This will only increase in the run-up to Expo 2020, with Dubai forecast to welcome 25 million visitors to the emirate for the duration of the international event.
Khyber restaurant SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 51
DESTINATION REPORT - AZERBAIJAN
THE BUSINESS OF
TOURISM
Baku at night 52 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
DESTINATION REPORT - AZERBAIJAN
Rashid AL Noori, Chairman Representative Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan in GCC
Rashid Al Noori, Chairman, Representative Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan in GCC, tells Munawar Shariff about the growth of Azerbaijan’s tourism sector and how it caters to its target market: the Arab traveller
T
he 2008 financial crisis is widely regarded as the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. It seeds for that state of the market was sown by the crisis in the subprime mortgage market in the US in 2007 and later snowballed into a full-blown international banking crisis. The crisis was then followed by a global economic downturn, the Great Recession – the effects of which are still being felt across the world. Azerbaijan is no exception to the phenomenon. The events of that time decreased Azerbaijan’s income and led to a 10.1 per cent devaluation of the national currency. To cope with the times, the country’s leadership drew a strategic roadmap that ensured the non-oil sector was taken care of. In recent years, the country’s GDP growth has continued to accelerate, fueled by healthy industrial production growth. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 53
DESTINATION REPORT - AZERBAIJAN
Lake Goygol
Guba, Azarbaijan
In 2016 alone, the number of tourists visiting the Land of Fire increased to 2,242 million people showing an 11.7 per cent increase. The number of tourists from GCC/Mena increased by 30 times in the same period
54 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
Azerbaijan Yardimli by Gulustan
The non-oil sectors that have featured double-digit growth, include tourism, construction, banking, and real estate. Notice how tourism is first on that list? That’s because it has had a direct economic impact in Azerbaijan as it contributes both to the GDP and to the employment. For example, in 2016 tourism contributed about 4.1 per cent of GDP. That has so far risen to about seven per cent this year – a result of economic activities generated by hotels, travel agents, airlines and other related businesses. “Azerbaijan is an emerging tourism destination and being one of the most secure and safest countries in the CIS
it attracts a lot of visitors,” said Rashid Al Noori, Chairman, Representative Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan in GCC.“The number of foreign citizens visiting the country between 2015 and 2017 has grown by 50.5 per cent. In 2016 alone, the number of tourists visiting the Land of Fire increased to 2,242 million people showing an 11.7 per cent increase. The number of tourists from GCC/Mena increased by 30 times in the same period. Still, most of the visitors come from the bordering states (Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Kazakhstan). But for all that, the interest of visitors from other countries
DESTINATION REPORT - AZERBAIJAN
Baku International Airport
and regions is rapidly growing.” Atlantis Holidays is the go-to tourism office in the UAE that works directly with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan. It was appointed in 2011, to promote Azerbaijan as a destination throughout GCC, focusing on educating the travel trade and attracting tourism sector opportunities to Azerbaijan. At the time, the region was still largely uninformed about the country in the South Caucasus region. In a bid to change that, it has collaborated with the private and government travel companies as part of its tourism activity to keep boosting awareness in the region with ongoing
promotional activities including pr and media campaigns, roadshows, cultural projects, and events sponsoring. “We come up with these initiatives after considering the motivations connected to individuals’ interests and needs, developing preferences, and expecting satisfaction,” said Al Noori. “For example, we are taking steps towards increasing the number of Arabic speaking customer service representatives for tourism related activities across Azerbaijan. We are working on allocating culturally-trained staff in hotels, malls and attractions dedicated to inbound Arabic groups to make them feel completely at home in Azer-
baijan. We are working on providing additional food and beverage outlets catering to the taste of the GCC/ MENA traveller and making Arabiclanguage maps available at attractions and shopping malls throughout the country.” With all those changes, Al Noori and his team are expecting a double digit increase in the number of visitors from the GCC/MENA region to Azerbaijan, especially for the Eid Al Adha peak season and winter which will start mid-November to mid-March 2018. The focus on the Arab traveller helps too. With the diversity, religious tolerance and similarities of culture SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 55
DESTINATION REPORT - AZERBAIJAN
Flame Towers
We are working on allocating culturally-trained staff in hotels, malls and attractions dedicated to inbound Arabic groups to make them feel completely at home in Azerbaijan. We are working on providing additional food and beverage outlets catering to the taste of the GCC/MENA traveller and making Arabic-language maps available at attractions and shopping malls throughout the country 56 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
between the Arab world and Azerbaijan, it’s easy to see the appeal. Of course, that projected increase won’t happen organically. On the ground, the government has put in place mega projects to ensure continuous developments of Azerbaijan’s infrastructure and facilities to suit the need of the GCC/MENA traveller. “We believe that complemented by the in-depth understanding among Azerbaijan Tourism’s trade partners of the Arabic traveller’s expectations and needs, as well as the market as a whole, Azerbaijan will be more than ready for the increase of inflow of the GCC/MENA traveller,”Al Noori said. This aspiring growth has helped employment rates in the country.
On the employment side, tourism in Azerbaijan accounted for about 3.7 per cent of total employment in 2016, the number has so far grown by six per cent this year. One of Azerbaijan’s strongest assets for tourism development is its service culture.“Azerbaijanis are famous for their hospitality, and this is best reflected in the hotel and restaurant sectors,” said Al Noori.“The number of hotels and hotel-type accommodation facilities grew from 93 up to 536 in the last two years, with a current supply of almost 35,000 hotel rooms. These hotels are five-star rated and include multinational chains such as the Hyatt, Hilton, Four Seasons, Marriott, Fairmont and Radisson, as well as locally owned boutique hotels
DESTINATION REPORT - AZERBAIJAN
The number of hotels and hotel-type accommodation facilities grew from 93 up to 536 in the last two years, with a current supply of almost 35,000 hotel rooms like the new Hotel Diplomat, Hotel Meridian and many others.” The first half of 2017 brought a high influx of holiday makers to Azerbaijan. In fact, hotels in the region, led by Baku, recorded their highest occupancy levels. The occupancy surged in February 2017, up 100 per cent and was the highest in June and July.“The average daily rates increased by 4.4 per cent in February. and revenue per available room also rose in February,” Al Noori said.“Hotel performances has been boosted by major events, festivals and conferences in Azerbaijan that included the Novruz Festival, Islamic Solidarity Games, Baku Formula One Grand Prix and the Baku Shopping Festival.” The influx has led to the need for new hotel beds, especially mid-class hotels. To cope, Al Noori claims, the country is looking at about 3,600 to 4,000 new hotel rooms to enter the Azerbaijan market with a three and four-star rating.
Baku, Old city
Baku architecture
Governmental House on Neftchilar avenue
Baku, Old city SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 57
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Soleil Toujour
Mineral sunscreen
Wellness tech
Natura Bisse’s Mindful Touch
Products review
High end skin care
BRAND FOCUS - SOLEIL TOUJOURS
How your sunscreen could be killing you Valerie McMurray, Founder and CEO, Soleil Toujours, tells Munawar Shariff about how regular sunscreens contain toxins that are potentially lifethreatening and how Soleil Toujours aims to educate the market on the same while providing a healthier alternative 60 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
large number of residents in the UAE partake in a common weekend ritual. While the rest of the world heads out dancing, the people here prefer to go brunching. Stop pretending like you don’t enjoy the spreads and the laziness. While some prefer to treat themselves to generous helping after generous helping, other prefer to take little breaks and relax in the hotel pool. Those that do, know the struggle of being in the sun for hours. While it’s no doubt fun to be outdoors and taking in a bit of the sun, staying there too long harms the skin. Of course, you could use sunscreen, but as Valerie McMurray, Founder and CEO, Soleil Toujours found out, few – if any – sunscreens are non-toxic. It all started when McMurray was on holiday with her husband in the Caribbean. Then part of the financial services industry, McMurray wanted to buy a swim cover-up as a souvenir but couldn’t find anything of the sort at gift shops.
BRAND FOCUS - SOLEIL TOUJOURS
That’s when she decided to tap into her entrepreneurial streak and make her own line.“I would go from the trading floor to F.I.T. in New York City to take a sewing class, just to know what a seam was,” McMurray said.“Then I found a pattern maker and a factory in the garment district. I started making swim cover ups. I started selling them to various luxury resorts/boutiques in the Caribbean, Palm Beach and Nantucket. I then
created a line of swimwear and thought, ‘I would love to build a lifestyle brand’ and sunscreen would be the next thing.” McMurray was pregnant with her third child when she started digging into the sunscreen business. That was when she discovered how toxic those things were. She found that traces of the chemicals used in sunscreen at the time would
Traces of the chemicals used in sunscreen at the time would remain in the bloodstream for long periods of time – they are found breast milk, in urine, in the blood
remain in the bloodstream for long periods of time – they are found breast milk, in urine, in the blood. “The chemicals are hormone disruptors and can result in low birth weight, low sperm count in fetuses, and potentially even cancer,” said McMurray. “There was a void in the market. At the time, a non-toxic, mineral based SPF formula that had a beautiful, luxurious texture and feel and that didn’t leave a thick white hue or spackle-like feeling on the skin did not exist,” said McMurray. Sensing an opportunity, she launched a prestige sunscreen line that was mineral-based, infused with advanced antioxidant and anti-ageing ingredients and that left a sheer, luxurious finish on the skin. McMurray added,“My overall goal was to bridge the gap between sun and skin care. Something no other sunscreen on the market was accomplishing.” Finding a problem within a system and then using it to your advantage is the trademark of every entrepreneur but this was a potentially life-threatening fault in the market. It needed to be addressed. McMurray under-
Valerie McMurray, Founder and CEO, Soleil Toujours
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 61
BRAND FOCUS - SOLEIL TOUJOURS
Valerie McMurray, Founder and CEO, Soleil Toujours
62 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
stands how grave the situation is.“The Soleil Toujours mission is: promote the daily use of sun care as the single most important step in any skin care regimen and the most effective way to preserve healthy and youthful skin.,” she said.“To do this, our goal is to revolutionise and redefine the luxury sun care market. It all starts and ends with our ingredients. We started off as a mineral-based sunscreen line, but what we discovered is that most people prefer the convenience and the ease of use of a clear chemical sunscreen spray. Our organic chemical formulations were launched this year and they are now the cleanest, safest, nontoxic and coral reef safe formulas on the market. It is all about education, and once people learn that the current crop of chemical sunscreens can be harmful to both our health as well as our oceans, we hope people will make smarter decisions and avoid all sunscreens with oxybenzone, the most toxic and common sunscreen chemical found in the majority of sunscreens.” That’s not the only bit of insight McMurray hopes to instil in her cus-
My overall goal was to bridge the gap between sun and skin care. Something no other sunscreen on the market was accomplishing
tomers. She hopes to educate about the need to use sunscreen daily.“The sun is responsible for over 80 per cent of premature ageing. The most important step in any skincare routine is sun care. While most people feel like it is a chore to wear sunscreen, at Soleil, we want to make sunscreen an indulgence, part of your daily routine that is enjoyable,” McMurray said.“The overall obsession with looking younger, and undergoing treatments such as Botox, fillers or peels to achieve younger looking skin is all for nought if one does not wear sunscreen.” McMurray also hopes that Soleil Toujours sets a new paradigm in sun care where its products bridge the gap between sun care, skin care and soon colour.“All of our products are a combination of sun and skin care where we infuse all products with anti-ageing and antioxidant ingredients found in the most advanced and transformative skin care products,” said McMurray.“People like to think of Soleil as an anti-aging sunscreen because, for example, our face products have very potent anti-ageing actives such as various peptides, apple stem cells, resveratrol, superoxide dismutase, dermaxyl, green tea leaf extract,
BRAND FOCUS - SOLEIL TOUJOURS
sodium hyaluronate etc. We also have our proprietary EcoSun complex that is in every product that we create. The EcoSun Complex is composed of vitamin C ester, vitamin E, red algae, and bisabolol, a chamomile derivative.” Lastly, McMurray claims all products are formulated with coral reefsafe and non-polluting formulations to help preserve the marine environments in our waters. Soleil Toujours is endorsed by watchdog group Wise Oceans and is the first brand to partner with The Blue Project, a consulting group closely aligned with The UN’s Ocean Sanctuary Alliance (a coalition of oceans-aligned countries) created to blaze a “blue revolution” to save our seas as the critical cornerstone to solving climate change. At a time when bleaching at the Great Barrier Reef is at an all-time high, we need more companies to get on board with this. Only two and a half years old and regarding itself as a prestige brand,
Soleil Toujours is not concerned with competing with mass-market sunscreen brands in terms of market share. After all, the lion doesn’t concern itself with the actions of the sheep. The current goal is to focus on the Middle East region given how blissfully unaware we are and how desperately we need it.“We are in the region’s and for that matter, the world’s most prestigious properties: Burj al Arab, St Regis Dubai, Four Season Dubai, St Regis Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club, Boutique1,” said McMurray.“Our new relationship with The Product House will help us expand our distribution in the region. Our collective plan is to be in the majority of five-star properties and resorts as well as the majority of luxury retailers in the region within the next five years.” To do that, the company will need to keep evolving and creating new products. Creating a new SPF product
is about a two-year process. With all the US FDA-regulated testing involved, coming to market with a new SPF formulation is a long process.“We conduct consumer focus groups, perform market research, and implement various other types of ingredient efficacy research before launching a new product,” said McMurray.“It is a hugely iterative and involved process.” Given the looming dangers of toxic sunscreens, technology is a big factor in creating new products.“In the US, our hands are a bit tied in terms of using the latest in UV filters launched globally as the FDA in the US has not approved a new UV filter in over 30 years. However, we are always researching the latest anti-ageing actives and making sure to incorporate these latest technologies in all of our sunscreen formulas,”said McMurray.“All in all, we strive to produce the safest, most effective and cutting edge anti-ageing SPF formulations on the market.”
The sun is responsible for over 80 per cent of premature ageing. The most important step in any skincare routine is sun care. While most people feel like it is a chore to wear sunscreen, at Soleil, we want to make sunscreen an indulgence, part of your daily routine that is enjoyable
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 63
WELLNESS TECHNOLOGY
Treading new
ground
Laura Gamboa, Director of Corporate Education & Spa Development at Natura Bisse International, talks to Munawar Shariff about the brand’s innovative The Mindful Touch experience that offers the very best within the industry and makes use of VR
atura Bissé has always been devoted to adding high-technological solutions to skincare regimens. The brand seems to be constantly thinking of new ways to push the boundaries of the wellness industry and does so regularly. The brand’s newly launched treatment, The Mindful Touch: Your Mindfulness Spa Experience, is an unprecedented way of treating the or body, that lies in line with Natura Bissé’s mission to offer a 360-degree experience that goes far beyond skincare. The treatment’s four-pronged process starts with the use of products for the skin, which are extraordinarily efficient. The Spanish premium skincare brand also worked with something that is in the very DNA of its profession: the expertise of its aestheticians, the work they perform with their hands — touch is essential to communicate the brand’s willingness to care for and pamper clients. Then there’s the mindfulness, whose benefits have been amply proven, and that makes the client experience the treatment in a much more conscious way, appreciating all its physical nuances. Finally, there’s 64 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
the novel touch of virtual reality, which allows the client to immerse into the ritual in a way never seen or felt before. “In a nutshell, cosmetics, touch, mindfulness and virtual reality are the four pillars of The Mindful Touch: Your Mindfulness Spa Experience,”said Laura Gamboa, Director of Corporate Education & Spa Development at Natura Bissé International.“A protocol that embodies the essence of Natura Bissé and transmits our core values: artistry connected with the most
advanced technology.” The family owned brand partnered with technology giant Samsung to create its all-new, one-of-akind experience.“Since the project was conceived, we were assessed by professional developers in VR technology applied to neuroscience,” said Gamboa.“Based on the requirements for the project, we were recommended to choose this technology (Samsung) due to its robustness.”
WELLNESS TECHNOLOGY
We are now working on new experiences where we focus not only on taking care of the skin, but also mind and body, and technology is a key factor to develop them Gamboa claims every single choice of technique and technology is the result of vigorous scientific studies. When you’re a luxury company as exclusive as Natura Bissé, there’s no place for randomness.“When we started developing this project, we started studying and conducting an internal research with neuroscientists to better understand how each and every step that forms part of our treatments impacts the way a person feels beyond a subjective evaluation, measuring the actual effect,”said Gamboa. The brand says it has worked with different medical processes that are applied to neuroscience with scientific back-up for its effectiveness.“On the mindfulness field, mindfulness has dozens of scientific evidence that demonstrates its effects over the mind and body of individuals, this is certainly something very important for us and
it has had an influence in our choice of this technique,”explained Gamboa. “In the specific case of the power of touch, numerous studies demonstrate how caring touch and massage can lower cortisol levels and trigger neurochemicals production related with serenity, calm and happiness. Last but certainly not least, early recent studies show how a combination of mindfulness and VR, increase the adherence to practice, having a positive impact in the subjects of the study.” With such extensive research and care to detail at each level of the treatment, it’s no surprise that the response has been overwhelmingly positive thus far. The brand though is not getting carried away with the praise. Instead, it maintains that it’s learning from the implementation each and every day, as feedback from its partners and therapists is crucial as well. This will help it improve current
processes and explore different and better ways of doing things. Natura Bissé wants to continue being at the forefront of developing experiences like this and to continue being a referral in the spa industry. Looking into the future, technology seems to be the focus for Natura Bissé. With the advancement in the technology industry, other industries had had to evolve as well. For outlets like Natura Bissé, the change varies from the manner in which those within the industry interact with their guests to focusing on digital detox, problems of posture, circadian rhythm alteration, etc.“The Mindful Touch has marked a turning point,”insists Gamboa.“We are now working on new experiences where we focus not only on taking care of the skin, but also mind and body, and technology is a key factor to develop them.” SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 65
ss e n ll e W
PRODUCTS REVIEW
and beyond
As we move forward in our lives, care for our skins gets better and better with the use of these high end products that are created using an amalgamation of the best ingredients and technology to impact the face in the best way possible. The result? Younger skin for longer!
Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant: Super effective charcoal based skin resurfacer is mild enough to be used daily however, it is integral to know if it is causing excessive dryness you could use it 2-3 times a week instead of daily. Really gives you deeply cleansed and soft, clean, young looking skin.
Elemis Peptide4 Night Recovery Cream-Oil: This is a restoring and hydrating cream oil that boosts the skin’s renewal and repair process at night. Honestly this is a very potent treatment that helps the skin look and feel younger, rested and relaxed.
Soleil Toujours Sheer Sunscreen Mist Spf 50: One of the best and most effective sun screens out there and not to mention it is completely chemical free. The spray makes it easiest to use as you need only two to three pumps for your face and neck. It does sting at first but absorbs and mattifies immediately. Very happy with the results.
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Day Cream SPF 30, AED 740, available at Basharacare.com, House of Fraser in Abu Dhabi and select spas: This is a skin renewing moisturiser with built in sun protection factor of 30. So your quarterly or bi-annual skin renewal process is complete with a day cream as well and not limited to use at night. As during a skin renewal treatment sun protection is extremely important. Highly effective and valuable on every beauty shelf. 66 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
June Jacobs Fresh Squeezed Lemon Cleanser, 200ml: This refreshing cleanser is infused with lemon and the resultant feeling is a squeaky clean face, one which is free from all impurities. Just what you need at the end of the day and first thing in the morning.
PRODUCTS REVIEW
June Jacobs Neroli Hydrating Mist, 200 ml and and 60 ml (travel size): The best toning spray with the most delicate and refreshing fragrance that makes you look forward to using it again and again. Also the fact that neroli oil stimulates cell regeneration is the most obvious plus of using this toner.
Soleil Toujours Mineral Sunscreen Spf 30: Another mineral sunscreen that is the safest product in the market right now. Free from chemicals it is a smooth application, and does not look or feel oily post application. This one is a keeper!
Elemis Life Elixirs Fortitude Perfume Oil, AED 254, available at Basharacare.com and House of Fraser, Abu Dhabi as well as select spas: This is a new type of wellness product that aims to ground you and help you focus on the task at hand whatever that may be - to try and get some tasks done or to get some sleep. It helps you calm and relax and focus on getting whatever you want done. Just a dab from the roller ball applicator on a few pulse points and you can feel the calmness happening instantly.
Dermalogica Stress Positive Eye Lift: Really helps relieve the stress that shows around the eyes. Say goodbye to puffiness, which is the main cause of looking tired each morning. Still waiting on seeing results on the dark circles, however need to use the product for a few weeks to really see the requisite results. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Oil: This serum oil is the best thing that will happen to your face on application. Following in the same formulation of the award-winning Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, this powerful oil provides the face with a boost of hydration, and making fine lines and wrinkles almost invisible.
June Jacobs Pore Purifying Essentials (travel size) which includes Pore Purifying Facial Bath - Net Wt: 60 ml; Pore Purifying Toner - Net Wt: 60 ml; Pore Purifying Mud Masque - Net Wt: 15 ml: Perfect pack to take along on your travels, with essentials that help your skin really relax and rejuvenate. Pores are cleaner, excessive oil gets absorbed instantly and skin feels really clean and renewed after you remove the mask.
Elemis Life Elixirs Calm Bath & Shower Oil, AED 496, available at Basharacare.com and House of Fraser Abu Dhabi and select spas: Essential oils are powerful and this range of wellness products really aim to calm and relax the user. This bath and shower oil really helps you unwind and relax and be ready to relieve the stresses accumulated through the day. Available from October.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 67
COMMUNITY
For the greater good
Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham JBR have made very good use of their time this summer to drive forward with their Corporate Social Responsibility activities
S
ummers in Dubai are hot, humid and lazy. It’s the only time you’ll ever get some respite when it comes to traffic on roads or crowds in malls. This year, while the rest of Dubai went into its usual, holiday-mode slumber, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham JBR – in line with the UAE’s Year of Giving – thought it would be a good idea to use that downtime rather productively: by reinforcing its philanthropic activities. In order to do that, the hotel – located along the prestigious Jumeirah Beach Residence complex – joined the #StrikeOutALS campaign, and reached out to UAE Red Crescent. If the campaign sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because you probably heard about Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) for the first time ever way back in 2014. For those of you that can’t rewind back the hands of time that far, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge involved the dumping of a bucket of ice and water over a person’s head, either by another person or self-administered, to promote awareness of the disease (also known as motor neurone disease and in the US as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and encourage donations to research. It went viral on social media between July–August 2014. Building on the success of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, the hotel helped raise funds for the #StrikeOutALS campaign to promote awareness on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Select team members carried out the fun challenge and collected donations to support the ongoing research on the disease. The hotel also extended aid to Emirates Red Crescent by handing over boxes of clothes, which were donated by the
68 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
We aim to convey the message that every altruistic initiative, no matter how simple or small, can make a difference for those in need. All we have to do is reach out to the right organisations and express our intentions to help
associates. Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham pledged continuous support to the organisation’s advocacy in helping less fortunate groups and individuals within and outside the UAE. “Our team will continue its mission to give back to the community, even after the Year of Giving,” Hotel Manager Samer Rafir said.“We aim to convey the message that every altruistic initiative, no matter how simple or small, can make a difference for those in need. All we have to do is reach out to the right organisations and express our intentions to help.”
HSW Ice Bucket Challenge
HSW - Emirates Red Crescent Donation
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