DES RÔTISSEURS

of quality, fine dining and passion for the culinary arts. Hoteliers, restaurateurs, executive chefs and sommeliers were present to honor the association’s milestone.

New research from global travel site Skyscanner has revealed that Saudi Arabian holidaymakers will travel significantly in 2023 despite economic uncertainty, but price-led decisionmaking will drive change. With 62 percent of travelers in Saudi Arabia planning to spend the same, if not more, on overseas travel next year, how they are going to spend this money will differ. skyscanner.net

Mind the Tech Gap by BCG X reveals companies’ tech challenges

According to research published by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), 94 percent of companies have grand ambitions to deliver substantial and rapid results from the digital transformation while companies plan to increase investment in digital solutions despite global economic headwinds. Interestingly, the majority of these digital transformations fail to achieve their objectives.

Titled “Mind the Tech Gap,” the study is based on a survey of nearly 2,700 executives driving digital transformations in companies across 13 countries and a wide range of industries. Despite a tightening global economy, the survey found that 60 percent of companies plan to increase their spending on digital transformation in 2023 compared to 2022, with business model transformation and sustainability the top two areas for future investments. bcg.com chaineq8.com

Presided over by La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’ president Yam Attalah, the celebration honored those who continue to contribute toward Kuwait’s hospitality sector. Mohamed Najia, a hospitality master, was awarded the Bailliage du Kuwait trophy in recognition of his decades-long service to the hospitality industry. The decorated hospitality professional has received a number of prestigious awards, including a medal of merit from Académie Française de Cuisine and a recognition award from the Kuwait Humanitarian and Friendship Society. He has also been recognized by the World Tourism Organization.

Bahrain

FOUR SEASONS AND BAYSIDE DEVELOPMENTS LAUNCHES FOUR SEASONS PRIVATE RESIDENCES

BAHRAIN BAY

Four Seasons and Bahrain-based real estate development firm Bayside Developments has announced plans to open Four Seasons Private Residences Bahrain Bay toward the end of 2023. The new residential offering will feature 112 exceptional homes, providing a new level of luxury in the heart of Manama.

Opening: end of 2023 fourseasons.com

Waldorf Astoria Cairo Heliopolis

Waldorf Astoria Cairo

Heliopolis will mark the luxury brand’s debut in Egypt. The hotel features 252 rooms and suites and is home to a variety of dining and entertainment outlets. It will house the signature Waldorf Astoria Spa, a relaxing pool surrounded by a landscaped garden, a fitness center, nine meeting rooms and ballrooms that can accommodate up to 2,000 guests.

Opening: Spring 2023 hilton.com

Kuwait

Tunisia

MANDARIN ORIENTAL'S NEW LUXURY HOTEL PROJECT IN KUWAIT SLATED FOR 2028

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will manage a luxury hotel, slated to open in 2028, located in the heart of the financial district of Kuwait City, just a 20-minute drive from Kuwait’s International Airport.

Located in an 80-story tower and designed by architects Foster & Partners, the hotel will feature 159 guestrooms, including 33 suites and 10 serviced apartments, with views of downtown Kuwait City.

Opening: 2028 mandarinoriental.com

HILTON SKANES MONASTIR BEACH RESORT SET TO OPEN IN 2023

Hilton Skanes Monastir Beach Resort will mark Hilton’s debut in Tunisia, offering 346 rooms and suites. Guests can indulge in the various leisure and relaxation facilities at the resort, including seven food and beverage outlets, five outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a thalassotherapy spa and wellness center, extensive fitness facilities, a tennis court and kids’ club. The resort is also a perfect destination for retreats and business meetings, with a meeting space including a spacious ballroom and three meeting rooms equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

Opening: summer 2023 hilton.com

FOUR SEASONS EXPANDS ITS FOOTPRINT IN KSA WITH FOUR SEASONS HOTEL AND PRIVATE RESIDENCES

JEDDAH

In partnership with Midad Real Estate, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has expanded its footprint in the Middle East, with Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jeddah. The property will include 269 luxurious guest rooms and suites, 21 serviced apartments for short- and long-term stays, and 64 private residences, including two penthouses. The luxury hotel, serviced apartments and branded residences will have exceptional views of the Red Sea.

Opening: 2024 fourseasons.com

Qatar

NH COLLECTION OASIS DOHA HOTEL SLATED TO OPEN IN EARLY 2023

NH Collection Oasis Doha Hotel is set to open its first NH Collection property in Qatar.

The beachside property along the Qatari capital’s eastern coast will feature 299 guest rooms and suites, with most guest rooms and suites offering panoramic sea views. Higher category room types will include six two-bedroom Oasis suites, a 193-squaremeter presidential suite and a royal suite, with 332 square meters of living space, as well as a large outdoor terrace. Opening: late 2023 nh-hotels.com

RADISSON RED LANDS IN DIRIYAH, SAUDI ARABIA

Radisson RED is an upscale lifestyle brand with a playful unconventional twist. Set to open in 2026, Radisson RED Diriyah will be located on the prime shopping and cultural avenue of Diriyah. The Najdiinspired architecture is a tribute to 300 years of history. The newly built hotel will include 175 contemporary guest rooms, nine suites, a coffee and juice bar, an allday dining restaurant, along with meeting spaces that blend the modern with the traditional.

Opening:2026 radissonhotels.com

Uae

Accor Signs Deal To Open Fairmont Dubai Skyline In 2024

In partnership with RSG Group, Accor has signed a deal to launch Fairmont Dubai Skyline.

Slated to open in 2024, the property will become the third Fairmont in Dubai and the seventh in the United Arab Emirates. It will comprise 54 floors across its 226-meterhigh tower, 181 hotel rooms and suites, 121 residences of two- to four-bedroom apartments, as well as a penthouse.

Opening: 2024 group.accor.com

As president of hotel operations for Asia Pacific at Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Rami Sayess believes that success is all about leadership and the ability to translate vision into reality by encouraging others to reach their full potential. Here, the veteran hotelier and die-hard optimist reveals news of his promotion and plans for the future.

What does your new role as president of hotel operations at Four Seasons entail?

Moving from operations to a corporate role is a big step that requires learning and adjusting. With over 30 years of experience in hospitality, I feel ready to put my knowledge to the test and contribute to furthering the success of our hotel operations in Asia Pacific. As I oversee more than 40 hotels and resorts — operational and under development — I look forward to partnering with our outstanding leaders who, with their teams, make the magic happen every day, hence keeping Four Seasons as the ultimate brand in luxury hospitality.

What are your plans once you assume your new position?

My priority is to get to know those who matter the most: our people, partners, owners, the APAC’s corporate office team in Singapore, the teams who manage our hotels and resorts throughout the region, and my colleagues in our headquarters in Toronto and Miami. Everything tends to fall into place, so it’s important to take it one step at a time.

What do you believe the future holds for Four Seasons specifically and the hospitality sector as a whole?

Having witnessed the impressive comeback of the industry over the past year, following a turbulent couple of years, I believe the future looks promising. As for Four Seasons, with the arrival of our new CEO, as well as the launch of several initiatives, including but not limited to Four Seasons Yachts, I truly believe that the future is brighter than it has ever been.

I am excited to be part of the next chapter and am looking forward to supporting our future leaders who will carry the Four Seasons flag for years to come. fourseasons.com

5 MINUTES WITH JONATHAN MILLS, CEO OF CHOICE HOTELS EMEA

owners and offer a franchisee model – a flexible proposition within an agreed-upon framework.

What can you tell us about Choice Hotels EMEA master license agreement with Seera Group and the company’s ambitions to expand its footprint in the MEA region?