Content library
Podcasts
In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Building Swiss Hospitality in the Heart of Abu Dhabi, Georgette Davey, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches, discusses how the Academy is bringing Swiss hospitality excellence to one of the region’s fastest-growing tourism and hospitality markets. She shares how hospitality education is evolving to meet the needs of a changing industry, the importance of developing future-ready talent, and why Abu Dhabi is uniquely positioned to become a leading hub for hospitality learning, leadership and innovation.
Saudi Arabia's adventure hospitality market is being built differently. In conversation at FHS Saudi Arabia 2026, Ben Barker, Development and Strategy at Warrior Group, shared how the new brand Wild is reimagining hospitality by putting nature and terrain first, rather than rooms and facilities. He highlighted the importance of pitching at a midscale level, using modular and low-impact construction, and training local talent to build a new generation of adventure destinations across the Kingdom's mountains, deserts, and coastlines. As Saudi Arabia continues to open up its landscape to the world, the opportunity lies in creating experiences that connect travelers not only to nature, but to the communities who call it home.
In this FHS Saudi Arabia podcast, Awaz Patni, Group CFO, Bugshan Investment, shares why Saudi Arabia has become one of the world’s most compelling hospitality investment markets, highlighting the Kingdom’s tourism transformation, welcoming culture, and growing demand across both established and emerging destinations. He discusses opportunities in boutique hotels, branded residences, affordable hospitality, and key locations including the Red Sea, Qiddiya, Taif, Abha, Jazan, and Tabuk, while also outlining what makes a project investment-ready, from strong developers and operating agreements to transparency, minority protection and clear exit strategies.
Video Insights
Team MERED sat down with us to share why the UAE market has continued to show strong resilience despite recent uncertainty. They explain that rather than MERED adapting to the situation, the market itself has adjusted, with projects now moving forward after an initial pause.
In this interview at FHS Saudi Arabia, Muin Sehran, chief executive officer of AMSA Hospitality with two decades of experience across Marriott, NEOM and AMSA, shared insights into how the company is scaling its hotel pipeline while investing in homegrown Saudi talent. The discussion explored AMSA's approach to talent development through the AMSA Academy, the realities of building franchise partnerships with international hospitality brands, and how Saudi hospitality culture shapes the guest experience across the company's growing portfolio.
In this interview at FHS World, Barry Lansburg, a branded residential development specialist with 25+ years of experience working with developers and brands globally, shared insights into how alignment between brands, developers and purchasers shapes successful projects. The discussion explored his approach to resolving conflicting interests before they escalate, the realities around disclosure and transparency in branded residences agreements, and whether bargaining power is shifting as developers and buyers mature in this space.
Press room
Across the industry, hotel leaders are balancing rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation and data analytics against evolving traveller behaviour, rising operational complexity and increasing pressure to deliver sustainable growth. AI adoption in hospitality is expected to accelerate significantly through 2026, particularly across revenue management, guest personalisation and operational efficiency.
Minor Hotels will introduce NH Hotels & Resorts to the Middle East with the opening of NH Riyadh Prime Square Hotel in 2030. Developed by Heyazah Real Estate Development, the 121-key hotel will form part of the Prime Square mixed-use destination in Riyadh’s King Fahad District, supporting the city’s continued growth as a major business, tourism and events hub.
UN Tourism and The Bench have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the beginning of a strategic collaboration to advance tourism investment, innovation, and education on a global scale.
Industry news
Institutional capital keeps circling Africa but seldom lands. The hesitation is not about opportunity. It is about trust. Global investors still price African tourism and hospitality as if they are betting on volatility rather than performance.
Hotel revenues in the UAE surged past AED 26 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 6.3% increase year-on-year, with occupancy rates hitting 80.5%. Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri attributed the growth to strong public-private collaboration, aligned with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets a AED 450 billion contribution to GDP by the next decade. Preparations are also underway for the UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit, part of FHS World 2025, which will bring together ministers and senior officials from 53 African nations.
Advisory Board members offered a treasure trove of insights, recommendations, and strategic ideas aimed at shaping the upcoming event into an industry-defining gathering.
Reports
The 2026 U.S.-Iran conflict has emerged as one of the most significant geopolitical disruptions to affect GCC hospitality since the COVID-19 period, creating immediate pressure on aviation, traveller confidence, hotel performance, and investment activity across the region. While the operational shock has begun to stabilise following the ceasefire announcement and easing airspace restrictions, investor sentiment remains cautious and increasingly selective.
Industry Pulse Report | April 2026 Compiled for Hospitality Leaders, C-Level Executives & Industry Stakeholders For the Industry, by the Industry
The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia 2025 was marked by a rich array of discussions that delved into the evolving landscape of the hospitality sector within Saudi Arabia and globally.