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Hotel technology is moving from a collection of standalone systems to a connected operational ecosystem, with cloud solutions, AI, cybersecurity, and seamless guest technology becoming central to how properties are designed and run. In this FHS World conversation, Mansoor Aman Khan, VP & GM, Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean at WorldVue, discusses why owners need to invest in the infrastructure behind the guest experience, how technology requirements differ between city hotels and remote resorts, and why Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading adoption across the region.
From helping shape Abu Dhabi’s early tourism sector to building Rotana into one of the Arab world’s leading homegrown hotel management companies, Nasser Al Nowais has witnessed the region’s hospitality industry transform from the ground up. In this FHS World conversation, the Founder and Chairman of Rotana reflects on the company’s beginnings, the importance of developing regional hospitality talent, Rotana’s growth to more than 120 hotels, and the principles that have shaped its long-term relationships with owners.
In branded residences, the biggest tension often sits between control, standards and exit. At FHS World 2026, Elias Hayek, Shareholder & Co-Chair, Middle East and European Hospitality Group, Greenberg Traurig, joined us to discuss his session “Terms, Tensions, and Trade-offs” and the key challenges shaping branded residential development. Elias shared how brands look to protect long-term standards and maintain a relationship with owners’ associations, while developers often seek to monetise and exit once the residential product is sold. It is a critical conversation for anyone involved in branded residences, mixed-use development and hospitality investment.
Hospitality growth often starts in markets others are only beginning to notice. At FHS World 2026, we sat down with Ayman Ezzeddine, Senior Director of Development, Radisson Hotel Group, to discuss Radisson’s regional expansion, from Egypt and Saudi Arabia’s secondary cities to emerging opportunities in Iraq, Syria and Libya. Ayman also shared why FHS continues to be an important platform for reconnecting with the industry, exploring new markets and building long-term partnerships.
Investment in Madinah is moving beyond traditional demand drivers. At FHS World 2026, Michelle Turney of The Bench sat down with Awad Bajsair, Investment Manager, Knowledge Economic City, to discuss the investment outlook for Madinah and how Knowledge Economic City is helping shape the city’s next phase of growth. The conversation explored how new residential, hospitality, retail and mixed-use developments are creating fresh demand beyond religious tourism, while strengthening Madinah’s appeal as a place to live, invest and do business.
Dimitris Mankis shares his excitement about FHS World 2026 and how the market is showing signs of recovery and resilience.
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.
In this interview at FHS World, Mariam, Relationship Manager at QIB UK, shared insights into how the bank bridges Middle Eastern capital with UK real estate and hospitality investments. The discussion explored the shift in investor appetite from residential to commercial assets amid rising UK tourism, how QIB UK structures Sharia-compliant financing for large-scale projects through syndication with Islamic banks, and where outbound GCC investment is heading as focus moves from residential to commercial opportunities.
Knowledge Economic City is positioning itself as a gateway to Madinah’s future, with one of the Kingdom’s largest mixed-use developments within the Haram boundaries. Speaking at FHS Saudi Arabia, Marko Vucinic, Executive Director, Investment and Asset Management, Knowledge Economic City, highlighted the scale of the project, which spans 6.8 million sqm of development land and includes residential units, hotel keys, commercial space, retail, schools, lifestyle districts, and major connectivity infrastructure.
In this FHS Saudi Arabia 2026 conversation, Joanna Kurowska, Vice President, MEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts, shares her perspective on what makes the Kingdom one of the region’s most exciting hospitality markets, how owner expectations are evolving across the Middle East and Africa, and why balancing international standards with local culture is key to long-term success.
At FHS Saudi Arabia 2026, Suita spoke with Wytze Van den Berg, Vice President EMEA, BWH Hotels, about what makes the Kingdom’s hospitality market so distinctive. He highlighted the impact of Vision 2030, the clear structure and support from the government, the rapid development of infrastructure, and the strong interest from investors and developers looking to build and fund hospitality projects across the Kingdom. Compared to other growth markets in Africa and Asia, Saudi Arabia’s combination of ambition, planning, and industry support is creating a uniquely powerful environment for hotel development.
Saudi Arabia’s hospitality market is moving into a new phase. In this interview with Daria, Dr. Sarah Gasim, Senior VP - Head of Hotels, KSA, JLL, shares how the market is shifting from standalone asset development towards more experience-led, product-focused hospitality concepts. She also highlights the changing investment landscape, with new funding structures, capital market participation, FDIs, joint ventures, PPPs, and alternative operating models reshaping how hospitality projects are being funded, developed, and delivered across the Kingdom. As Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector continues to mature, the opportunity is no longer just about building more rooms. It is about creating differentiated products, stronger partnerships, and long-term value.
Michael Aldridge, Founder and CEO of KOFISI at FHS Saudi Arabia 2026, shares that the difference between a traditional office and a truly exceptional workspace comes down to hospitality. KOFISI approaches the workplace as a hospitality brand, using service, experience, and thoughtful design to create a better workday for its members. As Michael explains, service may keep the lights on, but hospitality helps shine a light on people’s ideas. It is this thinking that sits behind KOFISI’s pioneering concept of the “hotelified workspace”.
David Keen, CEO and Founder of QUO Global, discusses how the hospitality industry is evolving at a rapid pace, with the Middle East leading this transformation.
In this interview at FHS World, Govind Mundra, Head of Development – Middle East & Africa at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, shared insights into the group’s approach to branded residences across the region. The discussion explored how Wyndham leverages its global scale to build a distinct identity in the branded residences space, common misconceptions developers face when entering the sector, and where the strongest pipeline opportunities are emerging in MEA.