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Podcasts
In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Hala Matar Choufany, President of HVS Middle East, Africa and South Asia, shares insights from more than two decades of advising hospitality investors, developers and hotel owners across global markets. From navigating geopolitical uncertainty and understanding investment risk to translating hotel performance data into smarter decisions, Hala explores what drives long-term value in hospitality. The conversation also examines emerging investment opportunities in Egypt, the resilience of the UAE market and the evolving role of women in hospitality leadership, drawing on her own journey and the lessons that have shaped her career.
Ras Al Khaimah is no longer just adding hotels. It is building an entire destination around how people live, work, stay, and play. In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Alison Grinnell of Marjan explores the emirate’s next phase of growth, from integrated master planning and destination resilience to Marjan Island, Marjan Beach and RAK Central. She also discusses the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island, why collaboration across the emirate matters, and how Ras Al Khaimah is creating a hospitality proposition that is distinctly its own.
Marc Dardenne, CEO of Modon Hospitality, discusses how hospitality is shifting from destination-led travel to experience-led stays, and introduces Afiniti, Modon’s new hospitality brand built around curated experiences including family, adults-only, adventure, urban resort and wellness concepts. He also shares plans for branded residences, expansion beyond Abu Dhabi, and the long-term ambition to build Afiniti into a recognised global hospitality brand.
Video Insights
At FHS World, Vincent discusses how Ascott is rethinking the extended-stay model by combining the space and flexibility of residential accommodation with the service and experience of a hotel. He also explains why the model works commercially, from shifting between short and long stays to support occupancy to choosing markets based on sustainable demand rather than growth for its own sake. The conversation also covers Ascott’s expansion across Saudi Arabia, including its target of 15,000 units by 2030, and why the UAE continues to attract hospitality investment and long-term growth.
In this FHS World conversation, Philippe Zuber of Kerzner International discusses how the group is building wellness into the full guest journey, differentiating brands such as One&Only, SIRO, Atlantis and Rare Finds, and balancing distinctive experiences with commercial performance. He also explains why access to talent remains one of the biggest risks in hotel development and why strong owner alignment matters when building luxury hospitality for the long term
Eddy Tannous, COO, Rotana Hotels, joins us for a candid conversation at FHS World 2026. He talks about Rotana's aggressive expansion policy and emerging markets that are going to lead the industry in the next few years.
Press room
Minor Hotels has signed Ampersand Beach House, a 111-key boutique lifestyle hotel under Colbert Collection on Dubai Islands. Set to open in late 2029, the project will bring Ampersand’s London-born concept to Dubai with a focus on design-led, personalised and experience-driven luxury.
Knowledge Economic City (KEC) has signed two exclusive brokerage agreements with Keller Williams Saudi Arabia and RE/MAX Smart Concept for selected residential buildings within its Al Alyaa project in Madinah. Covering approximately 368 residences, the agreements will support Al Alyaa’s sales strategy and expand its reach among qualified local and international buyers and investors. The agreements were signed during FHS World 2026 in Dubai.
FHS World will return to Ras Al Khaimah in November 2027, taking place at Wynn Al Marjan Island through a joint initiative between RAKTDA, Marjan and The Bench. The event is expected to welcome around 1,200 delegates, 250 investors and 200 speakers from 60+ countries, with a programme focused on hospitality investment, destination development, wellness, branded residences, sustainability, technology and AI.
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
What changes when the systems work together? The paper follows information from the underlying architecture to the guest relationship, operating decisions and owner return. Each stage combines relevant partner arguments with evidence and a shared industry question.
AI in hospitality is moving beyond the guest interface and into the way projects are designed, delivered, and operated.
Industry Pulse Report | April 2026 Compiled for Hospitality Leaders, C-Level Executives & Industry Stakeholders For the Industry, by the Industry