Latest news with #RotanaHotels
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
Sheikha Fatima congratulates Al Nowais on UNWTO appointment
Recognition of UAE's vision for women empowerment Sheikha Fatima affirmed that this achievement reflects the success of the UAE leadership's vision for empowering Emirati women—initiated by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and advanced by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. This approach fosters women's capabilities and supports their advancement across all fields. A milestone in Emirati women's global contributions She praised the essential role of Emirati women in various domains, noting that this achievement is not only a result of national empowerment strategies but also a testament to Emirati women's ambition to serve their nation and humanity. She stressed that this milestone enhances the UAE's global model of women's empowerment. International confidence in Emirati leadership Sheikha Fatima highlighted that Sheikha Al Nowais's election—the first woman to hold the UNWTO Secretary-General position—demonstrates international confidence in Emirati excellence. She expressed confidence in Al Nowais's potential to lead global tourism transformation and promote sustainable development. Emirati women as key development partners Sheikha Fatima concluded by reaffirming that Emirati women will remain integral partners in national development and global representation, carrying forward the UAE's message of human empowerment and sustainable progress. UNWTO appointment and background of Sheikha Al Nowais The UNWTO confirmed that Sheikha Al Nowais will begin her term in January 2026, pending formal approval by the UN Tourism General Assembly. This marks a landmark achievement as she will be the first woman to lead the organisation in its 50-year history. Al Nowais is a seasoned Emirati business leader with over 16 years of global hospitality experience. As Corporate Vice President at Rotana Hotels, she oversees owner relations in regions including the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Turkiye. She holds a Finance degree from Zayed University and serves on multiple leadership boards, including the Abu Dhabi Businesswomen Council and Les Roches Hospitality Academy.
Travel Daily News
3 days ago
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Shaikha Al Nowais elected UN Tourism Secretary-General
Shaikha Al Nowais secures the UN Tourism Secretary-General post, becoming the first woman to lead the agency. Gloria Guevara graciously concedes, reflecting on the competitive global election. Today, the global tourism community turned its attention to Madrid, where the Executive Council of UN Tourism gathered to decide the organization's strategic leadership for the 2026–2029 term. In a historic decision, Shaikha Al Nowais of the United Arab Emirates secured the council's nomination as the next Secretary-General, marking the first time a woman will hold the top position in the agency's 50-year history. Al Nowais, a corporate vice president at Rotana Hotels in Abu Dhabi, emerged as the frontrunner early in the voting process, clinching 16 votes in the first round and ultimately securing a projected 24 votes in the second round — well above the minimum 18 required. Her closest competitor, Greece's Harry Theoharis, who played a key role in Greece's tourism recovery during the COVID-19 crisis, received 11 votes. The selection now awaits formal approval by the United Nations General Assembly before Al Nowais takes office in January 2026. A vision for transformation In her remarks following the nomination, Al Nowais emphasized the transformational agenda she intends to bring to global tourism governance: 'As an Emirati woman, I'm honored to make history as the first woman worldwide to win the nomination for Secretary-General of UN Tourism (2026–2029). My vision rests on five pillars that will transform global tourism: Responsible Tourism — protecting our planet, cultures, and communities; Capacity Building — empowering women, youth, and local leaders; Technology for Good — innovation that enhances lives while safeguarding privacy; Innovative Financing — creating sustainable funding models for lasting growth; and Smart Governance — delivering transparent, accountable leadership. For a sustainable tourism future that serves communities around the world.' Her leadership represents not only a milestone for gender representation but also a strategic shift in the agency's priorities, particularly as Abu Dhabi continues to strengthen its position as a global tourism hub with recent projects like the announcement of a Disneyland park and a Las Vegas-style Sphere entertainment venue. Gloria Guevara's gracious exit Among the five other candidates vying for the post, Mexico's Gloria Guevara, one of the most recognized voices in global tourism, was considered a strong contender but was eliminated in the first round after receiving eight votes. Guevara, who has more than 35 years of experience and served as Mexico's Minister of Tourism, offered a gracious concession and public congratulations to her opponent: 'Following today's vote of UN Tourism in Spain, I would like to thank President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo and the Government of Mexico for their unwavering support throughout my campaign. I am also grateful to all the leaders who endorsed my candidacy, and to my amazing team who stood by me on this journey. Congratulations to the new Secretary-General of UN Tourism — I wish her success in this important role.' Guevara's platform centered on building tourism resilience, sustainability, and inclusivity, particularly in the Global South. Despite her exit, her candidacy underscored Mexico's continued leadership ambitions within global tourism circles. Africa's ambitions and lessons learned Ghana's Muhammed Adam, the African Union's officially endorsed candidate, received just two votes and was also eliminated in the first round. His defeat raised important questions about the coherence and effectiveness of African diplomatic coordination in multilateral tourism leadership contests. Despite the setback, Adam's campaign brought attention to critical issues such as strengthening the voice of developing countries and securing greater technical and financial support for underrepresented regions. Strategic challenges ahead Al Nowais will inherit an organization facing significant challenges, including declining membership after the departure of key countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., who have questioned the value proposition of UN Tourism. She will be tasked with rebuilding trust, enhancing operational transparency, and aligning the agency's initiatives with the rapidly evolving needs of the global tourism sector — particularly in the post-pandemic landscape. For travel and hospitality professionals, the coming years under Al Nowais' leadership will be closely watched as a test of how global governance structures can effectively support sustainable growth, innovation, and inclusivity in tourism. Update: Statement by Harry Theoharis on the Conclusion of the UN Tourism Secretary-General Election 'I fully respect the decision of the Executive Council of the UN Tourism to elect Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais as the next Secretary-General. I extend to her my warmest congratulations and sincere wishes for every success in her new role, with the hope that the Organization will move forward decisively—toward a more effective, modern, and inclusive future. Although I was not elected, I am proud of the journey we undertook. We conducted a campaign defined by integrity, consistency, and global reach—conducted with dignity and clear purpose. My candidacy positioned Greece as a constructive voice in international dialogue, offering concrete proposals for a tourism sector that is resilient, sustainable, and fair. It reaffirmed our country's institutional presence on the global stage. If the principles that guided our vision—transparency, green development, and the empowerment of local communities—contribute in any way to shaping the Organization's future course, it would be for me a deeply meaningful and lasting reward. I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to my family, my dedicated team, the Minister of Tourism Ms. Olga Kefalogianni, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the private sector partners whose support helped bring this campaign to life. Αbove all, I thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his trust and invaluable support. Without their belief in this vision, this journey would never have begun. This campaign was, for me, not only a political endeavour but a national one. Greece has gained international recognition and credibility—and that, regardless of the electoral outcome, is our most important achievement. My involvement in the field of tourism will continue. I remain present, committed, and ready to contribute wherever I can be of service—with ideas, proposals, and action. With renewed determination, I continue in my responsibilities as a Member of the Hellenic Parliament with New Democracy, fully dedicated to representing the needs of our citizens and fulfilling our collective mission. One chapter closes. A new one begins. We move forward—with knowledge, experience, and the firm belief that Greece deserves more. Thank you.'
Hospitality Net
15-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
What's next for hospitality in the Middle East?
We're excited to welcome Sathis M Aravinda as our new Regional Director of Sales for MEIA. Sathis brings more than two decades of experience working with leading hospitality brands, including Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Rotana Hotels, and Mövenpick Hotels. Most recently, he served as Associate VP of Revenue, eDistribution, Sales & Reservations at Millennium Hotels & Resorts, where he led the successful launch of 35 new hotels across the region. We sat down with Sathis to hear his thoughts on the evolving Middle East market — and how Duetto can support the region's hospitality growth. Understanding the Middle East hospitality market 'The Middle East is one of the most exciting and fastest-growing regions for hospitality right now,' Sathis shares. 'It's a region full of opportunity, and we're just scratching the surface of what's possible.' And he's absolutely right. With national strategies, ambitious tourism goals, and booming visitor numbers, the Middle East is redefining itself as a global tourism destination. 1. Government-led policy shifts fueling hospitality growth Across the region, governments are rolling out initiatives to drive economic diversification, and tourism is a central focus. In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 is transforming the country from oil-dependent to a diversified economy, with massive investments in tourism, culture, and entertainment. Thinkprojects like NEOM, Diriyah Gate, and the Red Sea Project — these are all reshaping the country into a must-visit destination. Meanwhile, the UAE's Net Zero 2050 initiative is placing sustainability at the center of growth. The country aims to welcome 40 million hotel guests annually by 2031, showcasing its strong tourism ambitions. Leading brands are already aligning with this momentum, integrating green building practices, renewable energy, and eco-conscious experiences that meet the expectations of today's traveler. And it's not just Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Countries like Qatar, Oman, and others across the Gulf are investing in infrastructure, elevating service quality, and implementing national tourism strategies to remain competitive. 'What makes this region so unique,' Sathis explains, 'is the alignment between national policy and private sector ambition. It's not just about building more hotels — it's about building smarter, more sustainable, and experience-driven destinations.' 2. Budget airlines boosting tourism The growth of regional and low-cost carriers is transforming how people travel to — and within — the Middle East. This increased accessibility is revolutionary for our sector, as it brings in a more diverse mix of visitors — from leisure travelers exploring new destinations to digital nomads setting base in the region. The ease of travel is not only boosting tourism numbers but also encouraging longer stays and repeat visits, supporting long-term, sustainable growth for hotels. Sathis adds: "Increased airline connectivity, particularly through budget carriers, is broadening access to the region,' Sathis notes. 'More affordable flights mean more visitors — from families on vacation to entrepreneurs exploring new markets. It's boosting tourism and helping hotels tap into new guest segments.' 3. A new getaway for Dubai's tourism The UAE is also making a landmark investment in travel infrastructure in southern Dubai with the expansion of the new Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Once complete, it's expected to become the world's largest, with the capacity to handle up to 260 million passengers per year — five times the size of Dubai International. For hotels, this development presents a major opportunity. Increased air traffic and expanded route networks are expected to bring significantly more international visitors, driving demand across all accommodation segments — from luxury resorts to midscale and budget properties, particularly those located near the airport. 'The development of DWC is set to transform Dubai's accessibility,' Sathis explains. 'It will supercharge inbound tourism and open up new opportunities for hotels, particularly in areas surrounding the airport. We're looking at millions of new visitors, and hotels need to strategize their pricing and operations to capture this demand surge.' 4. Sports tourism on the rise The Middle East is also gaining ground as a sports tourism hub. From world-class horse racing to Formula 1, the region is hosting an increasing number of international events and drawing in sports fans and event-goers from all over the world. 'The sports tourism angle is huge,' Sathis notes. 'These events attract not just attendees, but their families, sponsors, and media crews — creating demand for hotels across every segment.' 5. A unified tourism ecosystem One of the most exciting developments on the horizon? The Unified GCC visa — an initiative similar to the Schengen visa in Europe. This new visa will allow travelers to move seamlessly across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait, unlocking a new wave of regional tourism and making multi-country trips across the Gulf easier than ever. For the hospitality industry, this opens up opportunities for extended stays, higher occupancy rates, and the creation of cross-border packages and experiences tailored to the modern traveler. 'The introduction of a common GCC visa is a major breakthrough. It opens the door for travelers to explore more destinations in a single trip, which will drive demand across the region,' Sathis shares. 'Hotels can now collaborate across borders to deliver a seamless, multi-destination experience.' Duetto's role shaping the future As the Middle East continues its rapid evolution, Duetto's cutting-edge solutions are empowering hotels to optimize performance like never before. 'The opportunities here are massive,' Sathis says. 'Duetto helps hoteliers make smarter and faster pricing decisions. That's crucial in such a dynamic environment.' Sathis is also enthusiastic about Duetto's recent acquisition of Hotstats, a move that gives hoteliers a clear, actionable view of their overall profits, driving data-backed decisions that increase efficiency and elevate the guest experience. 'The decision to join Duetto was a strategic one, fueled by a desire to contribute to the evolution of revenue management,' he explains. 'Many hotels in the region are still relying on legacy systems, but Duetto brings true innovation. We're offering hotels a complete solution to drive more profitable decisions. Our goal is clear — to become the leading revenue and profit optimization platform for hotels across the Middle East.' With growth projected across the region for years to come, Sathis is focused on helping Duetto strengthen its leadership position across the Middle East. 'The energy here is electric,' he says. 'There's so much potential, and I'm excited to help our partners capture that growth.' About Duetto Duetto is the leading revenue strategy platform for the hospitality industry, unlocking revenue for rooms and event spaces in more than 6,800 hotels, casinos, and resorts globally. The creators of Open Pricing, Duetto's RMS leverages real-time data, predictive analytics, and automation tools to optimize pricing and revenue strategies, driving increased profitability and operational efficiency. With comprehensive reporting and forecasting capabilities, Duetto empowers hospitality professionals with the insights needed to navigate the complexities of the modern travel landscape. Named the world's #1 revenue management system in the HotelTechAwards four years running, from 2022 to 2025, Duetto is on a mission to become the revenue and profit operating system for the hotel industry. For more information, please visit
Skift
14-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Who Is Disneyland Abu Dhabi For? A Look at Key Source Markets and Flights
Disneyland Abu Dhabi is arguably the company's most central theme park, located near to half a billion customers, believes CEO Bob Iger. The announcement of Disneyland Abu Dhabi on Yas Island last week marked the first new Disney park unveiled since 2010 and the first-ever in the Middle East. Strategically placed, execs believe the resort could open the brand up to half a billion potential customers. 'The UAE in many respects is the crossroads of the world,' Disney CEO Bob Iger told CNBC following the announcement. 'About 500 million people that are income-qualified, meaning they can afford to visit one of our parks, live within a four-hour flight from here.' A New Hub For Disney Geographically, Abu Dhabi bridges the East and West, sitting between Disneyland Paris and the major Asian resorts in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. In 2024, the capital's top source markets were India, China, the UK, Russia and Saudi Arabia, according to Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. When neighboring Dubai's tourism footprint is factored in, the broader GCC, South Asia, and Western Europe emerge as dominant feeder markets. The appeal of Yas Island, already home to Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, and other major attractions, is rapidly scaling. 'We saw a 40% increase in international stays at Yas Island hotels last year,' Rotana Hotels COO Eddy Touous told Dubai Eye Radio last week. 'Abu Dhabi is no longer a seasonal destination. [Rotana had] over 82% hotel occupancy in 2024, and demand has become year-round.' Rotana is an Abu Dhabi-born hotel group with 16 hotels currently open in the capital. Airlift and Flights In 2024, Abu Dhabi Airports, operator of the emirate's five commercial airports, saw 29.4 million passengers through its airports, a 28.1% increase compared to the 22.9 million passengers in 2023, according to a press release. Here are some of the main countries located approximately four hours or less from the UAE: Middle East: Saudi Arabia Qatar Oman Bahrain Kuwait Jordan Lebanon South Asia: India Pakistan Sri Lanka Central Asia & Caucasus: Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia Uzbekistan Kazakhstan Africa: Egypt Europe: Cyprus Greece Turkey For Etihad, the busiest short-haul routes last year were those between Abu Dhabi and Delhi, Mumbai, Cairo, Jeddah and Karachi, according to data consolidated by AvBench. While the new Disneyland is many years away, it's worth looking at what Etihad has been doing recently in terms of new routes. Last November, the airline introduced 10 new routes from Abu Dhabi to Atlanta, Hong Kong, Algiers, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Krabi, Phnom Penh, Taipei Tunis, and Medan. While 7 out of the 10 new destinations Etihad was launching were in Asia, it was surprising that India wasn't on the list. Later, the airline mentioned that the announcement of 10 new routes was a testament to its recent success in India, despite no Indian destinations being added to the list. The airline had highlighted that Atlanta has a huge Indian market. According to Arik De, the airline's chief commercial officer , Etihad has seen 110% capacity growth in India since 2023.
Trade Arabia
24-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Rotana ranks in top 5pc for workplace excellence in hospitality
Rotana, a hotel management company, has been ranked among the top 5% of companies in the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure sector in the latest Workday Peakon Employee Voice survey, involving over 433,000 employees. Over 97% of employees in Rotana Hotels, global sales offices, and their Abu Dhabi head office participated in the survey and showed an impressive result placing them above 95% of the companies utilising the Workday Peakon engagement tool. 'Our people are the heart of Rotana, and our strong DNA is built on fostering an environment placing people first' said Philip Barnes, CEO of Rotana. 'This validation confirms the passion and commitment of our teams to create the best working environment'. As part of its people-first strategy, Rotana conducts the annual 'Engaged to LIFE' survey with Workday Peakon, providing employees a platform to share feedback that shapes the company's workplace culture. Prioritising engagement and wellness, Rotana strengthens its workforce, enhances productivity, and attracts top talent, reinforcing its position as a leading hospitality employer, with a Quantum Workplace report showing that engaged employees are twice as likely to stay for two years. Rotana currently operates 79 hotels across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye, welcoming more than six million guests annually.
