Latest news with #TheBench
Hospitality Net
2 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Cape Town is Hot Property Development boom bodes well for Africa's top hotel investment summit
Cape Town's hospitality and real estate industries are experiencing remarkable growth, reinforcing the city's current status as Africa's premier destination for tourism and investment. This surge bodes well for the upcoming Future Hospitality Summit Africa, the continent's most influential hospitality & tourism investment conference, which comes to 'The Mother City' on June 17-18. When destinations experience strong economic growth, they are typically a magnet for money, as investors are keen to come and see what's going on. Their presence has a knock-on effect of attracting top executives from developers, bankers, operators and brands, who are keen to meet their peers and discuss new opportunities. So, the organisers expect the Summit to be busy. The city's hotel sector has shown outstanding performance, with CoStar's April 2025 figures revealing an occupancy rate of 72.5%, the highest in South Africa. Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) climbed by 20.1% year-on-year, reaching ZAR 2,286.63 and the Average Daily Rate (ADR) reached ZAR 3,145.96, up 17.7% on 2024. According to Philip Wooller, Area Director for the Middle East and Africa at CoStar. He said: 'Cape Town's performance reflects a powerful rebound in demand and a growing confidence in the city's hospitality offerings. The consistent rise in both occupancy and RevPAR shows that Cape Town is not only back on the global travel radar—it's commanding a premium.' — Source: The Bench — Source: The Bench This strong performance extends across the Western Cape too. In April 2025 the province posted a 64.6% hotel occupancy rate, well above the national average of 56.3%. Cape Town's Luxury properties also performed particularly well then, achieving an impressive 66.2% occupancy—outpacing counterparts in other major South African cities. Cape Town's real estate market is experiencing a similar boom. In 2024/5, the average capital value of property reached R13,400/sqm, significantly higher than Johannesburg, and Pretoria. We're seeing a convergence of factors driving the real estate upswing in Cape Town: a robust tourism pipeline, investor confidence, and a renewed focus on mixed-use and lifestyle-driven developments. The city's appeal is both emotional and financial—it makes sense to visit, and increasingly, it makes sense to invest. Wayne Godwin, CEO at JLL Africa In keeping with its reputation as an investment-grade forum, FHS Africa's agenda will focus on all aspects of hospitality investment and finance, as well as development, capital markets, dealmaking and the sector's most pressing issues and opportunities. In the hospitality industry, it is known as a networking hub for global industry leaders, major investors, and policymakers and is an event where substantial deals are often conceived and announced. We're seeing strong and sustained demand in Cape Town, driven by both international, and regional travel. This is creating meaningful opportunities for growth, particularly in the premium and luxury space. The anticipated addition of Morea House, Autograph Collection later this year reflects this momentum and the market's appetite for distinctive, high-quality hospitality experiences. Karim Cheltout, Senior Vice President, Lodging Development at Marriott International, Middle East and Africa.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What Sam Burgess said after George Williams trained today
WARRINGTON Wolves skipper George Williams trained today. He is ahead of schedule with his recovery from surgery and his eyes remain firmly fixed on pulling on the Wire shirt in the Challenge Cup Final against Hull Kingston Rovers at Wembley on Saturday, June 7. These remain early days and Williams still has work to do to be available for selection, but the signs are positive that Warrington's most lethal weapon could give his side a massive boost and be on the field for the showpiece decider. Head coach Sam Burgess has commended the England star's drive in his bid to win his fitness race. Williams has missed the last six matches following surgery for ruptured ankle ligaments but in early May he made it known that he was setting the cup final as his return date, should The Wire overcome Leigh Leopards in the semi-finals – which they did. 'He's really pushed the boundaries on his programme and he's ahead of schedule,' said Burgess. 'It's a 10-week injury, and the Wembley game would be about seven-and-a-half weeks. 'Regardless of whether he plays or not next week, he's done a great job in pushing the boundaries on his own performance and his own ability to recover. 'Also the medical staff have seen that the goal posts can be shifted at times. Where there's a will there's a way. 'There is a bit of time between now and then. He's got to get the practise done. He's trained today and he looked to be moving ok so we'll see how he goes. 'George made a commitment that he won't leave a stone unturned and he's not. 'He's really attacked his rehab and the club have been very good. 'He's got a good relationship with Nick Murphy (head physio) and Ade Gardner (head of performance), so they've thought outside the box and they've gone far and wide to push him as hard as they can without making him break down. 'So he'll come back in some good shape hopefully.' More: Trio set to return for Wire's Cas clash, but two to miss out When Williams spoke about his injury and surgery on Sky Sports' The Bench podcast in early May, he revealed he is following a programme aimed at shaving time off his recovery – one that has never been successfully completed by a rugby league player. 'Eight to 10 weeks is what they normally say but we're following a programme that Leinster rugby union have used that gets players back in seven,' he said. 'That's the goal for me – I've had two weeks off already after surgery and it's five weeks until Wembley if we get there. 'That would be seven weeks and two days – it's been done before but I think only two players have managed that, and they're both rugby union players. 'I think the posh word for it is 'syndesmosis' and it's basically ruptured ankle ligaments. 'I did a Grade Two – which isn't a full rupture but a tear – in Round One last year, so it was basically a ticking time bomb for me. 'If you've already got little tears in there then the same movement will eventually snap it, which is what happened to me.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wednesday Release Contemplative New Song 'Elderberry Wine': Stream
The post Wednesday Release Contemplative New Song 'Elderberry Wine': Stream appeared first on Consequence. Wednesday have released 'Elderberry Wine,' their first new song since 2023, along with a Spencer Kelly-directed music video. Stream it below. A breezy, quasi-country track driven by Karly Hartzman's delicate vocals, 'Elderberry Wine' features a chorus backed by guitarist MJ Lenderman in which they sing: 'And the pink boiled eggs stay afloat in the brine/ 'Cause even the best champagne tastes like elderberry wine.' In a statement, Hartzman revealed the song was inspired by a story involving the plant's equal benefits and consequences. ''Elderberry Wine' is about the potential for sweet things in life (love, family, success) to become poison if not prepared for and attended to correctly,' she explained. 'One time… my sister consumed them raw and it immediately induced vomiting. So 'Elderberry Wine' is ultimately a love song about creating just the right environment for fulfillment. There's a delicate balance that needs to be created, especially in love, for two lives to intersect without poisoning each other.' The accompanying video was shot at The Bench, the second oldest bar in Greensboro, NC. Director Spencer Kelly explained that their aim was to capture the establishment's natural ambiance. 'On any given day, you'll find people there from all walks of life swapping stories beneath the music blasting overhead,' he said. 'We came in with some specific scripted scenes, but we wanted to capture the bar as authentically as possible — so everyone you see in the video is a regular, including Karly's dad, George. This video is a bit of a love letter to places like this, where the sense of community runs deep and the beers are always cold.' Tonight (May 21st), the band will perform the track during their late night television debut on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The episode will air at 11:35 p.m. ET on CBS. Wednesday also have two upcoming festival slots: Portland's Project Pabst and Las Vegas' Best Friends Forever (get tickets here). The group's most recent album, Rat Saw God, was named by Consequence as the second best album of 2023. The following year, Wednesday contributed to a track on Cardinals at the Window, a benefit album that raised donations for those displaced by Hurricane Helene. Revisit Jonah Krueger's feature 'Pedal Steel Is Weeping Its Way Out of Country and into the Mainstream,' which included an interview with Wednesday's steel player, Xandy Chelmis. Popular Posts Trump Warns Springsteen: "He Ought to Keep His Mouth Shut Until He's Back Into the Country" New Reality TV Show That Sees immigrants Compete for US Citizenship Has Backing of Trump Administration: Report Holy Shit, You Have to See Footage from System of a Down's Concert in Brazil Bruce Springsteen Gives Trump the Middle Finger with Another Defiant Concert Guns N' Roses Share Video of Axl Rose Repeatedly Falling Onstage: Watch Nathan Fielder's The Rehearsal Tackles Autism — Thanks to a Consequence Article Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
Syyaha
14-05-2025
- Business
- Syyaha
FHS Saudi Arabia presents winners of the 2025 FHS Awards
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 13 May 2025: Earlier today, on stage at the Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia taking place at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah in Riyadh this week, the winners of the 2025 FHS Awards were announced. The recipient of the Future Leader Award is Lama AlQawasmi, Co-Founder and COO, Hospitality Talents. In partnership with Sommet Education, the Future Leader Award recognises young, ambitious talent shaping the future of hospitality in Saudi Arabia. Based on three key criteria – innovation, impact and leadership – Lama was chosen as the winner by a jury consisting of Louis Nicolas Barrios, Regional Manager Innovation Education and Investment, UN Tourism; Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO, The Bench; Carlos Díez de la Lastra, Chief Executive Officer, Les Roches and Anouck Weiss, Sommet Education Chief Communication Officer, Co-founder and Executive Vice President of The Sommet Education Foundation. On the occasion, Anouck Weiss shared: 'Lama AlQawasmi embodies the empowering, people-centric leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, and deep passion for hospitality that we strive to nurture at Sommet Education. She represents exactly the kind of leader the hospitality world needs – driven by purpose, committed to others, and unafraid to shape the future. As part of Lama's prize, she will get access to an exclusive scholarship opportunity within Sommet Education's portfolio of Master's, Executive Master's or part-time education at Glion Institute of Higher Education or Les Roches Global Hospitality in the UK, Switzerland, and Spain, access to Sommet Education's alumni networks, internships, and job placement opportunities. The winner of the Impact Leader Award by #FHSWomenPower is Narjes Fattalah, Revenue Manager, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, A Fairmont Hotel. The award celebrates Saudi-national women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, career growth, and industry impact. Narjes was chosen as the winner from a selection of candidates by a jury consisting of Dr. Abeer A. Alamri, Skills Development and Talent Optimization Expert; Nikolina Angelkova, Former Minister Tourism, Bulgaria and Sarah Gasim, Senior Vice President, Head of Hotels KSA, JLL. 'Narjes Fallatah is one of the very few Saudi females in Revenue Management and she is dedicated to nurturing local talent, empowering women in hospitality, and driving commercial success through data-driven decisions. She has demonstrated a strong belief in and commitment to the industry, successfully paving the way for future careers,' said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS Saudi Arabia. 'By recognising these rising stars, we aim to empower and support the next generation of hospitality leaders who are already leading with impact, creativity, and purpose in the hospitality space. As part of our commitment to championing gender diversity and empowering women in hospitality, the #FHSWomenPower Impact Leader Award is the first of its kind, recognising outstanding Saudi national women shaping the future of the industry', Worsley added. FHS Saudi Arabia is taking place at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh from 11-13 May 2025, with the overarching theme of 'Where Vision Shapes Opportunity'. For more information, visit
Arab News
10-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Global investors to convene for Future Hospitality Summit
RIYADH: More than 1,000 tourism innovators, global investors and hotel operators from around the world will join government officials in Riyadh for the 2025 edition of the Future Hospitality Summit. Scheduled for May 11–13 at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, the three-day event will revolve around the theme 'Where Vision Shapes Opportunity,' featuring a dynamic agenda of panel discussions, investment showcases, and high-profile deal signings. Organized by The Bench, the 2024 edition of FHS Saudi Arabia resulted in over $1.1 billion in business opportunities and 17 major deals, reaffirming the event's status as one of the region's most impactful dealmaking platforms. The 2025 summit, held alongside strategic partners such as NEOM, Red Sea Global, Taiba Investments, and the Tourism Development Fund, comes as Saudi Arabia advances one of the world's most ambitious tourism and hospitality strategies. Backed by a $110 billion development pipeline, the Kingdom aims to deliver more than 362,000 new hotel rooms by 2030. In 2023 alone, the hospitality sector contributed SR444.3 billion ($118.4 billion) to the national gross domestic product. Industry leaders at FHS 2025 will explore innovative investment models, address talent development needs, and strengthen partnerships aligned with Vision 2030's mission to diversify the economy and establish Saudi Arabia as a premier global destination for business, culture, and religious tourism. 'FHS Saudi Arabia continues to be a key engine for hospitality investment and 2025 is shaping up to be no exception,' Jonathan Worsley, chairman of The Bench told Arab News. 'With over 1,000 delegates expected in Riyadh, including an expanded pool of investors, we anticipate a strong uplift in deal volume and a substantial wave of new opportunities. While it's difficult to quantify exact outcomes, all signs point to another record-breaking year.' According to Worsley, over a dozen agreements have already been confirmed ahead of the summit. 'Last year, 17 major agreements were signed at FHS Saudi Arabia and we're well on track to exceed that number this year. We anticipate total deal value to surpass previous records driven by significant projects and opportunities across both primary hubs and emerging destinations such as Aseer, Al-Ahsa,' he said. Worsely added:'The partnerships forged at FHS Saudi Arabia will further elevate Saudi Arabia's global hospitality positioning.' Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, and Madinah continue to serve as key investment hubs, while interest grows in mixed-use developments, branded residences, and eco-luxury projects. Worsely said: 'There's strong demand for distinctive, high-end products — from fine dining and leisure assets to mixed-use developments that blend hospitality, retail, and culture.' He added: 'Our summit is not merely a forum for discussion — it's a marketplace where investors meet opportunities. Every panel discussion and networking session is engineered to move the conversation forward.' The 2025 agenda will also debut two new platforms: the 'NextGen Investment Forum,' focused on addressing workforce development in the hospitality sector, and the second edition of 'Startup Den,' spotlighting early-stage companies driving innovation. Saudi Arabia's tourism sector is experiencing rapid growth, with international arrivals reaching 30 million in 2024, with a target of hitting 70 million by 2030, according to a Ministry of Tourism press release. Revenue from international tourists surged 148 percent in 2024 compared to 2019 — the highest growth rate among G20 nations. Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the most ambitious hospitality and tourism transformations the world has ever seen. Duncan O'Rourke Accor's, CEO for the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific An annual performance report published in April highlighted record-breaking pilgrim numbers, cultural milestones, and major international events, all driven by strategic investments, regulatory reforms, and transformative mega-projects. 'Fueled by ambitious Vision 2030 goals, Saudi Arabia's tourism sector presents a compelling investment landscape, evidenced by its record-breaking SR444.3 billion GDP contribution in 2023, accounting for 11.5 percent of the national economy,' Oussama El-Kadiri, partner and head of hospitality, tourism and leisure at Knight Frank said in a statement. He added: 'This growth reflects the Kingdom's strategic initiative to position itself as a leading global tourism destination.' Hospitality operators are swiftly expanding their presence to match the sector's growth, with Accor — one of the event's headline sponsors — broadening its footprint across both primary and secondary cities. 'Saudi Arabia is undergoing one of the most ambitious hospitality and tourism transformations the world has ever seen,' Duncan O'Rourke, Accor's CEO for the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific told Arab News. He added: 'Accor's footprint in Saudi Arabia includes 45 hotels across 15 brands and over 17,000 keys. This is more than growth. It's about legacy, partnership, and purpose. And we are honored to be a part of it.' O'Rourke stated that demand for diversified products is rising. 'From Accor's perspective, we are seeing strong traction across segments, with a focus on branded residences, extended stay, and midscale brands, which offer compelling value while supporting long-stay and group needs.' On pricing, O'Rourke noted that the Kingdom's average daily rate in 2024 reflects solid fundamentals with 'Riyadh's ADR rising by approximately 10-12 percent year on year.' In preparation for global megaevents such as Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034, Accor is also prioritizing flexibility and localized strategies to meet evolving market demands. 'Preparing our teams for the future is not just a strategic priority, it's how çwe live our purpose,' said O'Rourke. 'In short, we're not just responding to labor market shifts, we're helping to shape them.' FHS Saudi Arabia 2025 will offer a dynamic blend of keynote sessions, investor roundtables, and sector-specific panels, with a strong focus on ESG, cultural integration, and effective project delivery. As giga-projects gain momentum, record deal activity is forecast, and investor interest expands into new sub-sectors, this year's summit is set to be a pivotal moment for Saudi Arabia's hospitality industry.
