Latest news with #culturalexperiences
Gulf Business
15 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Elevate DMC's Samir Hamadeh on Eid Al Adha, summer 2025 travel trends
Image: Supplied Eid Al Adha and the summer months continue to be high-impact periods for the UAE's tourism sector. While traditionally driven by peak outbound and inbound demand, 2024 is seeing a shift in how travellers engage with destinations. In this interview, Samir Hamadeh, CEO of He also shares how the company is curating seasonal travel to align with regional trends and the UAE's ambitious tourism agenda. How does Eid Al Adha influence inbound travel demand in the UAE and what trends are you seeing this year in terms of destinations and traveller preferences? Eid Al Adha continues to be a peak travel period, and this year we're seeing a strong shift toward more intentional travel. Guests are increasingly seeking immersive cultural experiences, wellness-led escapes, and destinations that offer a deeper connection to nature and heritage. We're adapting to these evolving preferences by expanding our portfolio with curated cultural experiences, wellness-focused itineraries, and meaningful collaborations that align with sustainable tourism principles. We've also observed a rise in cinematic-inspired journeys that showcase Dubai's status as a global filming hub, all part of a global emerging trend called 'set-jetting', where travellers visit destinations featured in films and TV shows offering bespoke experiences centered around iconic on-screen locations. Read: Are you seeing a shift in the types of travellers booking trips to the UAE during Eid and summer – such as more family-oriented travel, luxury experiences, or adventure tourism? Absolutely. We're seeing a clear shift toward more family-focused, luxury, and adventure-driven travel during Eid and summer. In 2024, the UAE recorded nearly 31 million hotel guests — a 10 per cent increase — driven largely by multi-generational travellers, who made up 60 per cent of Eid bookings. In response, we've curated elevated staycations and active escapes across destinations like Hatta, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, blending comfort with nature and culture. With luxury spend also on the rise, we're tailoring premium experiences that combine exclusivity, wellness, and personalised service to meet evolving traveller expectations. With the increasing popularity of domestic and regional travel, how is Elevate DMC catering to UAE and GCC residents looking for staycations or short-haul getaways? We're curating tailored experiences for regional travellers by collaborating with both leading hospitality brands and boutique resorts in destinations such as Ras Al Khaimah and the Musandam Peninsula. These luxury staycations combine wellness, nature, and privacy. We're also designing short-haul getaways to culturally rich destinations including Salalah (Oman) and AlUla (Saudi Arabia), combining immersive discovery with premium hospitality – ideal for long weekends or quick, rejuvenating breaks. Are you seeing any increased interest in culturally immersive experiences during Eid – such as heritage tours or local festivals? How are you addressing this? Yes, we're seeing a notable rise in interest for experiences that offer a deeper cultural connection during Eid. Travellers are seeking opportunities to engage with local heritage, traditions, and authentic storytelling. In response, Elevate has developed bespoke Eid itineraries that include guided heritage walks through historic districts, immersive traditional craft workshops led by local artisans, vibrant festive culinary experiences featuring regional delicacies and live cooking demonstrations. These experiences are designed to provide guests with meaningful interactions while celebrating the spirit of the season. Given that summer in the region is typically considered off-season, how are you adapting your offerings to attract tourists coming from key travel markets to the UAE during this period? Through the implementation of citywide summer offerings across gastronomy, retail, and entertainment and impactful initiatives such as the 28th edition of Dubai Summer Surprises, the UAE has expanded its indoor attractions to redefine summer travel. Elevate is aligning with these efforts by designing experiences that tap into citywide campaigns, offering visitors curated access to the best of Dubai's summer programming. These initiatives continue to position the UAE as a vibrant, year-round destination – even during the conventionally quieter months.
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Moscow Welcomes Middle Eastern Guests to a Luxurious Summer of Culture and Celebration
This summer, the Russian capital opens its arms to travelers from the Middle East, offering a cool, elegant escape from the heat of the Gulf. With its blend of refined hospitality, immersive cultural experiences, and lush green landscapes, Moscow is set to become a favored destination for those seeking a unique summer city is abuzz with world-class festivals and artistic celebrations. This summer brings a vibrant calendar of seasonal experiences designed to delight visitors of all ages:Moscow Estates Festival invites guests to step back in time with immersive programs hosted at more than 40 historic estates across the Boulevard will unfold across 14 open-air venues with a record-breaking 92-day run, featuring over 600 performances and 3,000 artists from Russia and abroad. Each stage will also host creative workshops, patriotic programs, and family-friendly interactive and Flowers Festival will turn Moscow's urban spaces into blooming landscapes filled with rare plants and vibrant floral art. This festival celebrates the harmony of beauty and ecology, offering stunning backdrops for summer strolls and and Street. Art projects bring open-air dancing, musical evenings, and plein-air art sessions to life in central Moscow, with free master classes and exhibitions on Strastnoy Boulevard. Moscow's iconic parks will also come alive with sound this season. From jazz improvisations and rock ballads to electronic music and solo acoustic sets, visitors will enjoy concerts and shows under the open sky. New picnic zones and family programs across the parks offer fun, relaxation, and entertainment for all visitors can also explore 14 'Made in Moscow' art pavilions, offering locally crafted souvenirs and unique gifts. The Green Market showcases more than 700 top brands from the "Made in Moscow" initiative. From cosmetics and home décor to sweets and pet goods, guests can shop in colorful art pavilions shaped like rockets, candy boxes, and balloons — open all summer and complemented by food courts, lectures, and creative and comfort await at Moscow's premium hotels, many of which offer spa and wellness services, private suites, and dedicated amenities for guests from the Gulf. Personalized experiences, including private guided tours of the Kremlin, Red Square, and the city's museums, create a tailored journey through Moscow's rich history and traveling with children will find a welcoming environment filled with attractions such as aquaparks, science centers, zoos, and sprawling parks like Gorky Park and VDNH. Culturally sensitive hospitality, including halal-certified dining, prayer rooms, and Arabic-speaking staff, ensures all guests feel at also invites guests to explore its sophisticated shopping scene, from iconic department stores like GUM and TSUM to exclusive Russian designer boutiques and artisan markets. Whether one seeks high fashion or local craftsmanship, the city offers a shopping experience to match the world's style capitals. As Moscow's summer season comes alive with art, music, and celebration, the Moscow City Tourism Committee invites travelers from the Middle East to discover a city where timeless culture meets modern luxury — a place where unforgettable summer memories are made.
Hospitality Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
How Independent Hotels Can Stay Competitive in Europe
Chain hotels continue to dominate across the continent, backed by powerful brands, deep pockets and expansive tech stacks. Yet, as an independent hotelier, you're not without options. By understanding current travel trends and leveraging your unique strengths, you can compete – and win. This blog post explores where demand is heading in the region, why chains are thriving and what independent hotels can do to get more of the action. European travel demand Europe remains one of the world's most sought-after destinations, with travel demand rebounding strongly in recent years. Summer is the undisputed peak season for the average European hotel, with July and August seeing the highest occupancy rates across the continent. Southern Europe – particularly Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal – continues to lead in overall visitor numbers, thanks to its warm climate, iconic coastlines and cultural landmarks. But major cities in Western and Central Europe, such as London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam, also maintain year-round appeal due to their rich cultural and business offerings, and strong international connectivity. Northern Europe – including the Nordics and the Baltics – has seen a gradual rise in off-peak travel, particularly among visitors seeking nature, sustainability-focused experiences and cooler-weather escapes. Meanwhile, Eastern Europe is gaining ground with budget-conscious travelers drawn by lower prices, authentic cultural experiences and growing air connectivity. The top source markets remain intra-European travelers, led by Germany, the UK, France and the Netherlands. However, North American visitors are returning in strong numbers, while travelers from the Middle East and Asia are showing increasing interest in Europe, especially during the shoulder seasons. In terms of travel trends, leisure travel dominates, particularly around cultural exploration, gastronomy and wellness. 'Experience-first' tourism – where visitors prioritize meaningful, locally grounded experiences over luxury – is also gaining traction. While big draws like the Eiffel Tower, Colosseum and Sagrada Familia remain high on itineraries, there's growing interest in secondary cities and lesser-known heritage sites, driven by social media and a desire to escape the crowds. What does this mean for hotels? This sustained demand for European travel presents clear opportunities – but also increased competition – for hotels. With peak season still dominating, dynamic pricing strategies should be at the core of your property's plans, alongside well-timed marketing campaigns, especially in the lead-up to summer. However, the growing appeal of shoulder and off-peak travel, particularly if you're in Northern and Eastern Europe, means there's value in promoting year-round offerings and creating tailored experiences for emerging visitor segments. For hotels, especially independents, this is the time to invest strategically in marketing. Highlighting unique local experiences, cultural proximity and personalized service can help cut through the noise, especially as travelers increasingly seek authenticity over uniformity. Even modest increases in digital marketing spend on social media, Google Ads and metasearch can go a long way when paired with well-crafted, experience-led content. As an independent hotel owner or operator, it's also vital to leverage flexibility. Unlike chains, independents can pivot quickly: offering bespoke packages, tapping into niche trends like wellness or slow travel, and partnering with local attractions or artisans. By responding faster to market shifts and guest preferences, your independent hotel can position itself as a distinctive, experience-driven alternative to more standardized chain properties, such as Hilton, Marriott, Accor, Hyatt and the rest. Why hotel chains dominate European travel markets While Europe has historically been a stronghold of independently owned hotels, the landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Today, large hotel chains and property management groups enjoy a huge share of the market, particularly in urban centers and high-traffic tourist destinations. This trend has been fueled by a combination of hospitality industry consolidation, brand expansion and evolving traveler expectations. In the early 2000s, independent hotels made up the vast majority of Europe's hospitality supply – estimates suggest as much as 75 to 80% in some markets. But over the last 10 to 15 years, there's been a steady erosion of that dominance. Chains have expanded aggressively, not only through new builds but by acquiring or affiliating with independent properties via soft brands and franchise models. At the same time, many small operators – facing rising costs, increasing complexity and growing competitive pressure – have either sold to larger groups or left the market entirely. A key reason chains have gained ground is their scale. With centralized booking engines, loyalty programs, stronger bargaining power with online travel agencies (OTAs), such as Expedia and the like, and deep pockets for marketing, they can drive consistent demand and profitability. Their operational efficiencies and access to data also allow them to respond faster to changing market conditions. Independent hotels, by contrast, often struggle with limited resources, both financial and technological. Without large marketing budgets or in-house revenue management teams, many find it challenging to compete on visibility or price. Distribution is another hurdle: chains can dominate OTA listings and metasearch placements, while independents must work harder to be discovered. This widening gap has created a challenging environment for independents, especially those not actively trying to keep up. Yet, despite the dominance of chains, independents still hold a meaningful share of the market and with the right strategies, you can not only survive but thrive. How independent hotels can compete with chain hotels Independent hotels may lack the scale of big brands but they have unique strengths. So, what is the right approach to competing effectively? It all boils down to embracing smart technology and delivering truly personalized guest experiences. Get this right, and, as an independent hotelier, you can streamline your operations, boost visibility and stand out in a crowded, chain-dominated market. Let's take a look. Implement software to save time For independent hoteliers, time is a limited resource. Unlike chain properties with dedicated teams for revenue management, marketing and operations, independents often juggle multiple roles at once. This is where smart software solutions can make a critical difference; by automating repetitive tasks and streamlining day-to-day operations, they free up time for you to focus on what matters most: delivering excellent guest experiences and growing your business. From pricing to distribution, the right tools can handle tasks that would otherwise consume hours each week. Not only does this improve efficiency, it also helps reduce costly errors and ensure more consistent performance. In a competitive market where speed and adaptability are key, software gives independents the ability to respond quickly to market shifts and guest needs, without burning out their teams. For many, it's the difference between just staying afloat and gaining a real competitive edge. Two of the most important areas of consideration are dynamic pricing and channel management, the focus of the two subsections below. Dynamic pricing solutions In such a fast-moving travel market, static pricing simply doesn't cut it. Demand fluctuates constantly – by season, day of the week, even hour by hour – and guests have more tools than ever to compare rates across properties. That's why software for dynamic pricing has become an essential tool for independent hoteliers looking to stay competitive and maximize their revenue. A good dynamic pricing solution uses real-time data to adjust room rates automatically based on market trends, competitor pricing, occupancy levels and booking pace. Rather than relying on gut feeling or manual rate changes, using this technology you can set pricing rules and let the system do the heavy lifting, ensuring your hotel rooms are never overpriced in quiet periods and you're not leaving money on the table when there's high demand. For independents, this kind of automation levels the playing field. It enables you to react with the speed and precision of the big chains, without needing a full-time revenue manager. With less time spent tweaking rates and more revenue generated from smarter pricing, you can focus on elevating the guest experience – which we come to in a moment. But first, a quick look at channel management. Channel management tools With travelers booking through a wide range of OTAs, metasearch platforms and booking engines, managing distribution manually is no longer sustainable, especially for independent hotels. Channel management tools simplify this process by centralizing inventory and rate updates across all connected platforms in real time. A good channel manager ensures that room availability, pricing and restrictions are always accurate and consistent, helping you avoid double bookings, missed revenue opportunities and time-consuming manual updates at your property. It also helps you maintain parity across channels, which OTAs favor in their algorithms, thereby boosting visibility and improving placement in search results. For independent hotels, a channel manager is more than just a time-saver; it's a revenue enabler. By staying visible across more channels with accurate, up-to-date listings, you can capture bookings from travelers who might never visit their direct website. This kind of reach and efficiency was once the reserve of the big brands; now, with the right tools in place, you can compete head-to-head as an independent – and win – on the same platforms. Deliver personalized guest experiences A powerful competitive advantage independent hotels have over chains is their ability to deliver truly personalized guest experiences. While large hotel brands often operate within rigid brand guidelines and standardized service models, as an independent, you have the freedom and flexibility to tailor every aspect of the stay – from check-in to check-out – to reflect your unique identity and the specific needs of your guests. Independent hotels are often more closely connected to their local communities, enabling them to offer a place-based authentic experience that chain hotels can't easily replicate. This might include partnerships with local restaurants, guided tours led by residents or curated welcome packages featuring regional products. These thoughtful touches resonate deeply with today's travelers, who increasingly prioritize experiences over amenities alone. Personalized service is another area where you can shine. With smaller teams and fewer rooms, staff have more opportunities to interact meaningfully with guests – remembering names, preferences and special occasions. Whether it's customizing a room setup for a returning guest or offering local tips based on a traveler's interests, these small gestures build lasting loyalty and repeat business. Offering unique amenities – such as locally sourced breakfast options, in-room wellness kits or flexible check-in times – can also differentiate an independent property. Ultimately, independents can focus on hospitality as an art form, not just a process. In a market where travelers are seeking more connection, character and care, personalized guest experiences aren't just a nice-to-have; they're a strategic advantage that your independent hotel is positioned to deliver. If you're looking for practical strategies to simplify your workload, boost revenue, and keep guests coming back, The Independent Hotelier's Handbook is a good place to start. Gain a competitive edge to drive more bookings Supporting the independent hotel sector since 2012, and winning hotel industry awards along the way, Lighthouse's all-in-one software solution and data are helping hoteliers like you to: Optimize pricing Get ahead in their distribution Streamline their hotel management operations across the board The Lighthouse platform handles the time consuming tasks that drive revenue growth so you can focus on what really matters: your guests. Get in touch to get onboard. About Lighthouse Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners—their success is our success. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: View source
Arab News
25-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Human-centered travel takes priority in Saudi Arabia's tourism vision
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is placing human-centered travel at the forefront of its tourism strategy, focusing on authentic cultural experiences, meaningful interactions, and community engagement as it reshapes its global tourism identity. Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasized that this people-first approach is designed to balance the Kingdom's rapid infrastructure development with heritage preservation and stronger community connections. The strategy, he said, forms a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia's broader ambition to become a leading international tourism destination. Al-Khateeb's remarks come amid the launch of TOURISE, a new platform introduced by the Kingdom to unite global leaders across tourism, technology, investment, and sustainability. The initiative aims to foster innovation and collaboration as Saudi Arabia accelerates its tourism growth while maintaining a focus on sustainable and inclusive development. In an interview with CNN, Al-Khateeb emphasized the importance of human connection in travel, stating: 'We want the experience in travel and tourism to be human.' While acknowledging the role of innovation, Al-Khateeb stressed that technology should enhance — not replace — personal interaction. 'We will definitely always use technology, but we will encourage and protect' human interaction because travel is all about people, he said. The recently launched TOURISE platform, unveiled in late May, is designed to serve as a global forum bringing together key players in the tourism industry. According to Al-Khateeb, the initiative will unite regulators, operators, investors, and nongovernmental organizations to shape the future of a sector that accounts for '10 percent of global GDP and 10 percent of global jobs.' He described the initiative as 'unique' in its ability to bridge government and business to foster innovation and sustainable development in tourism. The Kingdom welcomed 30 million international visitors in 2024, a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year. This influx is part of the kingdom's broader strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil. Riyadh is a focal point of the Kingdom's destination development plans. 'Riyadh is top priority. Riyadh winter is the most beautiful winter in the world,' said Al-Khateeb, referencing attractions like Diriyah, King Salman Park, and the entertainment hub Qiddiya, which he described as 'the largest-ever built sport, entertainment and culture city.' Al-Khateeb pointed to the Red Sea as a top priority, noting the launch of new resorts under Red Sea Global. 'People love to visit the Red Sea, to explore the Red Sea,' he said, highlighting the region's appeal alongside heritage tourism and Arabian hospitality. Despite geopolitical challenges, Al-Khateeb maintained that Saudi Arabia is moving forward with confidence. 'We're happy to see that it's de-escalation in many areas in the region. And I think what is happening in Syria is a very positive thing, and I hope the rest of the region will follow,' he said. 'It is very normal you have some huge investment, upload investment in a country like Saudi Arabia this investment is exposed to, sometimes, risk — capacity, availability risk, financial risk and so on.' 'However, we know this. We have all the mitigation in place,' he added. Looking to the future, Al-Khateeb emphasized the Kingdom's preparations for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034 across multiple cities, including the mountainous south. 'We are holding the World Cup in many cities in Saudi Arabia that will give the chance for the fans to explore the nature and the topography,' he said. Among the projects is the new Mohammed bin Salman Stadium in Qiddiya, which he described as 'out of this world' and offering a 'different experience for fans and for the players.' This strategic focus on human-centered tourism aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, aiming to position the Kingdom as a leading global tourism destination.
Al Jazeera
19-05-2025
- Al Jazeera
Malaysia: Where there is something for everyone
A truly multicultural and multilayered country, Malaysia has something to offer everyone. From glorious beaches and rainforests to educational opportunities and cultural experiences like no other, there's a lot to discover here.
