TRENDING JOB SPOT HOT TOPIC SECRET CONCIERGE WOMEN IN HOSPITALITY The 2020 power list JANUARY 2020 AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATIONwww.kartellbylaufen.com export@laufen.ch LAUFEN 1982 | SWITZERLANDIn this issue 3 January 2020 hoteliermiddleast.com THIS MONTH Features 22 Cover Story: Women in Hospitality We bring you the top 25 female industry professionals from across the Middle East 40 Entrepreneurs High-end beauty in fi ve-star hotels. We speak to LaLoge's Reem Abou Samra 42 Hoteliers LUX*South Ari Atoll GM Jonas Amstad talks about sustainability and the state of the Maldivian market Regulars 6 Trending 12 Checking In 14 Talking Heads 16 Hot Topic 19 Job Spot 46 How to Spend It 56 Checking Out 58 Secret Concierge P42 LUX* South Ari Atoll eyes GCC-based clientele. P11 CSR initiaves from Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah.The word hoteliermiddleast.com January 2020 4 Published by and © 2020 ITP MEDIA GROUP FZ-LLC PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 (0)4 444 3000 Web: www.itp.com Offi ces in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London & Mumbai ITP Media Group CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve Publishing Director Martin Chambers Editorial Editor Claudia de Brito Tel: +971 4 444 3692 email: claudia.debrito@itp.com Junior Writer Josh Corder Tel: +971 4 444 3358 email: josh.corder@itp.com Advertising Senior Sales Manager Emma Barnett Tel: +971 4 444 3253 email: emma.barnett@itp.com International Sales Manager Amanda Stewart GSM: +44 7908 117 333 email: amanda.stewart@itp.com ITP Live General Manager Ahmad Bashour Tel: +971 4 444 3549, email: ahmad.bashour@itp.com Studio Assistant Designer Rita Ghantous Photography Senior Photographers Efraim Evidor, Adel Rashid Staff Photographers Aasiya Jagadeesh, Fritz John Asuro, Ajith Narendra, Jessica Samson Cover Image: Shutterstock Production & Distribution Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Production Manager Basel Al Kassem Production Coordinator Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Circulation Circulation Executive Loreta Regencia Marketing Director of Awards and Marketing Daniel Fewtrell Events Manager Teri Dunstan ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review. New year, new Hotelier MEDIA As you may have noticed, we've had a little work done. Not only does Hotelier Middle East have a new look and feel, our editorial remit has also changed. The hospitality industry in this region was emerging when Hotelier was launched 18 years ago. This is no longer the case and we thought it was time to present you with a product that is refl ective of the dynamic industry we cover. We want Hotelier to serve as a platform for current and aspiring hopitality professionals and a place where you not only glean information but are given the opportunity to get involved, voice your opinions, make suggestions and possibly connections that may further your career. In this issue, we bring you the highly contested Women in Hospitality list. Now in its second year, the list shines a light on the women who have been working behind the scenes for decades to affect positive change on the industry. I hope a time will come when a list dedicated to women is no longer necessary, but we aren't quite there yet. As the year goes on, you'll see new features dedicated to artisans, entrepreneurs and innovators working in hospitality and though, we are firmly rooted in the Middle East, and remain dedicated to bringing you regionally revelvant content, we'll also bring you more stories from beyond our borders. If you have any comments or suggestions, it would be great to hear from you. Please drop me a line — claudia.debrito@itp.com. Claudia de Brito, EditorDigital Signage + IPTV in oneInteractive guest experience portal Hotelier ME Exterity Ad Nov-THN.indd 122/11/2019 16:07hoteliermiddleast.com January 2020 6 TRENDINGTrending 7 January 2020 hoteliermiddleast.com Closing the gender gap in hospitality Marriott International has launched the Female Leadership Initiative (FLI) Research shows that women in hospitality leadership roles are still the minority, yet they account for more than half of the total workforce. In fact, the Women in Hospitality Leadership Report 2019 by Castell Project showed that only 11% of hotel company leadership positions such as general managers or presidents are held by women In order to encourage more women into senior leadership roles in the Middle East and Africa, Marriott has launched the Female Leadership Initiative (FLI) programme in 2019, founded by fi ve senior Marriott women in the region. A key focus of the initiative will be to overcome confi dence gaps, while helping women develop the necessary skills to take on senior roles. The initiative’s hard KPI is to increase the number of females at Marriott in regional leadership to 30% by 2022, from the current 19%. FLI’s objectives complement Marriott’s global commitment to increasing spend with women-owned businesses, building on the 2020 global goal of US $500m spend, whilst also increasing the number of women-owned hotels. This year, the FLI platform has identifi ed 20 high-potential females within the organisation. They organised networking events to provide a platform for them. In 2020, FLI will focus on launching a mentorship programme for high potential female leaders. GENDER EQUALITY Turn to p24 to see who made this year's list of the top 25 Women in Hospitality Trending hoteliermiddleast.com January 2020 8 Third edition of SHIC to be held in January 2020 Event will address various topics impacting the growth of the Saudi hospitality sector The third edition of the Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC 2020) will be held at the Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel in Saudi. SHIC 2020 will bring together hospitality dignitaries, developers, investors, hotel owners and operators to discuss the future of the Kingdom’s ever-growing hotel market in light of the event theme, ‘Transform Tomorrow’. Hosted by Dur Hospitality, organised by Semark and co-organised by Bench Events and MEED, the event will see more than 60 high-profi le speakers from hospitality companies, including the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, Al Hokair Group, AMAALA, The Red Sea Development Company and Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA). SHIC’s chairman of bench events and founder, Jonathan Worsley said: “We are excited to kick-off 2020 with the third edition of SHIC, which comes following a pivotal year for the Saudi Arabian hospitality industry. The launch of tourist visas in September 2019 marked the Kingdom’s intention to become a global tourism destination and we are proud to be bringing together the tourism offi cials, hotel owners and operators working to make this a reality.” The SHIC programme will address various topics impacting the future growth of the hospitality sector. There will also be case studies on mega projects, leadership panels, roundtables and a three- minute pitch to owners, during which leading brands will present their latest lodging products and loyalty programmes. On day one of SHIC, the Global Restaurant Investment Forum KSA programme will run concurrently, showcasing the most innovative home- grown and international restaurant concepts transforming the F&B sector in Saudi Arabia. JA Resorts & Hotels to open another Dubai property in 2020 JA Resorts & Hotels will be launching a 247-key, four-star property — The Manor by JA — in Al Furjan, Dubai. Room categories include — Simplicity, Clarity and Priority. The property also comprises a 180 square metre suite, equipped gym and rooftop pool. F&B outlets haven’t been announced yet. Commenting on the management agreement, the group’s CEO Anthony Ross said: “While the big players are hindered by complex hierarchies, prolonged processes and lack of direct contact with owners, JA Resorts & Hotels is the opposite; agile and responsive, and thoroughly connected to owners.” The owner of the property, Dr Hanif Hassan Al Qassim said: “JA Resorts & Hotels are the right fit to manage this property. A home-grown brand with a 40-year heritage in the UAE, they have the proven management knowledge and experience, particularly in Dubai South.” OPENINGS SAUDI ARABIATrending 9 January 2020 hoteliermiddleast.com Baky Hospitality partners with chef Reif Othman Egypt’s Baky Hospitality will be partnering with Reif Othman for a collaboration. When owner and founder of Baky Hospitality, Ayman Baky approached Othman, the chef perceived the Egyptian culinary sector as challenging in terms of being able to work with local ingredients and having to import expensive produce. Still, he accepted the challenge and the Dubai-based chef delivered refreshed menus comprising high-end dishes which use mostly local products. After the reinvention of Sachi by the Sea and Kazoku’s menus, Othman then turned to Lexie’s, modern Italian restaurant. The menu was made more sustainable and given a new edge with the use of premium ingredients while staying true to Italian fl avours. Speaking about the collaboration, Othman said: "In Italian cuisine if you have Folia launches at Four Seasons Resort Dubai UAE-based F&B SMEs at Expo 2020 Kempinski launches MENA loyalty scheme Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach has announced the launch of ‘Folia’, a dedicated vegetarian menu. The menu was developed by chef Matthew Kenney and includes herb tacos fi lled with squash and king oyster barbacoa and coconut cream pie with macadamia crust. UAE-based cafés, restaurants and food trucks will be showcased at Expo 2020 in an effort to provide local SMEs with a chance to make a name for themselves. More than 200 F&B outlets are expected to be set up for Expo 2020, serving more than 50 different cuisines and equating to 300,000 meals per day. Kempinski Hotels has announced its MENA loyalty programme. ‘Epicure Essential Pleasures’, provides discounts on F&B experiences at hotels, accommodation rates and spa treatments. The programme has been introduced in select hotels in the UAE, Oman, Kenya, Jordan, KSA, Egypt and Lebanon. EGYPT GREEN CUISINE EXPO 2020LOYALTY PROGRAMME pasta, tomatoes, and olives you have everything, but even though Italian is very simple and easy; still a lot of people don’t do it right, so that’s the tricky part." Commenting on the challenges he faced when creating the cocktail menu, Baky Hospitality beverage director Walid Merhi: "Many things formed challenges in Egypt — the lack of resources and ingredients necessary for a decent cocktail bar programme and the increased taxes on imported goods, compromising the quality of the products. "The biggest challenge was to be able to change the perception of our guests about an Egyptian cocktail," he added.Next >