OCTOBER 2020 AN ITP MEDIA GROUP PUBLICATION The most influential industry leaders in the region AN IANAN IAN TP MTP MP MP MEDIAEDIADIADIADIA GRORORRR UPP P PPPUBBBLIBLIBLIL CCATICATICATCATAT ONONONOO OCOCTOTOBBER 20202020OCOCOCOCOCTOTOTOTOTT BEBEBEBEBEB RRRRR 2020202020202020202000 AN IANAN IAN TP MTPPMPMPMEDIAEDIADIADIADIA GRORORORORORR UP PUP PUP PPPPUBLIUBUBUBBLILIL CATICATICATICATCATCCOOONONONHotelier ME Exterity -GH.indd 128/09/2020 08:53In this issue 3 October 2020 hoteliermiddleeast.com Features 24 This year’s Power 50 list is revealed. Who will come out on top? 46 As Hotel Indigo Downtown Dubai opens we speak to GM Laura Eggleton 50 Meet the judges for this year’s Hotelier Middle East awards THIS MONTH Hotel Indigo GM Laura Eggleton A new face on this year’s judging panelIn this issue hoteliermiddleeast.com October 2020 4 Regulars 6 Checking In 8 Trending 12 Talking Heads 18 Careers: Appointments 54 That Figures 56 Checking Out 58 Secret Hotelier Riyadh’s safari lodge on page 6 Heading to Malaysia on page 56 Isabel Pintado talks sustainability on page 12The word 5 October 2020 hoteliermiddleeast.com 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 Deputy Managing Director Martin Chambers Group Editor Paul Cliff ord Editorial Reporter Josh Corder Tel: +971 4 444 3358 email: josh.corder@itp.com Advertising Commercial Director Sally Whittam Tel: +971 4 444 3348 email: sally.whittam@itp.com Sales Director, Hospitality & Design Rebecca Lockwood Tel: +971 4 444 3268 email: Rebecca.Lockwood@itp.com International Sales Manager Amanda Stewart Tel: +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 Designer Gerald Du Photography Senior Photographers Efraim Evidor, Adel Rashid Staff Photographers Aasiya Jagadeesh, Fritz John Asuro, Ajith Narendra Production & Distribution Group Production & Distribution Director Kyle Smith Production Manager Basel Al Kassem Production Coordinator Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles Circulation Distribution & Warehouse Manager Paveen Nair Marketing Director of Awards and Marketing Daniel Fewtrell ITP Group CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies MEDIA Hello, This issue is always one of the most eagerly-anticipated of the year (even more so when you were all expecting The Power 50 to be in September’s edition). As always with lists, there will be disagreements, confusion and frustration. I get that, which is why the team here at Hotelier has sat for a long time and gone over this again and again. Over the past few months I’ve had conversations with many of you about how this list is put together. Well, this year it is based on leadership and influence, not just on the number of hotels a group has in the pipeline or how long someone has been in position. Does that mean it’s open for more debate? Probably. But this year has been unlike any other, and leadership teams have had an opportunity to show what they’re made of. We asked them to tell us how they have navigated 2020 so far and what the plans are for the future. The answers prove that this industry will be just fine in the long run. Well done to everyone on the list, but only one person can come top. However, like He-Man and ‘90s German dance group Snap, you all have the power. Paul Clifford, Group Editor 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.hoteliermiddleeast.com October 2020 6 Rapid expansion Radisson Hotel Group opens two new properties in Saudi Arabia, adds another in Riyadh to its Radisson Collection and opens a private-members resort to the public Checking in7 October 2020 hoteliermiddleeast.com adisson has expanded its offerings in Saudi Arabia with two new hotels opening this month. The Park Inn by Radisson Jeddah Madinah Road and Park Inn by Radisson Riyadh are part of the hotel group’s 45 properties in the Kingdom – resorts, hotels, or serviced apartments in operation or under development. There is a new Radisson Collection property in Riyadh, too, with the Mansard Riyadh focusing on business travellers across its 140 rooms, 27 serviced apartments and 24 villas. It joins the Nofa Resort Riyadh, which has just opened its doors to the public, when booked through the property’s website. The exclusive desert retreat was previously only available to members. ACTIVITIES Part of the Radisson Collection, which includes properties in unique locations, lled with modern design and offering interesting experiences. The Nofa resort offers an African safari-style experience, with 57 villas and bungalows nestled in the desert’s dunes, 98km from the city of Riyadh. It overlooks Nofa Wildlife Park, which is home to 700 animals, a show jumping arena and a polo eld. There’s also a spa and health club, two outdoor swimming pools (including a separate one for ladies) and a kids’ club. A challenging 18-hole golf course makes use of the natural desert landscape, too. RESTAURANTS There are three on-site restaurants, including Tswalu, which has African- inspired interiors and serves international cuisine all day, The Butcher’s Den, a high- end restaurant specialising in grills with and outdoor terrace and lake views, and Italian venue Al Fresco, a more casual spot serving up stone- red pizzas and more. Private dining can also be arranged and there is also the Hookah Lounge, Al Fresco Café by the pool and the African Tea Room to check out. Inside the Nofa Resort Rooms at the Radisson Jeddah Madinah The pool at Park Inn by Radisson Riyadh Rhoteliermiddleeast.com October 2020 8 TRENDING The government of Dubai has revealed that 90 percent of the emirate’s hotels have already been awarded the Dubai Assured hygiene stamp. Launched in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Department of Economic Development (DED) and Dubai Municipality, the stamp was rolled out in response to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The stamp is based on the preventive protocols issued by Dubai’s Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management. To obtain the stamp, hotels and other tourism establishments have to undergo a stringent veri cation process, with the stamp needing to be reissued every two weeks with new government inspections. Abu Dhabi’s similar Go Safe hygiene certi cate has echoed Dubai’s success. Dubai hygiene stamp given to 90 percent of hotels so far The Ascott Limited (Ascott), one of the leading lodging owner-operators, has revealed it has had ‘remarkable performance’ during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Middle East and Turkey. In the region, Ascott saw occupancy rates hit 80 percent for its long stay guests across the region, where most Middle East hotels in May 2020 had just 36 percent Swiss-Belhotel International has given its executive team in Dubai the responsibility of overseeing operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and India. The Dubai team will work to develop new opportunities across the continents, with the Swiss-Belhotel du Parc in Switzerland being the operational base in Europe. As part of the rejig, several senior members of staff have been given new roles. The recently-promoted senior vice president – operations & development, EMEA & India; senior vice president – group human resources & talent development Laurent A Voivenel will work with senior regional director of sales and marketing, The Ascott Limited sees ‘remarkable performance’ Swiss-Belhotel International moves headquarters to Dubai HOTEL NEWS Europe, Middle East, Africa and India, and group director - sales, marketing, branding and communications Priyanka Kapoor to lead a new team. occupancy. For its short-stay guests, Ascott did not give a gure but said it has had a ‘substantial’ increase in staycation inquiries. Ascott attributed its success in the early stages of the pandemic to its long-stay business model, where it offers a home-like environment with the usual hotel services and amenities. Globally, more than 85 percent of Ascott properties are open. “The strength and sustainability of our serviced residence model by far outweighs the risks and challenges of a traditional hotel model, which we at Ascott have experienced rst-hand during the global crisis. With the unfortunate situation of hotels closing down temporarily, and some permanently, Ascott has been able to endure this pandemic”, said regional general manager Vincent Miccolis.9 October 2020 hoteliermiddleeast.com Dubai-based hospitality company Jumeirah Group has opened its fourth ‘Jumeirah Living’ property – its upscale residential brand – Jumeirah Living Marina Gate. The hotel group, best known for the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Hotel properties, says the expansion of its residential brand is thanks to the new demand for extended stays and serviced living options. Jumeirah Living Marina Gate is the third and nal tower to open within Select Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers will start welcoming guests from October 1. The luxury brand will replace Jumeirah as operators of the iconic tower, following the signing of a management agreement between Hilton and HH Sheikh Suroor Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan. It is the rst of Hilton’s luxury portfolio in the capital. Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, Hilton’s president for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, said, Of cials at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) have promised organisers will maintain the capital’s ‘COVID-free sanctuary’ during tourism events. The city’s ‘safe zone’ concept was rst used during the ve-week UFC Fight Island event on Yas Island to great success. During the sporting spectacle, organisers managed to lock off 11kms of Abu Dhabi, creating a safe space for UFC personnel, Yas Island employees and event staff. xEvent staff and participants were then COVID- “Abu Dhabi is a world leading destination and remains a historic city for Hilton as a location where we began welcoming guests in the UAE almost 50 years ago.” Etihad Towers has 12 F&B outlets, a spa, a private beach, three swimming pools and conference and event facilities. There are 576 guest rooms, suites and residences with views of the Arabian Gulf and a collection of luxury shops at The Avenue. Group’s agship Marina Gate development. Valued at US$1 billion (AED4 billion). In a statement, Jumeirah said it “combines the luxury of a ve-star hotel with the privacy and comfort of home.” The tower comprises 508 keys, split into 104 services apartments, 389 private residences, 15 villas and an executive penthouse. Flooded with light, the accommodations feature oor-to-ceiling windows, along with open-plan kitchens, separate bedrooms and workspaces. Jumeirah Group expands portfolio with Marina Gate property Hilton moves into Abu Dhabi with its rst Conrad property Abu Dhabi hotels to bene t from glamorous tourism events 19-tested every 72 hours and had a 14-day isolation period. Yas Island’s surrounding hotels were used as accommodation to help achieve Abu Dhabi’s ‘protected bubble’ during UFC Fight Island. The ‘safe zone’ includes Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Links Golf Course, Yas Beach and the Flash Forum, with du Arena and Etihad Arena also able to be turned into safe zones. The next Fight Island is running now, until the end of October with ve big events taking place. Next >