Hospitality
Charting the Course for the Business Travel Industry in 2024
The UAE’s triumphant narrative in the post-pandemic era reflects a strategic fusion of business and leisure, shaping the landscape for travel in 2024. Underpinning this trend are international companies, investors, and entrepreneurs, each playing a pivotal role in building the thriving landscape of the UAE. Beyond its geographical appeal and its central location, what distinguishes the UAE is its unwavering commitment to cultivating a diverse and inviting business environment, as evidenced by being ranked 16th globally in ease of doing business by the World Bank in 2020.
Key to this success is the visionary Golden Visa program, a key driver attracting top-tier talent seeking more than just transient opportunities. The Golden Visa initiative has proven transformative, surpassing expectations with over 151,600 enrollments between 2019 and 2022, according to the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) in the UAE. It stands as a symbol of the country’s commitment to fostering a global talent pool that can thrive in a business-friendly environment.
Anticipating the Dynamics of Global Meetings
The country’s position as a leading business hub has resulted in an increasing trend of extended stays. Beyond boardrooms and business negotiations, visitors find themselves drawn to the cultural richness and recreational activities that the country offers. According to the UAE Ministry of Economy, the contribution of the travel and tourism sector to the UAE’s GDP was nearly AED 167 billion which is equivalent to 9% of total GDP, indicating a growing trend where business travel can transform into holistic experiences embracing the country’s diverse attractions.
As the UAE prepares to host COP28, a significant international event focused on climate change, there’s a notable synergy between this environmental platform and the world of business travel. The event, set to shine a global spotlight on the UAE’s commitment to sustainability, also presents a strategic opportunity for businesses to engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions. This makes it evident that true “sustainability” is not about restricting powerful face-to-face connections that foster partnerships, collaboration, and help forge connections beyond the confines of virtual meetings, but rather finding harmony between business imperatives and ecological impact. Because real sustainability is not just about less travel – it is about smarter, more conscious travel.
Evolving Immigration Landscape: Navigating the Path Ahead
In the face of an increasingly globalized economy and heightened global competition for top talent, the UAE’s proactive and ongoing adjustments to its immigration landscape usher in new visa categories and foster inclusivity that benefits both travellers and businesses. Other broader initiatives, such as the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, anchor these changes and help set the scene for Dubai to cement itself among the world’s top three cities and ultimately pave the way for the country to have an exceptionally open and inviting business landscape.
The attractiveness of the immigration landscape to diverse international talent will also fuel growth by allowing businesses access to a world-class talent pool that houses fresh perspectives, skillsets, and innovative ideas.
Adaptability of the UAE’s business environment
As the UAE continues to redefine itself on the global stage, the convergence of business, leisure, and global talent paints a compelling picture of a nation that has seamlessly adapted to the challenges of a post-pandemic world. The UAE stands testament to the power of innovation and strategic vision and offers a blueprint for other nations seeking to forge their own path of prosperity and inclusivity.
Hospitality
Make Saturdays a Family Affair with a Weekend Family Lunch and Redeemable Pool & Beach Access at Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa
Saturdays just got even more exciting at Sevilla, the elegant all-day dining destination overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Families are invited to indulge in a vibrant Weekend Family Lunch every Saturday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, combining an exceptional international dining experience with redeemable access to the hotel’s pool and private beach.
Designed to bring families together while enjoying the best of dining and leisure, the experience is priced at AED 210 per adult, with 50% savings for children aged 5–12 years, while children under 5 dine free.
Guests can indulge in an extensive family lunch buffet featuring an exceptional selection of fresh salads, chilled seafood, international cheeses, Arabic specialties, and globally inspired main courses. Highlights include a live sushi counter, succulent carving stations, a made-to-order pasta station, authentic Arabic mixed grill, Asian noodle station, traditional Lamb Ouzi, and an irresistible array of handcrafted desserts, complemented by fresh juices and infused water.
Following lunch, guests can continue their day by relaxing at the pool or unwinding on the private beach with redeemable pool and beach access, making it the perfect weekend escape for families.
For those looking to enjoy the facilities without lunch, the property also offers redeemable pool and beach access:
- Weekdays: AED 125 per person
- Weekends: AED 175 per person
The offer is designed to enhance the guest experience by combining exceptional dining with leisure, providing outstanding value while creating memorable family weekends.
With breathtaking Gulf views, elegant interiors, and a beautiful outdoor terrace, Sevilla offers the perfect setting for a relaxed afternoon of international cuisine, live culinary theatre, and quality family time.
Weekend Family Lunch
- When: Every Saturday
- Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Price: AED 210 per adult
- Children (5–12 years): 50% off
- Children below 5 years: Complimentary
- Includes: International family lunch with live cooking stations and redeemable pool & beach access.
Whether it’s a leisurely family lunch, a weekend celebration, or a day by the water, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa offers an ideal destination where exceptional hospitality meets beachfront tranquillity.
For bookings, please direct them to F&B Reservations at +971 56 545 0274 or email fbsecretary.alraha@danathotels.com
Hospitality
DISCOVER THE PERFECT SUMMER ESCAPE AT ME BY MELIÁ DUBAI

Summer is officially here, and for those staying in the city, ME by Meliá Dubai invites guests to discover a new season of curated summer experiences launching this July. From exclusive residential long-stay offers and luxurious daycations to rejuvenating spa rituals, the hotel has curated a collection of experiences designed to help guests relax, recharge and make the most of the season.
Stay with ME – Exclusive Long Stay Offer
For those planning a longer stay in Dubai, Stay with ME offers a sophisticated way to experience the city with all the comforts of a beautifully designed home. Starting from AED 13,500 per month, guests can enjoy a seamless extended stay complemented by exclusive perks and signature ME by Meliá Dubai touches.
The offer includes complimentary Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping, ensuring a stress free and connected stay. Guests can also benefit from 30% off spa treatments, Central Restaurant, in room dining, and laundry services. With access to the gym, pool, and sauna, alongside complimentary valet parking, this long stay experience is ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in ME by Meliá Dubai’s distinctive lifestyle.
Availability: Extended until end of August 2026
Reservations & inquiries: 04 525 2500 | reservations.me.dubai@melia.com
Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.
Daycation at ME
Looking to escape for the day? ME by Meliá Dubai is the perfect place for it. Priced at AED 400 per person, guests can relax poolside and completely switch off from the daily hustle and bustle. For those looking to stay active, the experience also includes full gym access, perfect for a morning workout before taking a dip in the pool.
Guests can then retreat from the midday heat with a 45-minute spa treatment of their choice before enjoying a specially curated set-menu lunch at the hotel’s Central Restaurant.
Availability: July – August 2026
Time: 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | 6:00 pm -10:30 pm
Rate: AED 400 per person (fully redeemable)
Reservations & inquiries: +971 549917489 | aura.medubai@melia.com
The Cabana Experience
Soak up the sunshine in ultimate style with the Cabana Experience. Perfect for sunbathing, splashing in the pool, or simply lounging in comfort, each cabana is designed to be a private oasis. Standard room guests can enjoy a cabana for AED 250 (for two people), complete with two refreshing beverages of choice, mineral water, cooling towels and a hand fan, plus sun protection by Deeper Beauty to keep everyone perfectly pampered under the sun. Suite guests receive a complimentary cabana with the same indulgent inclusions. Whether it’s sipping a chilled drink poolside, cooling off in the pool, or simply basking in the rays, the Cabana Experience transforms an ordinary day into a sun-soaked escape full of relaxation, fun, and effortless luxury.
Availability: Ongoing
Rate: AED 250 (for two people) – Standard room guests | complimentary for Suite guests.
Included: x2 beverages, mineral water, cooling towels, hand fan and SPF protection.
For reservations and inquiries: +971 54 991 7481
Offer subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.
Fee is non-redeemable
Cabana access is limited to a maximum of 2 guests.
Children below 6 years old enjoy complimentary access.
90 Minute Summer Reset – Wellness by ME Spa
Summer has arrived, making it the perfect time to recharge with a bespoke 90-minute spa journey at Wellness by ME Spa. Escape the heat and indulge in a 60-minute aromatherapy massage, followed by a 30-minute body scrub for AED 450. Complete the experience with a complimentary refreshing tea and access to the hotel’s pool, sauna and gym for the ultimate summer wellness retreat.
Availability: The month of July
Rate: AED 450
Reservations & inquiries: spa.me.dubai@melia.com | 04 52 52 500 | 04 52 52 589
Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.
With a collection of experiences designed to suit every summer itinerary, ME by Meliá Dubai continues to offer guests a contemporary escape in the heart of the city.
Hospitality
MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS AL JADDAF REWARDS LONG SUMMER STAYS WITH 15,000 BONUS MARRIOTT BONVOY POINTS


This summer, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf is rewarding its longest-staying guests with something worth settling in for. Guests who stay 30 nights or more, completed before 7 September 2026, will earn a bonus of 15,000 Marriott Bonvoy points.
The offer lands as Dubai’s hospitality market leans further into longer-stay demand and within that expansion, hotel apartments have carved out a distinct niche: business travellers on extended assignments, relocating executives and families settling in for months at a time are increasingly choosing the flexibility of a private residence over a traditional hotel room, a shift that is prompting operators across the city to compete harder for the long-staying guest.
The timing is no accident as Al Jaddaf has recently completed a refurbishment across its residences, refreshing interiors while preserving the warm, residential character the property is known for. Every apartment now also features an in-unit water filtration system for premium drinking water, removing the need for single-use plastic bottles across the building, part of a broader push to make longer stays not just more rewarding, but more comfortable and more sustainable. Beyond the apartment door, residents find a fully equipped gym, two outdoor swimming pools, a Balinese spa, a beauty salon, an ATM and an on-site convenience store, along with five restaurants and lounges that carry them from a business dinner to a relaxed family meal to a quiet evening drink.
The bonus builds on rewards that already come with every stay. Across the Marriott Executive Apartments brand, guests now earn 5 Marriott Bonvoy points for every US dollar spent, while every night counts as one Elite Night Credit towards Marriott Bonvoy status. For those settling in for a month or a full season, a long stay in Dubai becomes a fast track to elite recognition across Marriott International’s portfolio of more than 10,000 hotels worldwide.
“Many of our guests choose to stay with us for months rather than nights, and this summer’s offer is a way of recognising that,” said Saad Al-Ghamdi, General Manager. “The longer a guest makes Al Jaddaf their home in Dubai, the more rewarding the stay becomes, both during their time here and across the wider Marriott Bonvoy programme.”
With monthly and yearly residency arrangements available, guests enjoy the flexibility of a private lease without the setup costs, the paperwork or the compromise on service that usually accompany it.
Set in the heart of Dubai with views over Dubai Creek and the city skyline, Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf sits less than 10 minutes from Downtown Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Airport. Its fully serviced one, two and three-bedroom apartments come with full kitchens, generous living and dining areas and dedicated workspaces, alongside twice-weekly housekeeping, 24-hour concierge and security, and in-room dining around the clock.
Reservations
To book the offer, guests can apply promotional code S2449 at marriott.com/DXBHC or through the Marriott Bonvoy app. To explore longer stays at Marriott Executive Apartments Al Jaddaf more broadly, please visit marriott.com/DXBHC or contact the hotel at reservations.jaddaf@marriott.com.
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