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Hospitality in the Middle East: A Look at the Region’s Game Changers

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hospitality

By: Mark Lee, General Manager, Media One Hotel

Our strategy over the last few years has really changed and taken onboard the needs and requirements of todays global traveller, whether on a business, leisure or ‘bleisure’ perspective. Whilst there are many aspects that have evolved over this period, I have grouped them into 3 principal focal points that we have focused on at Media One.

Contactless/Tech Savvy hospitality – One of the opportunities that came out of the pandemic was to fast track a more contactless, tech savvy hospitality experience and we jumped on the chance to really take advantage of this. The creation of our own Media One app. which over the ability to sync a number of devices via the guest smart phone; elevator access to the guest room floor, access to the guest room, ability to use smart as tv remote control, digital processing of laundry requirements via  QR code. More recently, we have partnered with Ipsotek to use AI software, interfaced with our CCTV cameras to identify VIP guests, manage peak times for high footfall in common areas, identify potential lost/unattended items and also to blacklist any potential guests who have misbehaved from returning again on another occasion.

Sustainable hospitality – Our sustainable journey actually started just before pandemic, but re-commenced in earnest during the summer of 2021. Sine then we have gone single-use plastic free, we produce our own in-house water for guest consumption, we have partnered with Grohe to offer a complimentary still/sparkling  water via a dispense unit in our office tower lobby. we partnered with The Waste Lab to re-cycle all of our food waste into compost to re-use in our landscaping areas and we partnered up with Neutral fuels who collect all of our used cooking oil and re-cycle into bio fuel.  All of these efforts led to successfully obtaining the Green Key certification in 2023, after successfully passing an exhaustive audit by the local Dubai authorities. Our Sustainable journey continues with our Sustainability committee meeting on a monthly basis to discuss and implement new sustainable initiatives into our daily lives.

Personalised, uncomplicated hospitality – Perhaps the most subjective part of our business, but a crucial one to execute and ‘get right’. One of our values at Media One Hotel is Personalised, and we pride ourselves on personalising and customising bespoke experiences depending on the needs, wants, requirements of the guest – we must see the world through their eyes!

Keeping it simple is key, and really taking on board exactly what the guest wants at a particular time is crucial. Over the last few years we have worked with software called Get My Message, which enables us to facilitate communication with the guest throughout their time with us. Feedback is a gift, and we work with Trustyou to encourage feedback from all guests and then to dissect this feedback into various categories that enable us to work on continuous improvement across departments that have direct and indirect touch points with the guest throughout their stay with us.

I must stress that the above strategies are implemented and executed not only to today’s modern traveller but also to the local community both business and residential. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of immersing Media One Hotel into the local community and to connect with the community across multi-channels.

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Hospitality

HOP INTO EASTER AT MCGETTIGAN’S WITH FAMILY ROASTS, EGG HUNTS AND CLASSIC SUNDAY FAVOURITES

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This Easter, McGettigan’s is bringing together hearty roasts, family-friendly activities, and laid-back celebrations across its venues in Dubai. From lively family days with quizzes and egg hunts to traditional Sunday roasts for a relaxed gathering, there is something for everyone this Easter Sunday.

Easter Family Roast & Quiz at McGettigan’s Ibn Battuta Gate

Expect a lively Easter Sunday packed with family-friendly entertainment, including a quiz and activities for all ages, alongside McGettigan’s signature roast. Younger guests can also enjoy an Easter egg hunt, adding to the festive atmosphere and making it a perfect day out for families.

  • Who – Families and groups
  • What – Easter Sunday Roast with family quiz, entertainment, and egg hunt
  • Where – McGettigan’s Ibn Battuta Gate

Easter Sunday Roast with Egg Hunt at Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Expo City

For a more relaxed Easter celebration, McGettigan’s at Souk Madinat Jumeirah and Expo City will host a laid-back family roast with a light touch of festive fun, including an Easter egg hunt for younger guests. Ideal for those looking to enjoy quality time with family in a more casual setting.

  • Who – Families and casual diners
  • What – Easter Sunday Roast with egg hunt
  • Where – McGettigan’s Souk Madinat Jumeirah and McGettigan’s Expo City

Traditional Easter Roast at McGettigan’s JLT and DWTC

For those who prefer to keep it classic, McGettigan’s JLT and DWTC will be serving up their traditional Easter Sunday roast, complete with all the hearty favourites and signature dishes the brand is known for. A perfect option for a relaxed gathering with friends or family.

  • Who – Friends, couples, and groups
  • What – Traditional Easter Sunday Roast
  • Where – McGettigan’s JLT and McGettigan’s DWTC
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Hospitality

CELEBRATE EASTER WITH A FAMILY-FRIENDLY BRUNCH AT LA PISCINE,AL RAHA BEACH RESORT & SPA

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Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa invites guests to celebrate Easter with a lively beachfront brunch at La Piscine. Taking place from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on April 5, the Easter Brunch brings together great food, feel-good music and a vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere by the sea.

Set against La Piscine’s relaxed poolside and beachfront backdrop, the afternoon’s culinary offering features an international buffet with live stations, brought to life with a DJ and saxophonist spinning upbeat sets throughout the day. For younger guests, the experience leans into the spirit of Easter with great kids’ activities, including egg hunting, glitter face painting, and a dedicated kids’ corner.

Guests can also make the most of the long afternoon with complimentary access to the resort’s pool and beach, along with a Spa voucher, making it more than just brunch, but a full day out in the sun.

Easter Brunch Details
Location: La Piscine, Al Raha Beach Resort & Spa, Abu Dhabi
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, April 5th

Kids Policy
Ages 5–12: 50% discount
Below 5: Complimentary

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Hospitality

THE IMPACT OF AI IN THE F&B INDUSTRY: LEADING RESTAURANT TECH COMPANY HELPS RESTAURANTS STAY AHEAD WITH ITS AI-POWERED TOOLS

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AI has been steadily transforming the F&B industry across production, distribution, food safety, supply chain and restaurant operations. Now as more restaurants are increasingly adopting AI-powered systems, these tools are becoming an active element in streamlining day-to-day operations, bringing a transformative shift within the industry. Supporting this shift is Foodics, a leading cloud-based restaurant operations and payment tech company in the MENA region through its AI-powered business intelligence solution, Foodics BI.

Numerous opportunities and challenges have been brought by AI across different sectors, particularly in the F&B and hospitality industry. Today, restaurateurs can leverage AI in various ways whether it’s improving overall operational efficiency, assisting customer-related services in front office, streamlining back-end operations, tackling food waste, forecasting demands and trends, enhancing guest journeys through personalized experiences, optimizing menus, improving marketing efforts, performance tracking and more.

By using AI, restaurant owners can operate their business with a data-driven approach. One of the significant advantages of AI-powered tools tailored for restaurants is its ability to analyze large volumes of real-time data, allowing restaurateurs to make sense of the information and transform it into insights that will help them make the right decisions. In an industry shaped by constantly evolving customer behaviour, rising operational costs, increased demand for efficiency, these tools are becoming more essential for restaurants looking to thrive and stay profitable.

At the forefront of this shift in the industry is Foodics. The Saudi-born restaurant operations and payment tech company is helping restaurateurs stay ahead in the industry by supporting them in navigating this evolving landscape through Foodics BI – their advanced AI-powered business intelligence tool that provides restaurants with real-time, data-driven insights for seamless restaurant operations and smarter decision making.

Over the past year, Foodics BI has been a gamechanger for restaurants in the region, enabling them to harness the power of their own business data to make smarter, faster and more strategic decisions that will drive operational efficiency, enhance guest experiences, increase profitability and unlock new revenue opportunities for growth.

Some of Foodics BI’s key features include revealing in-depth and real-time operational insights including sales performances and customers’ buying behaviour, AI-powered forecasting for smarter inventory planning to reduce food wastage, automated reporting and historical data analysis to identify seasonal changes and trends, all using predictive analytics. Additionally, Foodics BI enables seamless remote management, allowing operators to conveniently access and monitor restaurant data anytime and from any location.

By transforming data into meaningful and actionable insights, Foodics BI is empowering restaurants to operate efficiently, adapt to market changes and customer demands, and scale sustainably in a competitive industry.

Beyond restaurants, AI-powered systems are also transforming the wider F&B industry, such as supporting quality control and safety in food processing facilities by detecting defective and contaminated products, monitoring food production processes and ensuring product consistency, optimizing distribution routes throughout supply chains to reduce food spoilage, identifying functional ingredients, improving shelf-life predictions and more. 

AI-powered tools are undeniably reshaping the food and beverage industry by offering solutions that help businesses streamline their operations efficiently, bring accuracy and innovation. As AI technologies evolve, their integration will continue to redefine and shape the F&B landscape.  

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