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

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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

Qatar Airways Unveils Onboard Signature Music Created in Partnership with Award-Winning Composer Hans Zimmer

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Qatar Airways today unveiled its new onboard signature music, created in partnership with world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer.

Inspired by Qatar and its culture, Qatar Airways’ new onboard music brings a distinctive sound identity to the passenger experience through its collaboration with the iconic composition of Hans Zimmer. The music is also featured on the ‘Burgundy Symphony’ album, a bespoke five-track album that encapsulates the airline’s wider sound identity and signature sound elements.

The collaboration brings together Zimmer’s acclaimed cinematic storytelling and Qatar Airways’ commitment to delivering memorable experiences, creating a recognisable sound that reflects the emotions, moments and memories that define travel.

The launch was celebrated at Hans Zimmer’s highly-anticipated concert in Doha on 6 November, where audiences were given an exclusive first look at the story behind the collaboration through a specially created film on the creative process and inspiration behind Burgundy Symphony, alongside a preview of the music. Qatar Airways passengers can experience the new composition onboard from today.

The Burgundy Symphony album captures the rhythm of travel through five original tracks, each reflecting a different stage of the journey:

Dawn opens the collection with a sense of anticipation and possibility experienced when stepping beyond the daily routine and discovering new horizons.

Dusk reflects the tranquillity of flight as daylight fades and travellers are carried above the clouds beneath a sky illuminated by stars.

The Orchard introduces a restorative pause, inspired by moments of calm and reflection amidst the pace of everyday life. The inspiration for the composition is drawn from the sense of escape offered by the ORCHARD – one of Hamad International Airport’s most distinctive passenger experiences.

Homecoming reflects the quiet gift of returning home and the small but lasting ways travel enriches life. The track encapsulates the adventure continues beyond touchdown, with memories of places and skies keeping moments of wonder alive long after the journey ends.

An Ode to Qatar, concludes the album with a tribute to the nation’s rich heritage and forward-looking vision. The piece brings together a sense of history, culture, and ambition, reflecting a country where tradition and progress exist in harmony.

Following the unveiling, Burgundy Symphony is now available on the Qatar Airways YouTube channel, inviting audiences around the world to experience Hans Zimmer’s original compositions inspired by the journey of travel and the spirit of Qatar Airways.

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Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Wins Sustain Sharjah Award for Second Year Running

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Coral Beach Resort Sharjah has won the Sustain Sharjah award for Hotel Properties at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2026, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). This marks the resort’s second consecutive recognition under the initiative.

The accolade acknowledges the property’s progress at Level 2 of the programme’s Explorers journey, structured around four core pillars: Guest, Experience, Local, and Story. Across each pillar, the resort has prioritised measurable, practical measures that engage guests, support the surrounding community, and ensure transparent sustainability reporting.

Central to this achievement are three primary operational initiatives:

  • Onsite water bottling plant: Replaces single-use plastics with reusable glass bottles, eliminating approximately 300,672 plastic bottles annually.
  • Winnow AI food-waste system: Weighs and monitors kitchen waste in real time, enabling culinary teams to curb excess directly at source.
  • Onsite biodigester: Installed in 2026, making the property the first hotel in Sharjah to process organic waste entirely on site.

Commenting on the achievement, Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, said: “Securing the Sustain Sharjah award for the second consecutive year is an honour for our entire team. Initiatives such as our water bottling plant, AI-driven waste monitoring, and onsite biodigester reflect our daily operational commitment—one shared with our guests, partners, and the local community. We thank the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority for this recognition and for their steady leadership in advancing sustainable tourism across the emirate.”

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah is a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and continues to align its operations with broader international climate targets.

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Hospitality

Qatar Airways Connects Doha to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia with First Flight

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Qatar Airways has inaugurated its new twice-weekly service connecting Doha with Caracas and Bogotá. The service represents a significant milestone for the airline, as Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate nonstop services from the Middle East to both Bogotá and Caracas. The new route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening global connectivity for the region and is operated on Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.

Qatar Airways flights to Caracas (CCS) and Bogotá (BOG)

Qatar Airways’ flight schedule has been designed to provide smooth onward connections through Hamad International Airport to key markets including Australia, China, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. This offers passengers greater flexibility and seamless transfer options across Qatar Airways’ global network of over 170 destinations.

Departing every Wednesday and Sunday:

Doha (DOH) to Bogotá (BOG) – Flight QR783: Departure 07:35; Arrival 16:25

Bogotá (BOG) to Caracas (CCS) – Flight QR783: Departure 17:55; Arrival 21:00

Caracas (CCS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR783: Departure 23:30; Arrival 20:35

The addition of Caracas and Bogotá marks the 16th and 17th destinations in the Americas served by Qatar Airways. The airline began serving South America in 2010 with its inaugural flight to Brazil’s São Paulo.

The airline has recently expanded its partnership with LATAM to include LATAM Airlines Colombia, offering travellers greater access to the region. Qatar Airways will place its code on LATAM-operated flights between Bogotá and key domestic destinations including Cartagena, Armenia, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Leticia, Medellín, Montería, Neiva, Pereira, Pasto, Riohacha, San Andrés Island, Santa Marta, and Yopal.

Qatar Airways continues to strengthen global connectivity, serving more than 170 destinations this winter. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile app.

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