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Hospitality

Shifting the focus from brick-and-mortar to service-driven hospitality

Published

2 years ago

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hotel hospitality

Anand’s journey from a seasoned hotelier within the corporate world to the founder and CEO of LEVA Hotels is a testament to determination, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in hospitality. With over two decades of experience working for some of the world’s largest hotel chains, Anand gained invaluable insights into the industry’s intricacies and the evolving needs of travelers.

After spending more than two decades immersed in the hospitality industry, Anand began to notice a significant gap between the offerings of traditional hotel chains and the changing desires of modern travelers. Guests were no longer satisfied with cookie-cutter experiences; they craved authenticity, personalized service, and a deeper connection to the destinations they visited. Recognizing this shift in consumer behavior, Anand saw an opportunity to create a new kind of hotel experience—one that would prioritize meaningful interactions, local immersion, and genuine hospitality.

Thus, the idea for LEVA Hotels was born. Anand envisioned a brand that would cater to the needs of discerning travelers who sought more than just a place to stay—they wanted a personalised experience that would leave a lasting impression. LEVA positioned itself within the 3 and 4-star segment, offering a unique blend of comfort, style, and affordability. Unlike traditional hotel chains that focused solely on standardization and consistency, LEVA aimed to create properties that felt distinct, authentic, and welcoming.

But building a brand from scratch in a fiercely competitive market was akin to navigating a maze with blindfolds with securing funding, the lifeblood of any startup venture, proved to be one of the most daunting challenges. Anand found himself knocking on countless doors, pitching his vision to skeptical investors who were hesitant to bet on an unknown entrepreneur in an unfamiliar market.

Despite facing multiple rejections, Anand refused to succumb to despair. His unwavering belief in his vision and his relentless determination propelled him forward, driving him to explore every possible avenue to bring his dream to life. When traditional sources of funding dried up, Anand made the difficult decision to tap into his personal savings, a move that underscored his commitment to the cause.

With an initial investment of AED 10,000 and a strategic partnership with Ahmed Khalaf Ahmed Khalaf Al Otaiba from Siraj Holdings, along with the involvement of Co-Founder, Noni, Anand was able to kickstart operations and lay the groundwork for future growth. This modest funding, while meager in comparison to the monumental task at hand, served as a lifeline for LEVA Hotels in its infancy, providing the necessary resources to overcome initial hurdles and establish a foothold in the competitive hospitality market.

LEVA underwent a comprehensive branding exercise to refine its identity and positioning in the market. Collaborating with a renowned branding firm, Anand and his team worked tirelessly to craft a brand story that would resonate with their target audience. The result was a brand that stood out for its emphasis on art, design, technology, and human capital—a brand that promised a fresh perspective on hospitality and travel.

While starting the brand may have been a success, maintaining its momentum required a team of dedicated individuals committed to excellence. Central to LEVA’s success is its “People First, World Focused” philosophy, spearheaded by Anand himself. Recognizing that exceptional guest experiences are rooted in a motivated and skilled workforce, Anand prioritized employee well-being and career development. Through training programs, mentorship opportunities, and pathways for advancement, he cultivated a culture of excellence and innovation at LEVA, where every team member felt valued and empowered.

Looking ahead, Anand’s vision for LEVA Hotels is one of continued growth and expansion. In just five years, LEVA has grown to 10 hotels in key cities across the globe, including Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, and Ethiopia. Anticipating further growth, Anand has set his sights on entering new markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. By staying true to its core values of authenticity, innovation, and guest-centricity, LEVA is poised to redefine the hospitality landscape and set new standards for excellence in the industry.

Anand’s journey from a corporate hotelier to an entrepreneurial trailblazer is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and a commitment to putting people first. By daring to dream big and refusing to settle for the status quo, Anand has not only built a successful business but has also created a brand that is redefining the future of hospitality—one unforgettable experience at a time.

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Hospitality

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

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2 days ago

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April 1, 2026

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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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2 days ago

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April 1, 2026

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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

Published

3 days ago

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March 31, 2026

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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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