Hospitality
Chic, cozy, and classy boutique accommodation
Exclusive interview with Houssam Mansour, General Manager, FORM Hotel
What is the concept behind Design Hotels? Who is FORM Hotel?
Design Hotels is a hand-picked collection of boutique and design-driven luxury hotels across the globe. FORM Hotel, a member of Marriott Bonvoy under the premium brand, boasts a remarkable portfolio of over 350 exquisitely designed hotels spanning the globe. More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an “Original,” someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design, and architecture.
What are the policies that you have put in place that have made a big difference? What are the achievements you are most proud of?
Within a short period of time, FORM Hotel has succeeded in positioning and increasing visibility as a leading 4-star boutique hotel within Marriott in the Al Jaddaf area. FORM hotel has been carefully crafted as a design hotel and conceptualized as a boutique hotel, we have been able to increase the number of guests and retain customer retention through direct bookings at a high percentage.
Who is the General Manager of FORM Hotel, and can you share some insights you’re your background and contributions to the hotel’s success?
I am a seasoned 48-year-old Lebanese hotelier with over 25 years of experience in the Middle East and Africa. I began my career at 21 as a management trainee at Forte Grand in Abu Dhabi, now known as Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi.
Over the past two and a half decades, I have worked in diverse regions, including Bahrain, Tunisia, the Maldives, Egypt, Turkey, and the UAE, with major international chains like Le Royal Meridien, Hilton Hotels, and Marriott.
Last month, I marked the third anniversary of my journey with FORM Hotel, which has been a pinnacle of my career. I am deeply grateful for the support of the owners, whose commitment and care have been crucial to our success. Together with an exceptional, handpicked team, we have positioned FORM Hotel as the premier choice for chic, cozy, and classy boutique accommodations in the area. It has become a preferred destination for both Marriott members and VIP visitors. Here’s to many more years of continued successand excellence.
Why will guests choose to stay at FORM Hotel?
FORM Hotel Dubai offers a sublimely designed, boutique experience with seamless check-in and personalized touches to your stay. Guests enjoy personal parking spaces with direct, private access to rooms while all guest rooms feature acoustically sensitive windows offering stunning views over the Culture Village and the Creek.
This seamlessness extends through the boutique property with a carefully curated design experience by Paris-based Architecture Studio that is paired with a sense of continuousness and openness.
A hop away from Dubai’s sights and sounds yet far enough to escape the bustle of urban life, guests can expect the best of two worlds at the property’s strategic location in Al Jaddaf.
How does Marriott Bonvoy’s affiliation and its focus on providing a premium brand experience within the luxury segment benefit its guests?
FORM Hotel, being part of Marriott Bonvoy under the premium brand, attracts many members throughout the year, particularly Elite Ambassadors and Elite Titanium members. These members earn 10 points for every $1 spent and enjoy numerous benefits, including late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and room upgrades. Additionally, we’ve observed that many Marriott Bonvoy members return to FORM Hotel for the personalized service, coziness, comfort, and enhanced privacy measures.
Can you tell us about the Al Jaddaf area?
Al Jaddaf is still in its development phase, with numerous upcoming projects and ambitious plans aimed at further enhancing the area. It boasts an impressive array of hotels and residential buildings, making it a vibrant and bustling hub for accommodation and housing. This cultural village is well-connected to tourist attractions and entertainment venues such as Festival City and Old Dubai. Architectural practice URB has unveiled its plans to develop the world’s largest Urban Tech District along the Al Jaddaf Creekside in Dubai. Al Jaddaf’s vision of sustainable practices with the project’s plans to use a host of ‘green’ programs and practices to achieve net-zero carbon goals.
The biggest development in the future of Al Jaddaf is the construction of UAE’s very first sustainable building and a fully solar-powered Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) headquarters. Located in Al Jaddaf, you’ll find the renowned Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital, the vibrant hub of visual arts at Al Jaddaf, and the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, the largest library in Dubai. Al Jaddaf, a vibrant location in Dubai, offers a rich blend of cultural attractions such as Dubai Culture Village, Zabeel Stadium, Dubai Creek, the Floating Bridge, Dhow Wharfage, and Al Jaddaf Waterfront Sculpture Park, along with a range of luxurious hotels and resorts.
Hospitality
TUTTOFOOD 2026 IS SET TO WELCOME OVER 100,000 VISITORS TO MILAN’S VIBRANT STAGE, MARKING NEW MILESTONES IN INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION
TUTTOFOOD, Southern Europe’s leading food business platform, taking place from 11 to 14 May 2026 in Milan, is set to deliver strong international growth in its 2026 edition. With 80% of exhibitors already confirmed, including a record-breaking 30% international presence, participation is expected to rise by 15–20% compared to the previous editions.
In 2025, the Exhibition established itself as a must-attend event on the European trade show calendar, attracting a significant presence of international TPOs and professional visitors from around the world. Top countries included United Arab Emirates, Spain, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, China, the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, and South Korea. The show welcomed 95,000 professional visitors from over 100 countries, with 3,000 international top buyers and 4,200 exhibiting companies from around 70 countries – nearly double the numbers from previous editions.
These outstanding data confirm the Exhibition’s role as a strategic hub connecting producers, distributors, and global markets.
The international outlook is reinforced by the partnership between Fiere di Parma, the host of the Exhibition, and Koelnmesse’s international network. This collaboration positions TUTTOFOOD within a broader trade ecosystem alternating with Anuga, and further enhances its internationalization and standing as a key global marketplace.
Antonio Cellie, CEO of Fiere di Parma said: “The strong results already achieved by the second edition of TUTTOFOOD reflect the energy and international appeal of Milan, a city that embodies innovation and connection. They show the power of strategic, system-wide collaborations. Alongside our key partnership with ITA – Italian Trade Agency, whose programs attract top global agrifood buyers, one of the Exhibition’s greatest strengths is the collaboration between Fiere di Parma and Koelnmesse, the organizer of Anuga in Cologne, held in alternate years to TUTTOFOOD.”
Cellie continued: “This alternating schedule will soon become a key reference point for global food business leaders, creating a unique model within the international trade fair landscape — a strategic platform linking Milan and Cologne, two European cities with deep trade fair traditions and a shared spirit of innovation. Together with Cibus, which in Parma during odd-numbered years celebrates Made in Italy and the excellence of Geographical Indication products, they form a truly global food galaxy.”
Six months ahead of the event, early confirmations from 34 countries further highlight the Exhibition’s international appeal and the strong business opportunities available across its pavilions.
In 2026, following the success of the 2025 edition held at Chic Nonna restaurant, TUTTOFOOD will once again host an exclusive networking event during the days of Gulfood. The event will take place in a central and prestigious location, offering a unique opportunity to connect with key players from across the global food industry.
Buyers Program
TUTTOFOOD 2026 will feature an exceptionally rich Buyers Program organized in cooperation with ITA – Italian Trade Agency, bringing together more than 3,000 top national and international professionals, carefully selected to ensure high-value business matching opportunities. The program will involve leading Italian retail chains, supermarkets, cash & carry operators, discount stores, organized distribution groups, and commercial catering professionals, representing all the key players across the food distribution chain.
Internationally, qualified buyers will arrive from across Europe, Middle East, North and South America, the ASEAN area, China, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, with further top-level participation expected from Oceania, South Africa, and Central Asia.
A special emphasis in 2026 will be placed on the foodservice sector, engaging key decision-makers from restaurant chains and hotels. The enhanced focus on the on-board catering area will further expand opportunities for networking and cross-sector dialogue, confirming TUTTOFOOD as a leading global platform for the food industry.
A New, More Accessible Exhibition Layout
TUTTOFOOD 2026 will feature a more compact and visitor-friendly layout, designed to enhance navigation and product discovery. Italian and international exhibitors will be showcased side by side across 90.000 sqm of net exhibition space – 15% more than in 2025 – spread across 10 pavilions. This designfosters cross-market engagement and makes it easier for buyers to explore the full spectrum of the food offering.
Two multi-level pavilions will host the packaged food hub, with product distribution carefully organized to create an immersive visitor experience.
The packaged food hub will extend across multiple interconnected pavilions, offering a comprehensive journey through every segment of the food industry. From dairy and deli products to frozen foods, seafood, and proteins, the exhibition will present a wide variety of categories, with grocery playing a central role across several pavilions.
The upcoming edition will shine a spotlight on emerging, largely unexplored agri-food business segments, driving global consumer trends closely tracked by TUTTOFOOD.
Key pavilion highlights will include a dedicated Beverage section featuring the fifth edition of Mixology Experience — an area within the pavilion where the concept of Beverage Pairing serves as the common thread linking the project to TUTTOFOOD — along with spaces dedicated to innovation in the fresh and processed fruit and vegetable sector.
The revamped Tutto Fruit & Veg area will bring together categories and trends from around the world, including fourth and fifth range products, exotic produce, berries, and processed products, with the participation of highly qualified professional visitors from the fruit & vegetables industry.
Among the key new highlights of the 2026 edition of TUTTOFOOD is the launch of a dedicated special area focused on the organic segment, which is experiencing strong growth across major distribution channel. The special area is called TuttoBio by Natexpo and is conceived as an international organic pavilion gathering certified organic production from Europe and beyond. TuttoBio is designed to bring together supply-chain stories, innovation, and professional networking to the show. The project stems from an international cooperation between Fiere di Parma and SPAS, the organizer of Natexpo, the leading global trade show for organic products based in France.
The experience will be completed by thematic spaces devoted to bakery and snacks, confectionery and coffee, celebrating the diversity and excellence of packaged food from around the world.
This new configuration will streamline visitor orientation and enhance the overall experience of product discovery.
Hospitality
RISING ABOVE THE ORDINARY: SKYDIVE DUBAI CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
For 15 years, Skydive Dubai has transformed Dubai’s skies into a global stage for adventure, innovation and world-class skydiving. Today, millions around the world associate Dubai’s skyline not only with its architectural icons, but also with the unmistakable sight of parachutes floating over the Palm Jumeirah and the desert horizon, a scene that has attracted thrill-seekers from more than 100 countries.
Since its inception, Skydive Dubai has completed upwards of 475,000 tandem skydives, welcomed over 100 celebrities and VIPs, and marked 300 plus sky-high proposals. Today, a team of 95 expert instructors from 35 countries continue to build on that legacy every day, contributing to one of the world’s most iconic skydiving operations.
Beyond tandem skydives, Skydive Dubai is also a hub for professional skydivers and recreational jumpers from around the world. Its Desert Campus serves as a dedicated training centre and launchpad for solo-skydiver progression, including learning how to skydive through the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) course. Here, new students train alongside seasoned athletes, touring national teams and visiting professionals, forming a vibrant community built on skill, mentorship and a shared passion for the sport.
This pioneering spirit mirrors Dubai’s own narrative of turning ambition into possibility. Over the years, Skydive Dubai has been at the forefront of major aerial showcases, from international parachuting championships and swoop leagues to record-setting formations and technical jumps involving balloons, wingsuits, helipads and landmark buildings. It has also collaborated with beyond 200 global brands on bespoke projects, brought to life by expert instructors, pilots and operations teams. These defining moments have strengthened Dubai’s standing as a global centre for innovative aerial pursuits and continue to draw international audiences and adventure travellers. This leadership is further demonstrated by Skydive Dubai’s long-standing collaborations with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism on high-visibility projects.
“Marking 15 years is a significant milestone for us, reflecting our journey in helping dreams quite literally take flight. Across the Palm Dropzone, the Desert Campus and our wider ecosystem, we have seen how Skydive Dubai contributes to Dubai’s reputation for distinctive, world-class experiences. The legacy of rising above the ordinary is evident in every skydive and every project, each one raising the bar even higher. Our commitment to safety, disciplined operations and continuous innovation remains central to how we welcome people into the sport and support Dubai’s standing as a leading destination for adventure and aerial pursuits,” said Mohammad Javad, Executive Vice President of Leisure at Shamal Holding.
A fitting expression of that commitment is seen in Skydive Dubai’s most recent collaboration with Dubai Shopping Festival, where a female skydiver suspended 1,000 feet above Dubai completed a BASE jump onto Kite Beach. The world-first stunt, performed from a powered airship over an urban skyline, saw her travel past major landmarks on a minimalist wooden swing built specifically for the challenge. She spent six hours suspended beneath the airship, with routes that included six km over water and the longest stretch covering 14 km from Nad Al Sheba to Kite Beach. The feat adds to Skydive Dubai’s archive of technical, visually striking projects that have become closely associated with the city.
Skydive Dubai’s wider ecosystem includes Inflight Dubai, one of the region’s indoor skydiving facilities where both first-time flyers and seasoned athletes practice and refine body-flight skills. It also includes Gyrocopter by Skydive Dubai, offering guests a unique scenic flights over Dubai’s coastline in two-seater aircraft piloted by certified experts.
Skydive Dubai has set industry benchmarks for safety, expertise and operational excellence, elevating the profile and professionalism of the sport. It contributes to play a distinctive role in Dubai’s adventure landscape, welcoming residents and visitors eager to experience the emirate from a different perspective.
Today, it remains one of the world’s most sought-after skydiving destinations, celebrated by seasoned athletes and first-time jumpers alike, a testament to 15 years of rising above the ordinary.
Hospitality
DIVE INTO DUBAI’S FRESHEST SEAFOOD FESTIVAL AT THE WATERFRONT MARKET
This winter, Dubai’s largest food market, the Waterfront Market, invites residents and tourists to immerse themselves in the flavours of the sea at its Seafood Festival, taking place from 10 December 2025 to 7 January 2026.
Known for its exceptional variety and unbeatable freshness, the Market comes alive with a packed month of culinary offers, live entertainment, seasonal décor and exciting giveaways. Highlights include:
- During the Seafood Festival, enjoy exclusive offers from all Waterfront Restaurants, including Paluto Restaurant, BOAT Seafood Restaurant, Yahya Seafood Restaurant and Aylla Seafood Restaurant and Cafe
- Roaming entertainment every weekend, Friday to Sunday, featuring Live roaming music, bubble shows and face painting.
- A vibrant Festive Tree crafted with a seafood theme, bringing a unique seasonal centrepiece to the Market.
- Spend AED 200 or more at the fish market or Waterfront restaurants and receive a complimentary insulated cooler bag perfect for beach days, picnics or weekend getaways and enter the draw to win prizes worth up to AED 5,000 for five winners, each receiving AED 1,000 in Waterfront Market fresh produce.
- Kids can enjoy a fun and educational experience with the Kids Foodie Explorers Passport and Little Rollers trolleys, collecting stamps, discovering new ingredients and receiving a certificate and small prizes along the way.
With over 500 seafood traders offering 260+ varieties from 14 countries, and a live seafood section with 25 varieties sourced from the UAE, Australia, Japan, Korea and Canada, the Market is known for its unmatched freshness, quality and variety. This season’s highlights include Hamour, shrimp, King Fish, Tuna, King Mackerel and Seabream, alongside a wide selection of other fresh catches.
For an even more hands-on experience, the Market-to-Table journey allows customers to select seafood directly from the fish market, have it cleaned onsite, and enjoy it freshly prepared by chefs at the waterfront restaurants – grilled, fried, steamed or crafted into rich curries and soups. From unbeatable seafood and vibrant family fun to scenic waterfront moments, the festival offers a celebration that is fresh, festive and full of flavour.
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