Hospitality

Latest Stat and Trends for Restaurants’ Loyalty Programs in the UAE and KSA

Published

2 years ago

November 8, 2024

By Naji Haddad, VP – EMEA at Deliverect

In the competitive restaurant landscape of the UAE & KSA, leveraging loyalty programs can significantly boost customer spending, enhance retention, and drive growth. This article explores key strategies and the latest trends in loyalty programs tailored for the customers in the two countries.

The importance of Loyalty Programs

As the restaurant market flourishes, loyalty programs have become essential for building a dedicated customer base. These programs reward guests for returning and staying engaged with your brand, ultimately generating more revenue. The evolution from simple analog rewards to sophisticated, tech-driven systems mirrors the rapid development in consumer expectations in this region.

Historically, loyalty programs were basic, today they use technology and data analytics to deliver personalized and engaging experiences. In the restaurant industry, common loyalty program features include point-based systems, discounts, free items, and exclusive offers tailored to local tastes.

For instance, many popular UAE restaurants and cafes, like Açaí Spot’s loyalty program, enhance the dining experience by fostering community and rewarding repeat visits. Customers appreciate the straightforward 10% cash back on all purchases, which encourages regular patronage and makes them feel valued.

Additionally, loyalty members receive early access to new menu items, creating excitement around fresh offerings. To promote the program, the brand leverages in-store promotions, social media, and staff education to highlight its benefits effectively.

Recent research indicates that the loyalty market in Saudi Arabia has experienced a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6% from 2019 to 2023. Looking ahead, the market is poised for continued expansion, with a projected CAGR of 8.5% from 2024 to 2028. This growth is expected to elevate the market’s value from approximately US$1.04 billion in 2023 to an impressive US$1.59 billion by 2028.

Key Statistics on Restaurant Loyalty Programs

Adoption Rates

The popularity of loyalty programs has surged in the region over the past decade, especially post-pandemic, as restaurants seek ways to re-engage with their customer base and drive sales. Recent trends show that restaurants in both countries are increasingly recognizing the advantages of these programs for customer retention and repeat business, which is part of a broader trend towards customer-centricity.

Customer Participation

Participation rates in loyalty programs are high across demographics in the region, especially among millennials. In 2021 alone, 54.7% of millennials were active in restaurant loyalty programs, making them the largest user group. Millennials (24-39) are known for being digitally savvy and wanting personalized experiences, and they see huge value in their tailored rewards and offers. According to YouGov data, 27% of UAE consumers are loyalty program enthusiasts.

Impact on Revenue

Data shows that with each monetary transaction, users maximize their point earnings. Additionally, loyalty programs have a measurable impact on restaurant revenue.

On average, loyalty program members generate 12-18% more incremental revenue growth annually than non-members. These stats prove these programs work not only to attract and retain key customer segments but can also increase the amount of dollars spent on your business’s menu items.

These financial benefits show the importance of effective loyalty programs to drive growth and stay competitive in the restaurant industry. However, it is essential to explore the emerging trends shaping restaurant loyalty programs today to understand how these programs continue to evolve and adapt and how restaurants can fully take advantage of their benefits.

Trends Shaping Restaurant Loyalty Programs

Personalization and Customization

Personalization is a game-changer in the restaurant industry. Using data analytics, restaurants in the UAE can track customer behavior and preferences to offer targeted rewards.

For example: Açaí Spot’s loyalty program leverages customer data to tailor rewards and promotions, ensuring they resonate with individual preferences.

Personalized reward programs and offers are key to attracting and keeping customers. This curated approach enhances the customer experience, builds a stronger emotional connection with the brand and attracts repeat business and loyalty.

Technology Integration

Technology integration has revolutionized customer engagement with loyalty programs. The rise of mobile apps and digital platforms has simplified access and interaction, empowering customers to effortlessly track their rewards and receive tailored offers. These platforms facilitate a more convenient and streamlined connection with brands, enhancing the overall experience. Restaurants in both countries are increasingly embracing personalized, technology-driven solutions while exploring cashback options to deepen customer engagement.

The introduction of innovative programs by leading players underscores a competitive landscape dedicated to delivering exceptional value to consumers.

However, a seamless experience across multiple channels is also key to modern loyalty programs. Restaurants are now focusing on integrating online, mobile, and in-store interactions to create a cohesive customer experience.

For example, QR code scanning at checkout to accumulate points enhances customer interaction and satisfaction. This integration is crucial for restaurants in the UAE & KSA, where tech-savvy consumers expect such experiences.

Future Directions of Loyalty Programs

As loyalty programs evolve, two main trends are shaping their future. On one hand, AI and machine learning will transform loyalty programs by delivering super personal experiences. On the other hand, sustainability and social responsibility are becoming increasingly important as consumers value ethical practices more and more.

AI and Machine Learning

These technologies allow restaurants to analyze customer data more effectively, predicting preferences so restaurants can reward and communicate with guests more precisely.

AI-driven micro-segmentation, which enhances targeting and effectiveness beyond generic offers, helps draw consumers in and increase the number of dollars spent.

Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Establishments should aim to match customer values. Some examples are discounts for using reusable containers or eco-conscious packaging. These businesses also align their loyalty programs with broader corporate social responsibility goals.

The future of restaurant loyalty programs is combining AI-driven personalization with a focus on sustainability and social responsibility. Together, these trends set the new standard for how loyalty programs can drive customer satisfaction and long-term business success.

As restaurants use technology to become more precise with their menu items and loyalty programs, they improve the customer experience and build a deeper connection with their audience. By aligning their loyalty programs with ethical practices and broader social goals, they will resonate more with the values of today’s consumers.

Conclusion

The increasing implementation of loyalty programs highlight their necessity for driving customer retention and revenue growth. As these programs become more tech-driven and socially responsible, restaurants that embrace innovation and mirror their customers’ values will stand out in a competitive market.

These programs increase customer satisfaction, spending, and repeat visits by rewarding frequent customers with points, discounts, and exclusive offers. Businesses that understand this will build deeper customer loyalty, helping them stand out in a crowded market and remain relevant for years to come.

All these future trends will shape the landscape of loyalty programs, and restaurants that get ahead of the curve and innovate will win customers’ loyalty, while enjoying long-term growth and maintaining a competitive edge in the restaurant industry.

Hospitality

GAME ON: THE CROFT LAUNCHES LIVE SPORTS EXPERIENCE WITH AED 17 DRINKS TO CELEBRATE 17 YEARS

Published

9 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites is turning up the action at The Croft, introducing a new live sports experience designed for fans who want to watch the game properly with great screens, great atmosphere, and even better deals.

Set in the heart of Dubai Marina, The Croft now shows a packed calendar of live sport across football, rugby, Formula 1, tennis, and every UEFA Champions League fixture. Six indoor screens ensure you’re never far from the action, whether it’s a midweek match or a full weekend line-up.

From Real Madrid and FC Barcelona to Manchester United, Liverpool FC and Arsenal, the world’s biggest clubs take center stage, shown live in a setting that’s lively, social, and effortlessly relaxed.

To mark the hotel’s 17th anniversary, drinks start from just AED 17, adding a celebratory edge to every matchday and making it even easier to settle in for the long haul.

At its core, The Croft keeps things simple: good food, cold drinks, and a proper place to watch the game. British-inspired favorites and classic pub bites round out the experience, making it just as suited to a casual evening as it is to a big match with friends.

THE CROFT – LIVE SPORTS EXPERIENCE

Where the game comes first.

A new go-to for live sport in Dubai Marina, The Croft brings together a full calendar of matches, six indoor screens, and a laid-back, social atmosphere that keeps the focus where it should be: on the game.

With drinks from AED 17 as part of the hotel’s anniversary celebrations, it’s a space designed for fans to settle in, stay awhile, and catch every moment.

WHERE: The Croft, Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites, Dubai Marina
WHEN: Ongoing PRICE: Drinks starting from AED 17

Opening Hours:

Tuesday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM (Dinner)
Sunday: 12:30 PM – 1:00 AM (Lunch & Dinner)
Monday: Closed

For more information or to book, visit instagram.com/croftdubai or call 04 319 4000

Hospitality

SHANGHAI ME MARKS WORLD COCKTAIL DAY WITH THE ALCHEMY,

Published

9 hours ago

June 2, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

A NEW COCKTAIL COLLECTION

Shanghai Me, the acclaimed Pan-Asian dining destination at the heart of DIFC, is marking World Cocktail Day with the launch of The Alchemy, a new cocktail collection built not around flavour profiles, but around something far more elemental.

Drawing on the five elements of Chinese philosophy, Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, the menu takes its cue from the cyclical logic of the Chinese zodiac, in which each element aligns with its corresponding animal sign only once every sixty years. It is this rare convergence of character and energy that forms the conceptual foundation of the collection, with each cocktail functioning as an interpretation of a specific elemental force.

The result is a menu of considerable range. Some drinks are immediate and bold; others open slowly, revealing texture and progression across each sip. Fire manifests as intensity; Water as something fluid and instinctive; Earth as depth and weight; Metal as cool precision; Wood as forward momentum. Rather than using the zodiac as aesthetic decoration, the collection treats it as a structural framework, with each drink carrying a personality shaped by both its animal sign and its elemental character.

In its approach, The Alchemy reflects the culinary philosophy that has defined Shanghai Me since its Dubai opening, the blending of refined Japanese technique with the bolder flavours of Chinese cuisine, reinterpreted rather than preserved. The collection is helmed by the restaurant’s bar team and developed in keeping with the broader vision of chef-preneur Izu Ani and restaurateur Evgeny Kuzin under Fundamental Hospitality.

The Alchemy launches today, the 13th May, and will be available at Shanghai Me Dubai from that evening.

This is separate from skydive, Tuttofood and others. this is a new press release edit. give me an SEO title (7 words) and meta description (14 words) for this piece. please note my main keyword is Shanghai Me

Hospitality

SUN SIYAM PASIKUDAH LAUNCHES THE ONLY FLOATING OCEAN DINING PLATFORM ON THE WATERS OF PASIKUDAH BAY

Published

1 day ago

June 1, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Sun Siyam Pasikudah, part of the Privé Collection under Maldivian-owned Sun Siyam Resorts, has officially launched its floating dining platform on the open waters of Pasikudah Bay, the Aqua Lounge. It is the only floating ocean dining platform on the bay, the only solar-powered floating dining platform on Sri Lanka’s east coast, and the only floating fine-dining experience on the open Indian Ocean in eastern Sri Lanka — a meaningful distinction from the lake and river venues that exist elsewhere on the island. There is nothing else like it on this coastline.

The platform spans 400 square feet and is reached by catamaran directly from the resort’s shore. It is built from sustainable timber and recyclable barrels, and runs entirely on solar energy. Both choices reflect the resort’s wider commitments under Sun Siyam Cares, the sustainability programme covering renewable energy, ocean conservation, waste management, and community engagement across all Sun Siyam properties.

What makes the platform stand out is not just where it sits but the thinking behind it. The structure uses sustainable timber and recyclable barrels, runs on solar energy, and reclaimed greywater principles guide the resort’s wider operations on land. The floating platform is a natural extension of that philosophy, applied, quite literally, to the ocean the resort is working to protect.

The dining experience centres on a seven-course menu drawing on the freshness and flavours of the eastern coast. Evenings begin with sunset refreshments as the light shifts over the bay, and the platform stays open through the night for guests who want to linger over a meal with the sound of the water beneath them. For those who want something quieter, a breakfast on the platform is available on request, a more private way to begin the day out on the water.

Beyond the guest experience, the platform carries a genuine community purpose that the team considers just as important. School children from nearby villages are brought out to the platform regularly as part of the resort’s CSR programme, not as a sightseeing trip, but as a hands-on conversation about the bay they have grown up beside, the coral reef beneath it, and what it means to look after both. It is one of the ways Sun Siyam Pasikudah extends its values beyond its own grounds.

“Pasikudah Bay is extraordinary, the curve of it, the shallow water, the way the evening light falls across it,” said Arshed Refai, General Manager of Sun Siyam Pasikudah. “We wanted to put guests right at the centre of that. Not looking at the ocean from the shore, but actually sitting on it. And the menu tells the story of this coast, the ingredients, the fishermen who supply us, the techniques that belong here. That is the east coast experience we want people to leave with.”

Sun Siyam Pasikudah offers 34 contemporary pavilions set along one of Sri Lanka’s most pristine and unspoiled stretches of coastline. The resort has long embedded sustainability into its daily operations, from solar and LED lighting and water conservation to a waste management approach built around reduction, recycling, and composting. As part of the Privé Collection, the boutique tier of The House of Siyam, it is designed for travellers who want to be somewhere specific, not just somewhere beautiful. The floating platform is the latest expression of that: a dining experience that could only exist here, on this bay, on this particular stretch of the Indian Ocean.

Guests can also take advantage of the Summer Offer at Sun Siyam Pasikudah, available for stays until 31 October 2027. The offer includes exclusive savings on room upgrades, dining, and spa treatments, along with added touches such as a complimentary spa experience, kayaking session, and daily bicycle use, all designed to enhance a relaxed and immersive escape on Sri Lanka’s untouched east coast. For reservations and enquiries, guests can reach the resort on +94 65 205 5555 or +94 70 242 4263, or visit www.sunsiyam.com/sun-siyam-pasikudah.