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MAG Group Holding Appointed as Lead Developer for Marsa Zayed Beachfront Development by AD Ports Group

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Marsa Zayed

MAG Group Holding has been selected as lead developer to realise the first phase of Marsa Zayed, a major beachfront resort and residential community planned on the Red Sea in Aqaba, Jordan.

Marsa Zayed is a transformational project to turn a 320-hectare (3.2 million m2) section of Red Sea beachfront into a tourism and business hub and a southern gateway to Jordan’s principle attractions, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Petra and the Wadi Rum Protected Area.

MAG Group Holding was selected as the lead developer of Marsa Zayed by AD Ports Group, the integrated trade, transport and logistics group based in Abu Dhabi that is the land owner for the project. AD Ports Group developed and is operating the Aqaba Cruise Terminal, which opened in January 2023, under an agreement signed with and Jordanian state-run Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) in 2021.

Marsa Zayed is a beachside real estate project collaboration strongly backed by the UAE and Jordanian governments to bolster the Jordanian coastal city’s position as a regional tourism centre and a gateway for travellers visiting the Red Sea.

MAG Holding will attract investors and oversee the development of Phase 1 of Marsa Zayed, which will span 1.2 km of Red Sea beachfront, and include Zayed Riviera, which will house four residential towers, a Marina with around 1,260 residential and 117 retail units, a hotel and hotel apartment with a beach club, an Old Souq marketplace with 50 retail shops, restoration of iconic Aqaba ’Minerat, and a yacht club and marina, as well as a visitors’ centre.

At the project initiation ceremony in Aqaba, AD Ports Group and MAG Group launched an international campaign to promote the first phase of Marsa Zayed, which the organisers expect will be one of the Middle East’s most exciting tourist destinations.

Adding pace to its strategic plan to enhance maritime and tourism in Aqaba, AD Ports Group signed in January 2024 a shareholders’ agreement between its digital arm, Maqta Technologies, and Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) for their existing joint venture company, Maqta Ayla. The joint venture will revolutionise Aqaba’s port operations by implementing a Port Community System (PCS) that leverages Maqta Gateway’s expertise, marking the first-ever export of Abu Dhabi’s port digitalisation solution.

An active investor in the Red Sea region, AD Ports Group has also signed long-term concessions to develop and operate cruise terminals at the Red Sea ports of Safaga, Hurghada, Al Sokhna, and Sharm El-Sheikh, and to build and operate a multipurpose port in Safaga and a Ro-Ro terminal in Al Sokhna.

Moafaq Ahmed Al Gaddah, Chairman and Founder of MAG Group Holding, said: “We are excited to be part of what I consider to be one of the most exciting real estate development projects in the Red Sea region, one that not only will transform the economic potential of Jordan’s maritime resources, but lead to a vibrant coastal ecosystem that stimulates economic growth across this part of the Middle East. We deliver our award-winning services to local and international customers in such a way that they most importantly benefit our customers and the communities in which we operate.”

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: “Today’s ceremony is a significant step in our strategic plan to support the Government of Jordan in developing Aqaba into a premier world-class destination for tourism and economic development. This first phase of Marsa Zayed will enable AD Ports Group to deliver on our wise leadership’s vision to add economic value to this lively region. We are grateful for the support and assistance of our valued partner, ADC, and to our valued real estate development partner MAG Holding, for this collaborative effort to advance the growth of Aqaba.’’

Hospitality

The Square at Nad Al Sheba Gardens Returns for Season Two with More to Experience, Discover, and Enjoy.

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A wide angle shot of The Square by Nad Al Sheba

After captivating over 680,000 visitors in its first season, The Square at Nad Al Sheba Gardens reopens at the end of October, ushering in a new season of elevated experiences. The destination by Shamal Holding will celebrate its official inaugural evening on 31st October 2025, welcoming guests daily from 4 PM to 12 AM. The Square continues to evolve as a refined hub for gastronomy, culture, and connection, a destination that blends Dubai’s cosmopolitan energy with an inviting community spirit.

Launched in November 2024, The Square at Nad Al Sheba Gardens quickly became a go-to lifestyle destination, renowned for its homegrown dining concepts and vibrant social energy. Building on this success, Season Two will introduce an enriched line-up of elevated experiences, thoughtfully designed for Dubai’s outdoor season.

The destination’s creative theme celebrates the idea of more, not in scale but in quality, detail, and experience.

The Square reflects one of the most exciting shifts in how people experience Dubai, a destination that celebrates the city’s dynamic spirit through its culture, cuisine, and community,” said Abdulla Binhabtoor, CEO at Shamal. “It’s more than a venue; it’s a destination that reflects Dubai’s modern and connected spirit. With Season Two, we are taking that experience further, transforming The Square from a place to visit into a place to truly belong”.

This season, The Square welcomes back beloved homegrown favourites including Public, Home Bakery, Omar Odali, Asma, Kokoro, and the kids’ Art’ Play area — each bringing a distinct flavour of Dubai’s creative spirit. Adding to this, an array of new culinary destinations will make their debut, elevating the venue’s gastronomic offering with Cipriani Dolci, SLRP Ramen & Rolls Bar, Maxzi – The Good Food Shop, and more.

Cipriani Dolci

Making its debut at The Square, Cipriani Dolci introduces a refined taste of Italian elegance in a relaxed yet sophisticated setting. Guests can indulge in timeless classics — from freshly baked pastries and artisanal coffees to the brand’s signature Cipriani dishes — all served with understated glamour.

SLRP Ramen & Rolls Bar

The bold and playful SLRP Ramen & Rolls Bar brings its signature fun-loving energy to The Square. Expect steaming ramen bowls, crisp handrolls, and vibrant Japanese-inspired bites, perfect for laid-back evenings under the stars.

Maxzi – The Good Food Shop

Celebrated for its commitment to quality, traceable ingredients and wholesome dining, Maxzi – The Good Food Shop joins The Square’s curated line-up, offering a fresh take on conscious cuisine that feels both nourishing and stylish.

Home Bakery Kitchen

A returning favourite, Home Bakery Kitchen unveils its exclusive hole-in-the-wall Milkshake & Hot Chocolate concept, serving indulgent shakes and rich, comforting hot chocolates — the perfect treat for cool Dubai evenings.

The destination itself has undergone a thoughtful refresh, introducing a more vibrant, experience-led layout. Visitors will enjoy enhanced infrastructure, including parking for over 550 cars, and new water features such as a tranquil koi pond, adding to the venue’s leisurely, resort-style ambience.

A dynamic calendar of live shows, cultural activations, and family-friendly events will ensure that no two visits are ever the same.

Staying true to its community-driven ethos, Shamal continues to champion local businesses, support inclusive spaces, and deliver high-quality, design-forward programming that appeals across generations. As Dubai enters its outdoor season, The Square reaffirms its place as the city’s must-visit open-air destination — where food, culture, and connection come together effortlessly under the open sky.

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Hospitality

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef Marks 27th Anniversary with Culinary Showdown & Community Spirit

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Diverse group of resort staff in white and casual attire standing together at tropical beachfront property with palm trees and thatched roof villas

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef the flagship property of Sun Siyam, is celebrating its 27th Anniversary with a week-long events centered on culinary and community engagement. The resort hosted comprehensive activities, including team building sports and competitive cooking judged by two Maldivian guest chefs, to showcase the talent of both its island team and students from F. Magoodhoo School on 25th and 26th of October.

The culinary competitions were judged by two prominent industry experts. Chef Fathimath Umar, who serves as the Secretariat of the Chef Guild Maldives and is a certified World Chef’s Judge in Culinary Arts and Pastry Arts, currently teaching Culinary Arts at Villa College and Chef Mariyam Shiuna, a WACS Continental Judge and Associate Lecturer at the Maldives National University.

Honoring the resort’s history and the incredible dedication of our team since 1998, this milestone anchors our legacy while setting the course for many more years of delivering the authentic Maldivian spirit to our cherished guests.


“Reaching the 27th anniversary reflects our dedication to service and extraordinary experiences,” said Resort Manager, Mr. Thoha Yoosuf. “By celebrating culinary talent, we not only honour the creativity and hard work of our team but also strengthen our bond with the local community through the shared language of food.”

The celebrations highlighted the resorts’ role in preserving community bonds and elevating Maldivian talent and traditions, defining 27 years of Maldivian Hospitality.

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Hospitality

MENA Hospitality Market Value Set to Top US$487 Billion by 2032 Amid Unprecedented Tourism Expansion

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The value of MENA’s hospitality market is set to grow from US$310 billion in 2025 to more than US$487 billion by 2032, according to data released ahead of the Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World, Madinat Jumeirah Dubai, 27-29 October.

The travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute US$367 billion to the Middle East economy and support 7.7 million jobs this year, says the World Travel and Tourism Council. International visitor spending is expected to reach nearly US$194 billion, up nearly a quarter from 2019, pre-pandemic levels, with domestic spending forecast to hit US$113 billion.

As of Q2 2025, the Middle East’s hotel construction pipeline reached an all-time high of 650 projects with 161,574 rooms. At the end of June, 337 projects, with almost 86,500 rooms, were under construction, with 147 projects due to start by Q2 2026.  

Saudi Arabia tops the Middle Eastern hotel construction chart, with more than 92,000 rooms across 342 projects. Next is Egypt with 127 projects and a record-high room count of over 28,000, followed by the UAE with 100 projects (25,470 rooms); Oman with 27 projects (4,709 keys) and Qatar with 16 projects (nearly 3,500 rooms).

The unprecedented hospitality, tourism and infrastructure expansion reinforces the region’s position as a global magnet for investment, say experts.

Amr El Nady, Head of Hotels & Hospitality MEA and Managing Director, Global Hotel Desk at Jones Lang Lasalle, said:Saudi Arabia is targeting 150 million tourist arrivals annually by 2030, while Egypt aims for 30 million international visitors by 2028. Both nations are seeking to significantly increase tourism’s contribution to their GDP, with KSA targeting 10% and Egypt 15%. This strategic focus is driving substantial hospitality investment, with mega-projects like NEOM, The Red Sea Project, and AlUla in KSA, alongside Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, Ras Al Hekma, South Med and Red Sea developments.

“The surge in development creates opportunities for both major international hotel operators and boutique brands to diversify their portfolios by introducing new concepts ranging from ultra-luxury desert resorts to culturally immersive heritage properties. The diversification strategy allows operators to cater to evolving traveller preferences while supporting the countries’ objectives of transforming their economies through sustainable tourism growth and positioning themselves as premier global destinations.”

JLL added that liquidity in the hotel investment landscape remains remarkably robust, underpinned by resilient hotel trading performance and increasing tourist arrivals. Performance data shows year on year growth in terms occupancy and ADR metrics, reflecting the sector’s operational strength and market confidence.

Amr El Nady added: “This strong performance has significantly enhanced appetite from regional and international investors – from high-net-worth individuals to institutional players – all seeking high-yielding, income-generating hotel assets and mixed-use developments, particularly across the UAE market. The region’s investment appeal continues to attract diverse capital sources drawn to its strategic positioning and growth potential.

“Last year, JLL forecasted US$1.2 billion in Dubai hotel transactions, and current market activity indicates we are on track to exceed this milestone, further demonstrating sustained investor confidence.”

In the UAE, Dubai’s hospitality sector – which has around 10,000 new rooms on the way between now and 2027 – continues to deliver an outstanding performance, according to the hospitality division at leading real estate advisory group and property consultant, Cavendish Maxwell.

“Occupancy levels rose to 81% in H1 2025, an increase of 2.5% year-on-year,” said Vidhi Shah, Director, Head of Commercial Valuation at Cavendish Maxwell. “Meanwhile ADR across Dubai’s hotels and resorts reached US$159, up 4.7%. With its hospitality sector continuing to lead the way in setting new benchmarks in safety, inclusivity and connectivity, Dubai remains a premium, global destination for leisure and business travellers, in turn opening up a plethora of new investment opportunities.”

Oman is also increasingly becoming a hot spot for hospitality investment, with tourism expected to contribute 5% to GDP by 2030 and 10% by 2040 – and overtake transport and logistics to become the country’s second most important industry after hydrocarbons.

Oman is set to boost hotel room inventory by 25% by 2030, with 9,600 new keys on the way in the next five years, and 2,600 by the end of 2025, recent insight from Cavendish Maxwell shows. In H1 this year, more than 1.1 million guests checked in to 3-5 hotels, where revenues rose more than 18% to US$367 million. The strong performance led to almost 5% growth in hospitality employment, with 10,800 people now working in the industry.  

The Middle East’s continued growth in tourism and hospitality is being further boosted by various government campaigns and initiatives across the region to encourage investment, international visits and business set up.

In KSA, upcoming global events like Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 are boosting already strong demand for real estate, including project in the hospitality sector.  In addition, from January 2026, foreigners will be able to purchase real estate assets in designated zones – a landmark development set to further deepen investor appetite.

Investment and real estate is a key track at FHS World, with more than 30 presentations, panel debates, workshops and one-to-one conversations covering everything from smart capital to sustainability and investment, cross border strategies to building global partnerships, investing in mixed-use projects and much more.  Visit futurehospitality.com/world/agenda for subjects and speakers across the three-day programme.

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