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Gulfood 2025 30th Edition Kicks Off Today, Setting New Benchmarks in F&B Growth and Innovation

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Gulfood

Gulfood’s 30th edition kicks off on 17 February at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) welcoming tens of thousands of attendees, uniting 5500+ exhibitors from 129 countries, and the world’s foremost industry CEOs, policymakers, investors, and visionaries. Under the theme ‘The Next Frontier in Food,’ the event anticipates USD 20 billion in trade deals and cutting-edge industry collaboration. H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, will deliver the opening keynote on Day 2 at the inaugural Food500 Summit, addressing Gulfood’s economic impact and the UAE’s role as a global trade gateway.

Food500: Titans of Industry and Policymakers Connect on Food Strategy for Change

The Food500 Summit brings industry leaders together to tackle pressing challenges and opportunities across the food value chain. Speakers include: Ananya Narayan, CEO – Hunter Foods; Dr. Edwini Kessie, Director of the Agriculture and Commodities Division, World Trade Organization – Switzerland; Alvyn Severien, CEO, Montaigne Nutrition and Co-founder, Algama – France; Tisha Livingston, CEO, Infinite Acres – USA, leading global top trends expert – Daniel Levine, and many more.

H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, said: “The selection of the food cluster as the first economic cluster to be developed by the UAE highlights the importance the country attaches to the sector as a key driver of economic diversification. The food cluster strategy aims to ensure self-sufficiency in food production and enhance the food ecosystem management through supporting agricultural enterprises and increasing local production. The initiative will not only help us meet local market needs but will also position the UAE as a leading food exporter to key regional and global markets and support the goals of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, such as increasing the national GDP to AED 3 trillion by the next decade.”

“Against this backdrop, the landmark edition of Gulfood will serve as an ideal platform for partnerships and discussions, presenting opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking across industries, thus fostering a foundation for setting and accomplishing future objectives within the global trade community,” H.E. added.

Gulfood Innovation Awards & Global Trade Showcase

The Gulfood Innovation Awards celebrate the very best in F&B innovation, recognizing trailblazing products, technologies, and ideas. Visitors can expect to see hundreds of thousands of new products and groundbreaking innovations showcased across the event.

“Our participation in Gulfood’s 30th edition supports our strategic direction towards our vision to become the number one global halal sustainable healthy protein company by 2030. This prestigious event allows us to showcase our latest innovations, connect with industry leaders, and drive meaningful progress in food solutions. Being shortlisted for the Gulfood Innovation Awards further underscores our commitment to excellence and pioneering advancements in the protein industry. Congratulations to Gulfood on 30 years of remarkable success. Your continuous growth and innovation have set new benchmarks for the global food industry, making Gulfood a premier platform for connection, collaboration, and progress.” said Marcos Delorenzo, CEO of ADC, Tanmiah’s Poultry Division.

TOP TABLE: ‘Culinary Futurism’ Theme Prevails Headlined by Gastronomic Legend Alain Ducasse

The 30th edition promises to be unforgettable as Gulfood brings Alain Ducasse to the UAE for the first time, where he will lead Top Table and Dubai World Cuisine activations. A chef with 21 Michelin stars, Ducasse is renowned for his innovative approach to gastronomy and his strong focus on sustainability—a vision that aligns with the UAE’s commitment to promoting sustainable food practices. The gastronomic superstar will share his insights on culinary futurism and the future of the industry on Day 3 of Food500.

Chef Alain Ducasse commented: “With Top Table at Gulfood, Dubai demonstrates its incredible momentum in attracting the most brilliant talents from all over the world. I’m proud to be part of this event with Chef Romain Meder. First in conducting a masterclass together at Top Table and hosting exclusive dinners at Takahisa. Yet also in meeting with my fellow chefs and the public, sharing our experiences and thus contributing to the rapidly evolving gastronomy scene in the region.”

Celebrating Dubai’s rise as a global food hub, Top Table, sponsored by Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), presents live masterclasses from 120+ global and local chefs with a combined 50 Michelin-stars. Take a front-row seat as dishes from every cuisine utilising products from the exhibition floor are brought to life across engaging masterclasses, tasting sessions, and demonstrations.

DUBAI WORLD CUISINE: Celebrating Dubai’s Dynamic Culinary Journey Towards International Food Epicentre

Exclusively created for Gulfood ticket holders, attendees can experience Dubai’s culinary finesse, connected to the Top Table masterclasses. A schedule of 4-and 6-hands fine dining collaborations, with a highlight 8-hands experience, has been curated across some of Dubai’s top restaurants including: Krasota, Takahisa, Avatara, Lowe, Armani Ristorante, Orfali Bros and Armani Amal.

Discovery Tours
Visitors can fast-track the best of Gulfood with unique hour-long Discovery tours, a line-up of 5 curated sector-themed tours offering an immersive experience highlighting global food trends and innovations on the show floor, along with expert guidance and insights at every stop.

Hospitality

10 REASONS WHY SIYAM WORLD IS THE MALDIVES’ ULTIMATE SUMMER PLAYGROUND

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Think summer in the Maldives is all about sipping cocktails and doing absolutely nothing? You could. But at Siyam World Maldives, you could also swim with sharks, race electric go-karts, become a certified mermaid, train with football legends and explore one of the Maldives’ newest shipwrecks, all before deciding what is for dinner. Because normal island holidays are not really our thing. Here are 10 reasons why Siyam World is turning up the fun this summer.

1. Dive into the Maldives’ Newest Obsession

Some resorts have house reefs. Siyam World has a shipwreck. The newest underwater attraction in Noonu Atoll is a 66 metre former Maldivian tuna freighter that now rests beneath the surface, ready to be explored by divers and marine life alike. Today it is an exciting new wreck dive. Tomorrow it will become a thriving artificial reef. Not bad for a retired fishing boat.

2. Train with Football Legends

This August, young football fans can swap the local pitch for paradise as former Premier League stars Andrew Johnson and Wayne Routledge arrive at Siyam World for two exclusive football camps. Not every summer holiday comes with professional coaching and ocean views. 10th – 14th AUGUST 2026 – Andrew Johnson / 15th – 19th AUGUST 2026 – Wayne Routledge. For kids between the ages of 5-12 years. More info here:

3. Swim with Sharks. Brag About It Later.

Swimming with sharks sounds terrifying. Until you realise these are gentle nurse sharks and curious sea turtles gliding through crystal clear waters. A three-hour snorkelling trip suddenly becomes one of those holiday stories you will tell for years.

4. The Floor Is Lava. The Water Park Is Not.

The Maldives’ biggest floating water park is basically an invitation to unleash your inner child. Climb it. Jump off it. Race your friends. Repeat.

5. Become a Mermaid. Seriously.

Some people come home from holiday with a tan. Others leave Siyam World with a mermaid certificate. This Try Mermaid Pool Program includes one session in the pool, all the equipment you’ll need as well as a certificate of completion. We know which one sounds more fun.

6. Golf, But Make It Shipwrecked.

Take on the Shipwrecked golf challenge, compete with friends and maybe even win resort credit while you are at it. Losing gracefully is optional.

7. Saddle Up, Maldives Style

Horse riding is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Maldives. That is exactly why we love it.

8. Dinner Underground, Island Style

Hidden beneath the island, Barrique is home to exceptional wines, curated menus and one of the most unique dining experiences in the Maldives. Choose between multiple course gourmet tasting menus that are served surrounded by hundreds of world-renowned vintages, where our sommelier is ready to take you through a wine journey that you will never forget. Because even adventure seekers need a sophisticated evening now and then.

9. Swap Flip-Flops for Pole Position

Who says paradise cannot come with a little friendly competition? Siyam World’s electric go-karts bring speed, excitement and plenty of laughs to the island, proving once again that this is a destination designed for those who like their holidays with a side of adventure.

10. Take on the Delmare Golf Challenge

Add a competitive twist to your stay with Siyam World’s golf challenge at Shipwrecked. Guests have the chance to win resort credit while enjoying a fun and social activity set against the backdrop of the ocean. Fun fact, the gold balls are fish food.

To make the most of summer, Siyam World is offering an exclusive limited-time offer with up to 45% off best available rates, complemented by added benefits including complimentary shared seaplane transfers on selected stays, USD 150 resort credit per bedroom, and a one-time floating breakfast for longer stays. Guests can enjoy the full Premium 24-hour WOW! all-inclusive experience, with up to two children under 12 staying and dining complimentary. The offer is available for bookings until 31 August 2026, for stays until 31 October 2027. Then tell us again that the Maldives is only for doing nothing.

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Hospitality

IDEAS NAMED A LEADER IN INAUGURAL IDC MARKETSCAPE FOR HOSPITALITY REVENUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

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IDeaS, a SAS company and a provider of AI-powered hospitality revenue management software, today announced it has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Revenue Management Systems in Hospitality 2026 Vendor Assessment.[i]

The recognition comes as hospitality revenue management enters a new era, evolving from standalone pricing tools into integrated commercial intelligence platforms. According to the IDC MarketScape, “The hospitality revenue management system market is at a genuine inflection point. The convergence of AI maturity, platform consolidation, and expanding commercial scope is redefining what an RMS is expected to do and for whom.”

Dorothy Creamer, Senior Research Manager, Hospitality and Travel Strategies, IDC, noted “Differentiation emerges with vendors that believe genuine automation requires a rigorous forecasting foundation, not just rules that appear to run themselves.”

The IDC MarketScape further highlights IDeaS’ broader commercial capabilities, noting that “the company has built a portfolio of commercial capabilities around its core RMS, spanning business intelligence, total revenue planning, portfolio management, function space optimization, and marketing demand management.”

From Automation to Decision Intelligence

“This is a turning point for hospitality,” said Dr. Ravi Mehrotra, President, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at IDeaS. “The industry is moving beyond surface-level automation toward decision intelligence built on rigorous forecasting science, explainable AI and connected data. Hotels don’t need more recommendations; they need confidence in every decision they make across the business. That’s the shift I believe this recognition reflects.”

Mehrotra continued, “As pressure mounts to respond faster to changing market conditions, hotels are rethinking how they connect revenue decisions with broader commercial strategy. We believe the IDC MarketScape emphasizes that the most effective systems are those that balance advanced automation with transparency and control, enabling teams to act quickly while maintaining trust in the underlying models.”

Beyond Pricing: A Broader Commercial Role

The IDC MarketScape also highlights a clear industry shift: “The hospitality technology stack has gotten thornier, with more integrations, more booking channels, and simply more data sources that are often highly siloed and fragmented.”

That shift is already accelerating. IDeaS recently reported strong adoption of its broader commercial strategy solutions, reflecting growing demand for technologies that unify revenue, marketing, sales and operational decisions into a single, coordinated approach.

And as hotel teams are increasingly tasked with making faster, more complex decisions across multiple functions, IDeaS continues to expand its capabilities to meet this need. By bringing together revenue management, business intelligence, financial planning and portfolio-level insight into a unified commercial framework, IDeaS helps organizations make more confident decisions across the business.

But as these commercial decisions become increasingly AI-driven, confidence depends not only on automation, but also on understanding how and why decisions are made.

Trust as the Foundation of AI-driven Decisions

As AI adoption accelerates, explainability has become a defining requirement for revenue management. The report highlights that revenue managers must be able to understand and defend the logic behind system-driven recommendations, reinforcing the importance of transparency alongside automation.

“AI without trust is just noise,” added Mehrotra. “The future belongs to systems that don’t just automate decisions, but make them understandable, actionable and aligned with how hotels actually operate.”

To learn more about the IDC MarketScape assessment and what it means for hospitality revenue management, download an excerpt of the paper here.

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Hospitality

BEACH STAYS, THE VIDA WAY SWAP THE MARINA FOR THE BEACH, SOAK UP THE SUNSHINE, AND MAKE EVERY STAY A LITTLE MORE UNFORGETTABLE.

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Your Dubai stay just unlocked its ultimate plot twist. Check into Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club, then swap skyline views for shoreline bliss with complimentary beach access at Address Beach Resort on selected room categories. Morning coffee by the marina, afternoon swims by the sea, and golden hour back at the yacht club? That’s a holiday itinerary that just makes sense.

Think less choosing between city and coast, more having both. Lounge by the beach, enjoy exclusive savings at the beach outlets, then head back to the energy of Dubai Marina. With complimentary access for children below 12 years too, it’s the kind of summer upgrade that gives you two iconic Dubai experiences in one stay.

Date: Until 30 September 2026

Offer:
– Complimentary beach access at Address Beach Resort for selected room categories
– Complimentary return transfers between Vida Dubai Marina and Address Beach Resort
– Complimentary beach access for children below 12 years
– 20% savings on food and beverages at the beach outlets

Venues: Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club and Address Beach Resort

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