Hospitality

Rasha Al Mubarak on Empowering UAE Creators: Redefining Music Rights in Hospitality and Beyond

Published

9 months ago

September 29, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

Rasha Al Mubarak, Founder and Chairwoman of Music Nation, portrait in black abaya against modern office interior background.

By: Rasha Al Mubarak, the visionary Founder & Chairwoman of Music Nation

Can you tell us a bit about your background and what drew you to the world of music rights?

I was fortunate to grow up in a family that deeply valued culture, justice, and humanitarian work. At the same time, I have always been passionate about music, art and storytelling as powerful ways to share our heritage. The intersection of these influences: law, humanitarianism, and creativity, naturally drew me to music rights, where I saw an opportunity to protect creators, empower communities, and ensure that culture remains accessible and celebrated.

How would you describe Music Nation’s mission and the role it plays in supporting artists and the creative economy as a whole?

Music Nation was founded with a clear and compelling mission: to support music creators and rightsholders within the UAE by protecting and licensing their copyrighted works to businesses that use music, but also offering guidance on their career development throughout the music industry. We empower creators to understand the business landscape, cultivate meaningful industry relationships, and effectively monetize their work.

Congratulations on Music Nation’s Collective Management Organization (CMO) permit award by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. What does this milestone mean for music creators as well as the hospitality sector, and why is such recognition so important for all parties?

For me, this historic milestone is about recognition. It means that music creators in the UAE, and from around the world, now have an official, trusted body that protects their rights and ensures they are fairly compensated whenever their music is played. That sense of security allows them to focus on their craft, knowing their work is valued and protected.

At the same time, hotels, restaurants, and other venues also benefit from this system. Instead of navigating a gray area, they now have a clear legal framework to play music, while respecting the creators behind it. This creates a healthier, more transparent ecosystem where everyone wins: artists are rewarded, businesses have peace of mind, and audiences get to enjoy music in spaces that honor creativity.

Your collaboration with global entities BMI and SoundExchange is notable. How do these partnerships enhance Music Nation’s capacity to meet international standards in rights management?

I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our partners BMI and SoundExchange; organizations with long-standing, global reputations. BMI helped us build the foundation for public performance licensing in the UAE years ago. Their expertise ensures that songwriters and publishers are properly supported and compensated through proven technology and systems.Our partnership with SoundExchange has taken things further in the neighboring rights space. Their advanced technology, data tools, and administration capabilities are the best in the business, and these systems allow us to collect and distribute royalties for performers and producers/labels with speed, accuracy and transparency.

What this means for our artists is that they’re getting world-class rights protection and royalty distribution. For me, it’s a source of pride to bring these advanced systems home to the UAE, so that artists here benefit from fairness, clarity, and credibility that matches what creators around the world expect and deserve.

It can be problematic when it comes to businesses playing music because of the complexity and legal risks involved. How does Music Nation simplify this process for restaurants, hotels, and other F&B operators?

In the past, music licensing was cumbersome and essentially ambiguous. Today it is just the opposite. Our leadership recognizes the positive impact of the UAE’s creative and cultural industries and has introduced robust copyrights legislation to protect and nurture our creatives and provide them with the opportunity to build sustainable careers through royalty distribution. The ambiguity of the past has been resolved through regulation, and using music today without a license is considered copyright infringement, carrying significant risks. With Music Nation, we facilitate all of that licensing officially, seamlessly and throughout the UAE.

Music Nation was built for this purpose. In the world of music copyright law, we have authors rights that protect the authors and publishers of a song and we have neighboring rights (also known as related rights) that protect the performers and producers/labels of recorded music. In most other markets, a business would have to pay a license fee to one society for author/publisher rights and another fee to another society for neighboring rights. Music Nation is the one-stop solution for licensing all of these rights under a single umbrella. This simplifies things enormously, and we believe we are the first Collective Management Organization in the world to natively achieve this. Rather than juggling multiple contracts with multiple parties or risking unlicensed use, hospitality licensees like restaurants and hotels can now secure clear, legal access to music with one efficient license from Music Nation.

Music is often seen as culture, but it’s also a powerful economic driver. How do you see licensed music contributing to the growth of the UAE’s creative economy?

I’ve always believed that music is both a cultural heartbeat and an economic engine. When music is properly licensed, it ensures that creators are fairly compensated, which in turn encourages more artists to invest their time, talent, and resources into making more music. This cycle doesn’t just benefit artists; it supports businesses, creates jobs, and attracts investment into the wider creative industries.

In the UAE, this has an even greater significance. The country has placed the creative economy at the center of its National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries 2031, aiming to make it one of the nation’s key growth sectors. Licensed music plays a direct role in that vision: it gives artists a reliable income stream, provides venues and businesses with legal clarity, and builds trust in the ecosystem.

As a successful Emirati entrepreneur, what lessons have you learned on your journey that you would like to pass on to the next generation of women leaders?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to take the time to truly search for your passion. It’s not always obvious at first, but once you find what excites you, what gives you energy, that’s where your strength lies. And when you do discover it, I encourage you to think about how to turn that passion into something both innovative and meaningful, while staying authentic. Something that not only allows you to express your creativity but also benefits the community around you.

For me, combining my love for law, humanitarian work, and the arts led to building organizations that protect creators and give back to society. That balance is what keeps me motivated.

Hospitality

JUNGLEBOWLS BRINGS THE ENERGY OF THE JUNGLE TO DUBAI WITH AN ALL-DAY BREAKFAST EXPERIENCE

Published

9 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Inspired by the rhythm, colour and abundance of the jungle, JungleBowls welcomes guests to enjoy breakfast at any hour, with a menu filled with fresh ingredients, bold flavours and Japanese-inspired touches.

Founded by Italian restaurateur Salvatore Pisanzio, JungleBowls captures the spirit of nature and brings a fresh dining concept to Dubai. The menu celebrates vibrant bowls, comforting favourites and playful drinks, all created around flavour, freshness and balance.

Available throughout the day, the breakfast selection reflects JungleBowls’ mastery of wholesome food with personality. Guests can discover Japanese-inspired favourites including the Tamago Egg Sando, served on soft Hokkaido shokupan with creamy egg salad, Kewpie mayonnaise and a touch of sriracha, or the Jap Omelette topped with avocado, salmon gravlax and furikake for a rich umami finish.

For a more filling choice, the Halloumi Bowl combines grilled halloumi, poached egg, crispy enoki mushrooms, kale, barley and hummus. Turkish Eggs bring together poached eggs, whipped labneh, kale and aromatic miso chilli butter.

The sweeter side of breakfast comes alive through colourful creations including the Açaí Bowl topped with fresh fruit and granola, Chia Granola with coconut chia pudding and mango, and the signature Japanese Soufflé Pancakes – soft, airy and made for a little morning indulgence.

Alongside its breakfast offerings, JungleBowls serves creative beverages throughout the day. Guests can enjoy ceremonial-grade matcha, roasted hojicha, specialty coffee, fresh juices and smoothies, including favourites such as the Citrus Espresso, Mango Matcha and Blue Spirulina Smoothie, each inspired by the colours and flavours of the natural world.

From a quick breakfast stop to a relaxed catch-up over coffee, JungleBowls invites guests to enjoy a fresh, colourful and flavour-filled escape in the heart of the city, with dishes.

Details:

What: Japanese-Inspired All-Day Breakfast Experience | Where: JungleBowls, Index Tower, DIFC, Dubai | When: Daily, 8:30am to 10:30pm

Hospitality

MARRIOTT EXECUTIVE APARTMENTS OPENS IN THE HEART OF JUMEIRAH LAKES TOWERS

Published

11 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Marriott Executive Apartments, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, announces the opening of Marriott Executive Apartments Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. Developed by Orra Hotel Apartments LLC, the new property is designed to meet the evolving needs of long-stay business and leisure guests seeking flexibility, connectivity and residential comfort in one of Dubai’s most strategic business districts.

Located within Orra The Embankment, a premium mixed-use development in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), the property enjoys a prime position between Dubai Marina and Uptown Dubai, with convenient access to Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai Metro and major commercial districts including Jumeirah Beach Residence, Palm Jumeirah and DMCC.

“Marriott Executive Apartments Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai has been designed for today’s global professionals who value space, privacy and flexibility alongside trusted service,” said Mina Hanna, General Manager of Marriott Executive Apartments Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai. “Located in the heart of JLT, the property offers a strategic base for extended stays with seamless access to Dubai’s key commercial hubs.”

Marriott Executive Apartments Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai offers 150 thoughtfully designed, fully furnished 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, created to support productivity alongside everyday comfort. Each apartment features a premium bedding, fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer, high speed internet, contemporary workspaces and modern entertainment, making longer stays feel effortless and well considered. Private balconies and city views further enhance the sense of space, reinforcing a genuine home away from home experience.

Guests have access to a considered mix of amenities designed to support both work and wellbeing, including an all day international dining restaurant, a fully equipped fitness centre, paddle court, outdoor swimming pool, sauna and steam facilities, a children’s play area, dedicated concierge services and meeting and conference spaces suited to executive meetings and small corporate gatherings.

The property also integrates keyless entry, high speed internet access and advanced guest room and energy management systems, supporting seamless, secure and efficient stays.

Hospitality

FLAVOUR AND THE SOUL OF LEÑA

Published

14 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Exclusive interview with Chef Dani García at Maxx Royal Bodrum

Leña by Dani García at Maxx Royal Bodrum

Conceived by acclaimed chef Dani García, Leña by Dani García, redefines the traditional grill through a gastronomic concept where fire and live embers take centre stage, transforming primal cooking techniques into a refined, cosmopolitan dining experience. The restaurant’s contemporary interiors echo its culinary philosophy, featuring warm, earthy tones and rich wood finishes that reinforce the connection to fire, while creating an inviting, stylish atmosphere. The menu strikes a confident balance between tradition and modernity, showcasing signature dishes that have become synonymous with the brand, from the iconic grilled avocado and its emblematic burger to expertly selected cuts such as aged ribeye from mature cattle. Together, they embody Leña’s unmistakable identity: a celebration of precision, flavour and a modern approach to steakhouse culture on an international stage.

Attributable to Chef Dani García:

Leña is built around fire as both technique and emotion. How would you describe the restaurant’s identity in one sentence beyond the idea of a steakhouse?

Leña is a celebration of living through fire. It’s a place where technique, emotion and sharing come together to create unforgettable moments around the table. We are much more than a steakhouse; we are a restaurant where fire becomes a language.

You achieved three Michelin stars and then made the rare decision to close your restaurant at its peak. What mindset drives a decision like that?

I have always believed that gastronomy is about evolution and taking risks. Closing a three-Michelin-star restaurant was not about leaving something behind but about opening new doors. I’m driven by curiosity and by the desire to keep creating experiences that connect with more people around the world.

From Smoked Room’s rapid Michelin recognition to Leña’s global expansion, what connects all your culinary chapters?

The common thread is emotion. Whether it’s a tasting menu at Smoked Room or a dinner at Leña, my goal is always the same: to move people through flavour, hospitality and storytelling. Every project has a different expression, but the soul is identical.

What makes Turkey’s Bodrum coastline a meaningful setting for Leña’s philosophy?

Bodrum has a unique energy. There is a deep connection with the sea, with nature and with the joy of gathering around a table, and that fits perfectly with Leña’s philosophy. Fire feels very natural here. The Mediterranean lifestyle, the beauty of the coastline and the relaxed sophistication of Bodrum make it an extraordinary destination for our concept.

You’ve built a career on combining traditional Spanish ingredients with global techniques. How do you know when a dish has found the perfect balance between heritage and innovation?

When innovation doesn’t hide the ingredient or the memory behind it but elevates it. A dish works when it surprises you while still feeling familiar. Respect for the product and emotion are always the final judges.

Rapid Fire Questions

What is your personal favourite cut or ingredient to cook over fire?

I love cooking red prawns over fire. It’s a delicate ingredient that completely transforms with smoke and heat while preserving its essence.

What is the most memorable dining moment you’ve experienced as a guest, not a chef?

There have been many, but the moments I remember most are those where I felt genuine hospitality and emotion. Great food is important, but the feeling a restaurant leaves with you is what stays forever.

If you could host a dream fire-cooking dinner anywhere in the world, where would it be?

On a secluded beach in the Mediterranean, with the sea in front of us and a long table shared with friends, producers and chefs from around the world.

Is there a flavour profile that you find yourself returning to repeatedly, regardless of the concept or location?

Acidity and smokiness. I love the tension between freshness and fire. It’s a combination that appears in many of my dishes in one way or another.

Leña operates within luxury hospitality environments. How important is collaboration between hotel experience and restaurant identity?

It’s essential. The guest doesn’t separate the restaurant from the hotel experience; they remember the emotion of the whole journey. In places like Bodrum, where hospitality is taken to another level, that collaboration becomes even more important and allows us to create something truly memorable.