Hospitality
Sun Siyam Marks 35 Years with Culture-Led Brand Transformation
Sun Siyam today unveils a milestone transformation as it celebrates 35 years of Maldivian hospitality. More than a visual refresh, the brand (r)evolution introduces a bold new brand statement anchored in The Home of the Maldivian Spirit, reinforcing the group’s position as one of the Maldives’ most culturally authentic resort operators. The transformation elevates guest journeys with new Signature Experiences introduced across all six resorts and strengthens direct relationships with customers through Siyam Rewards. A single identity now unites the group’s five Maldivian resorts and its Sri Lankan retreat under The House of Siyam. To help guests and partners navigate the portfolio, each property is now grouped under three distinct collections: Luxury, Privé, and Lifestyle.
Luxury Collection: elevated by the elements and steeped in the sublime, this is the highest calibre of island indulgence. Sun Siyam Iru Fushi now leads the Luxury Collection, offering premium exclusivity and a perfect sun-soaked paradise.
Lifestyle Collection: vibrant, energetic and designed for dreamlike adventure. The Lifestyle resorts are Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Siyam World, brimming with entertainment, recreation, and a wide mix of experiences for families, friends, and couples alike.
Privé Collection: intimate barefoot hideaways where privacy and bespoke comforts come first. Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef and Sun Siyam Pasikudah in Sri Lanka form the Privé Collection, romantic havens for travellers seeking soulful escapes.
Central to this evolution are a series of Signature Experiences, designed to go beyond the villa and bring Maldivian heritage and imagination into every stay. Guests can immerse themselves in Maldivian Roots, weekly culinary and cultural journeys celebrating heritage through story and flavour. They can book the Maldives’ first overwater photo studio, the Insta Villa, for envy-inducing moments in six-star surrounds. And they can join the island’s most vibrant scene at the Sun Siyam Beach Club, where afternoons of relaxed lounging turn into evenings of music and dancing under glowing tangerine skies. From the ceremonial Wow Welcome to Hidden Treasure Chests, the culinary journey of Plant Based Bliss and Moonlit Cinemas, each stay is enriched with unexpected moments of joy.
The brand (r)evolution also introduces Siyam Rewards, a digital membership programme that builds stronger direct relationships with guests. Members enjoy personalised itineraries, room upgrades, and optional carbon offsets, with rewards available from the very first booking. Every stay continues to support marine conservation and community projects through the group’s sustainability platform, Sun Siyam Care.
Reflecting on this milestone, Hon. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Founder, Owner & Managing Director, said: “When we founded Sun Siyam in 1990, and later opened our first resort in 1998, our goal was simple, to share the warmth of our islands and our people with the world. This transformation keeps that soul alive while giving us the space to innovate for the next generation of free-spirited travellers.”
Deepak Booneady, Chief Executive Officer, added: “This rebrand is not just about design, it is about experience. It is about cultural authenticity, purpose-driven hospitality, and creating moments that spark joy. With the Maldives’ widest choice of villas, the region’s most generous premium all-inclusive plan, and now our Signature Experiences, we are setting the stage for the future of island travel.”
The group selected the best experts in their fields to orchestrate the rebrand: JHAGGER&CO as lead brand advisors, driving a year‑long project that began with in‑depth audience research and an internal reset of vision, purpose, and values; Lee McNichol and Jose Rivero, Founders and Creative Directors of London based StudioSixty7, to refine, restyle and refresh interior environments; and Maldives hospitality pioneer, Dominik Ruhl, who helped the team to develop and implement new operational standards as well as signature experiences, embedding the new brand standards in the day to day service. With an incredible execution by the island operations team, General Managers and Resort Managers, led by VP of Operations at Sun Siyam, Abdulla Thamheed, as well as Sun Siyam’s brand sales, marketing, and public relation teams, the result is a warm, vibrant design system that retains its Maldivian soul while embracing a contemporary edge.
Hospitality
AARK MARKETING STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN UAE PERFECTING THE TITLE OF DIGITAL & INFLUENCER MARKETING & PR RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Aark Marketing, a reputed boutique integrated marketing and communications agency, continues to strengthen its position within the UAE’s competitive brand landscape through culturally attuned, insight-led campaigns. Marking a milestone year in its growth journey, the agency’s 2025 performance reflects strategic clarity and creative precision, translating brand narratives into measurable impact across sectors. Beyond F&B and hospitality, Aark serves diverse industries including retail, manufacturing, and construction, offering end-to-end expertise across media planning, social and digital campaigns, and influencer marketing to deliver ROI-driven outcomes.
Founded in 2020, Aark has led several high-impact campaigns for reputed F&B brands, including Kashkan, which generated 2.4 million views and 20,000+ followers in three months. Its hospitality portfolio includes Pincode by Chef Kunal Kapur, Silk Lantern, Lavang, Aminia, and The Permit Room, while work with Emirates Airlines – Dnata and Dubai Islamic Bank demonstrates its capability beyond F&B.
Under visionary leadership, Aark celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2025, marked by key achievements including Pincode winning the Time Out Restaurant Awards 2025 and Lavang being named Filmfare Middle East Favourite Debutant Restaurant 2025; demonstrating the agency’s ability to align strategic brand positioning with meaningful audience engagement.
The agency earned multiple industry honours this year: the Middle East National Business Awards for A Marketing & PR Recipe for Success, and accolades from the Global Business & Finance Magazine Awards: Best Integrated Marketing Agency UAE, Best PR & Media Agency of the Year UAE, and Excellence in Brand Communications UAE. Inclusion in the Caterer Middle East F&B Power PR List further reinforced its regional credibility.
Emphasising on Aark’s client-first approach, Kkusum Rawat, Founder and Marketing Director at Aark Marketing, said, “Today, brands are looking beyond traditional marketing for partners who truly understand their objectives and the regional nuances that shape consumer behaviour. Our focus has always been on delivering customised solutions that build visibility through relevance, not volume. With a clear emphasis on Return on Investment, we leverage innovation and technology to create impactful campaigns that connect meaningfully with audiences and deliver measurable outcomes. The consistency we achieved in 2025, across thinking, execution, and results, reflects the strength of our team and the trust our clients place in us to build lasting brand impact.”
From a performance standpoint, Aark Marketing delivered sustained digital growth across its portfolio, achieving over 5 million in reach and 3 million video views. Multiple F&B brands recorded 20 to 40% month-on-month engagement growth, while festive campaigns drove 2x to 4x visibility spikes, improved cost efficiencies, and increased footfall, online orders, and inquiries.
Across influencer and communications channels, Aark Marketing strengthened brand recall and authority. A flagship Al Nabooda campaign generated over 1 million video views, while strategic PR efforts secured 500+ media articles across top-tier regional publications, driving consistent editorial visibility, stronger brand credibility, and increased inbound discovery across AI-powered search platforms. Revolutionizing the ever-growing digital marketing sector, Aark Marketing stays committed to providing creative campaigns and excel in client delivery. The key achievements collectively signal a year defined by credibility, collaboration, and carefully measured growth, positioning the agency firmly within the region’s evolving marketing and communications landscape
Hospitality
HOUSE OF HYPE DUBAI JUST FLIPPED THE HOLIDAYS, UNVEILS THE WINTER WONDERVERSE
This festive season, House of Hype, Dubai Mall’s most spectacular immersive mega-experience, turns the holidays upside down with The Winter Wonderverse, a surreal festive universe that only Dubai could dream up.
Running from December 13 till January 4, 2026, The Winter Wonderverse @ House of Hype delivers a larger-than-life remix of holiday classics across the park’s 25 immersive worlds. Expect glowing snow, dancing lights, spontaneous performances, mischievous elf photobooths, chaotic parades, and snacks almost too cute to eat — all crafted to surprise, delight, and spark unforgettable shared moments.
But this isn’t nostalgia, and it’s definitely not the winter village you’ve visited five times before. This is House of Hype in Dubai! Where everything is bigger, wilder, brighter, and far more fun.
A Holiday Universe, One Wild World at a Time
From the moment you step inside, you’re not entering a venue, you’re crossing into a surreal festive season multiverse. One minute you’re inside a shimmering snow globe where neon snow falls around you, the next, you’re being pulled into an elf transformation photobooth where the “elves” are a little too enthusiastic and definitely up to mischief.
Turn a corner and suddenly a world-hopping parade bursts through the space, sweeping you into a swirl of bold characters, dancers, glitchy holiday creatures, and spontaneous performances that feel like they jumped out of a fever dream.
Blending humor, fantasy, nostalgia, and hypersaturated design, The Winter Wonderverse @ House of Hype is for people who want their holidays to feel anything but ordinary, families, friends, creators, travelers, and anyone chasing a festive escape with a twist.
Festive Highlights:
Inspired by House of Hype’s signature mega-experience DNA, here’s what guests can expect:
- Glowing Snow & Dancing Lights: A surreal holiday landscape perfect for unforgettable photo and video moments.
- Elf Transformation Photobooths: Snap, record, and instantly drop into the Winter Wonderverse storyline with playful, social-ready content.
- World-Hopping Parades & Outrageous Performances: A spontaneous cast brings the universe to life through bold interactions and unexpected spectacle.
- A Surprise Treat Awaits Anyone in Ugly Sweaters: Show up to Dubai’s most chaotic holiday showdown, loud, fun, and delightfully unhinged.
- Cute Holiday Snacks & Limited-Edition Treats: Delicious, highly Instagrammable snacks curated by Michelin-starred culinary talent.
House of Hype invites guests on a 60–90 minute adventure through Dubai Mall’s full-scale City of Dreams, a joyful mega-experience built from the brightest corners of digital pop culture. Across 25 surreal, interactive zones, visitors drift through neon Tokyo nights, K-Pop stages, shimmering Bollywood energy, robotic light shows, projection domes, hidden pathways, exclusive shopping, and limited-edition global snacks. With live performances, AI-powered photo moments, and unexpected worlds opening at every turn, every visit becomes a journey to dream big, live loud, and have fun.
Hospitality
PIZZAEXPRESS UNVEILS FESTIVE MENUS FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON
PizzaExpress invites guests to celebrate the festive season with specially curated Christmas and New Year dining experiences, combining seasonal flavours, signature dishes, and a lively social atmosphere. Available throughout December and culminating in a vibrant New Year celebration, the festive menus have been designed to bring people together over food, music, and celebration.
“As the festive season approaches, we wanted to create menus that feel celebratory, comforting, and perfect for sharing,” said Nitin Makhijani, General Manager, PizzaExpress. “Our Christmas and New Year offerings bring together seasonal ingredients, familiar favourites, and a vibrant atmosphere, making PizzaExpress a welcoming place for guests to celebrate with friends and family.”
For Christmas, guests can enjoy a festive set menu, offering a selection of seasonal starters, mains, and desserts inspired by classic holiday flavours. Highlights include creamy Cranberry Brussels Sprouts, Turkey Truffle Dough Balls, festive pizzas such as the Christmas Feast and Brussels & Porcini Truffle, and indulgent desserts including Speculoos Gingerbread Tiramisu and KitKat Stuffed Dough Balls
A selection of festive beverages and cocktails are also available to complement the dining experience.
The celebrations continue into New Year’s Eve, where guests can look forward to an extended festive menu featuring unlimited starters, seasonal pizzas, delicious pastas, fresh salads, and indulgent desserts, paired with a wide selection of beverages
From savoury dishes like Barbecue Burnt Ends pizza and creamy Cajun Chicken pizza to festive desserts and signature cocktails, the New Year menu is designed for relaxed, social dining as guests countdown to midnight.
Blending festive flavours with its signature dining experience, PizzaExpress offers a relaxed yet energetic setting for both Christmas gatherings and New Year celebrations, making it a popular choice for groups looking to enjoy great food and a lively atmosphere during the holiday season.
-
Tech News1 year agoDenodo Bolsters Executive Team by Hiring Christophe Culine as its Chief Revenue Officer
-
VAR9 months agoMicrosoft Launches New Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business
-
Tech Interviews2 years agoNavigating the Cybersecurity Landscape in Hybrid Work Environments
-
Tech News6 months agoNothing Launches flagship Nothing Phone (3) and Headphone (1) in theme with the Iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai
-
Tech News2 years agoBrighton College Abu Dhabi and Brighton College Al Ain Donate 954 IT Devices in Support of ‘Donate Your Own Device’ Campaign
-
VAR1 year agoSamsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Clash Of The Folding Phenoms
-
Editorial1 year agoCelebrating UAE National Day: A Legacy of Leadership and Technological Innovation
-
Tech Features11 months ago5 Urgent Questions About Healthcare Network Cybersecurity in the Middle East


