Hospitality
BALANCING AUTHENTICITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND GUEST EXPERIENCE
																								
												
												
											Exclusive interview with Siegfried Nierhaus, Vice President and Head of Development, Middle East, India & Africa, H World International
How has Future Hospitality Summit 2025 shaped up as a platform for thought leadership and collaboration within the hospitality space this year?
The Future Hospitality Summit continues to play an instrumental role in driving impactful dialogue and connections for hospitality brands in the region. This year, the summit highlighted how the industry is evolving towards purpose-driven growth and sustainable transformation.
For H World International, FHS 2025 has provided us with the opportunity to connect with investors, owners, and developers while sharing insights on aligning hospitality development with evolving traveller expectations. The summit’s focus on innovation and long-term value creation aligns with H World International’s vision to grow responsibly across key markets in the Middle East. FHS 2025 highlighted some key industry insights as well as key milestones and achievements by regional and international hospitality brands. We are proud to mark a key milestone on such a dynamic international platform. Globally, H World Group celebrates 20 years this year, with more than 12,000 hotels and 1.1 million rooms worldwide, and conferences such as FHS 2025 have played an important role in shaping our partnerships in the region.

What were some of the key trends or conversations at FHS 2025 that resonated most with you and your brand’s direction?
This year, the summit reflected a significant connection between digital transformation, sustainability, and authenticity as defining themes for the future of hospitality. These trends are shaping investment and operational strategies across the sector. The growing demand for high-quality mid-scale offerings was particularly notable, which has been an important focus for us. Our IntercityHotel brand continues to demonstrate a defining presence across the Middle East, focusing on functionality, urban designs, and efficiency that resonates with younger travellers who value reliability and purpose. We also saw greater emphasis on wellness and purposeful travel. Across our portfolio, the goal remains to create hotels that are operationally efficient, sustainable, and emotionally engaging.
We are incorporating more wellness-oriented elements across H World International’s hotel concepts, from enhanced fitness and relaxation spaces to thoughtful design that promotes rest and recovery. The industry-wide emphasis on sustainability, wellness, and localisation aligns closely with our approach of developing hotels that are operationally efficient while remaining culturally connected to their destinations.
You have led development across three vastly different regions, what’s one cultural insight that’s changed how you view hospitality altogether?
Having worked across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, I have learned that hospitality may be a universal language, but its expression is entirely local. True hospitality is about resonance rather than replication.
Each market carries its own identity. At H World International, we translate these nuances into experiences that combine the local heritage and culture with hospitality excellence that defines our brands in the region. This approach has shaped our expansion in key source markets such as Egypt, where our highly anticipated Steigenberger Saint Catherine Resort and Steigenberger Resort Byoum Lakeside, will soon welcome guests to experience world-class hospitality in very distinctive destinations.
Furthermore, Steigenberger Saint Catherine Resort is the first international hotel brand in the region – a UNESCO heritage site, offering modern comfort and historic charm. This development reflects H World International’s vision to be the trusted partner of choice for owners and guests across the Middle East and Africa, supporting long-term growth in alignment with national tourism goals.
Can you share your insights on how evolving travel behaviours and cultural expectations are influencing how global hospitality brands redefine “guest experience” today?
Today’s traveller seeks far more than comfort or convenience; they expect a seamless, personalised, and purpose-driven experience. The integration of technology, sustainability, and emotional connection now defines the modern guest journey. Our regional portfolio mirrors these factors with brands such as IntercityHotel offering modern, functional spaces elegantly designed for today’s connected traveller. H Rewards, the world’s largest hospitality loyalty programme with over 288 million members, has also been pivotal to this transformation, allowing us to personalise stays, enhance guest engagement, and offer added value. As guests seek brands that combine quality with sustainability, our hotels integrate energy efficiency, reduced plastic use, and locally inspired designs, ensuring that every stay reflects both modern expectations and the enriched regional culture.
At H World Group, our global presence consists of more than 12,000 hotels and over 1.1 million rooms across 19 countries, enabling us to gain real-time insights from diverse guest demographics and cultural nuances. This scale gives us a deeper understanding of what travellers value most, enabling us to deliver experiences that balance local authenticity with consistent global quality.

We are seeing travellers seeking more authenticity and emotional connection, how is H World International interpreting this shift in its hotel concepts?
Authenticity and emotional resonance are increasingly central to how travellers define value. At H World International, we view this shift as an opportunity to craft experiences that tell a story, one that connects the guest to the culture, community, and sense of belonging. Across our portfolio, this philosophy is reflected through architecture, design, and locally inspired experiences. A great example is IntercityHotel Riyadh Al Rayaan, opening in June 2027, which blends German hospitality traditions with contemporary Saudi design influences, creating a product that feels both international and locally relevant.
Likewise, our Steigenberger Saint Catherine Resort in Egypt is inspired by the cultural and natural heritage of its surroundings, embodying a timeless design that honours the authenticity and spirit of Saint Catherine, a UNESCO heritage site.
This balance between cultural integrity and operational excellence enables us to create environments where guests feel genuinely connected to their destination.
With generational and cultural differences shaping travel demand, what challenges or opportunities do you see in designing experiences that feel globally relevant yet locally grounded?
The hospitality sector is navigating a complex yet exciting landscape, where generational and cultural diversity are reshaping what guests value. Younger travellers prioritise digital convenience, flexibility, and sustainability, while established segments continue to seek consistency and service excellence. The challenge and the opportunity lie in harmonising these expectations. At H World International, we are focusing on creating spaces that transcend demographics, combining timeless comfort with modern relevance. We integrate sustainable design, local materials, and technology to ensure our hotels remain adaptable and meaningful in every market.
Hospitality
THE HOUSE OF SUNTORY RETURNS TO TAKE OVER HONEYCOMB HI-FI FOR A THIRD TIME
														Honeycomb Hi-Fi and The House of Suntory reunite this November for their third collaboration with a month-long series of events celebrating Japanese craftsmanship through music, mixology and culture. Get ready for a month-long lineup of international DJs, hands-on masterclasses and a fusion of music, cocktail and culture.
The first session of the month unfolds on Friday, 7 November, kicking things off from 9 PM onwards with Berlin-based collective Lazarus Killed Jazz, featuring KRN, ZENIM & UMBRTO behind the decks. Expect underground house with 90s UK and Chicago influences, deep, soulful, and effortlessly contagious. Walk-ins at the bar are AED 120 including one drink, while table reservations from 9:30 PM require a minimum spend of AED 350 per person.
On Tuesday, 11 November, Honeycomb Hi-Fi switches into full glow, lanterns light up for the very first time, washing the terrace in warm, cinematic light while the night unfolds to a vinyl soundtrack. Within this new ambiance, guests are invited into an intimate exploration of Japanese calligraphy with Yoshimi Fujii, an artist from Kobe, Japan. In this two-hour session, Yoshimi shares techniques passed down from her grandmother, a master calligrapher, revealing the quiet precision and beauty of brush and ink, a tradition rooted in heritage and philosophy. Guests will be welcomed with a signature drink on arrival before exploring the versatility of Haku Vodka through tastings served neat, frozen, and on ice. Each guest will create their own calligraphy piece to take home as a keepsake from the evening. The session is limited to just 15 guests, priced at AED 250 per person, with the experience beginning at 7:30 PM.
The momentum keeps building into Friday, 14 November, Honeycomb Hi-Fi welcomes Mule Musiq, one of Tokyo’s most influential record labels, making its Dubai debut. Founded by Toshiya Kawasaki, Mule Musiq has shaped the sound of Japan’s underground, representing artists such as Theo Parrish, Chaos In The CBD, Kuniyuki, DJ Sprinkles, and DJ Koze. For one night only, experience a true Tokyo listening session with Kuniyuki Takahashi performing live in his first-ever UAE show, alongside Toshiya Kawasaki and Kito Jempere. Expect deep house, jazzy grooves, and rare Japanese cuts that take over the room from 9 PM till late. Walk-ins at the bar are AED 120 including one drink, while table reservations from 9:30 PM require a minimum spend of AED 350 per person.
Week three brings one of the bar world’s most respected figures to Dubai, Jim Meehan, who will share insights from his three-decade career that has taken him from Madison to New York City to Portland. Through his consultancy Mixography Inc., Meehan works with leading brands including The House of Suntory and Acre Forge. As the author of The PDT Cocktail Book, Meehan’s Bartender Manual, and his latest title The Bartender’s Pantry, Meehan brings an unparalleled mix of knowledge, hospitality, and storytelling. On Thursday, 20 November, from 8 PM onwards he steps behind the bar for a one-night-only Guest Shift, presenting a series of cocktails that reinterpret The House of Suntory’s signature spirits through his refined yet imaginative approach.
Throughout November, Honeycomb Hi-Fi will be serving cocktails inspired by Japan’s autumn season, designed to showcase The House of Suntory’s seasonal philosophy and meticulous craftsmanship. Guests can explore refined serves including the Hojicha-Hi (Toki, hojicha, crème de cassis, soda), the Miso Negroni (Roku Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, miso), the Hibiki Old Fashioned (Hibiki Harmony, ginger brown butter, demerara, bitters), and After 8 (Haku Vodka, matcha, crème de menthe, white chocolate, cream). Elegant, layered, and thoughtfully composed, each cocktail offers a sensory journey where sound and spirit move in perfect harmony.
Hospitality
FUMÉE IGNITES DUBAI’S DINING SCENE WITH BOLD NEW STEAKHOUSES AT FAIRMONT DUBAI AND DUBAI MARINA WALK
														A new steakhouse haven has arrived in Dubai with the launch of Fumée, devoted to the artistry of smoke and flavour. Expanding its presence across two key destinations, each location offers a unique interpretation of the brand’s signature warmth and sophistication. At Fairmont Dubai, FUMÉE Steakhouse embodies contemporary elegance with rustic undertones, while at District 8 in Dubai Marina, the restaurant overlooks the waterfront, blending modern refinement with the charm of coastal dining.
At Fumée in Fairmont Dubai, guests are welcomed to an elevated setting where high ceilings, warm wooden floors, and candlelit ambience create a romantic, inviting atmosphere. Dark leather seating, touches of greenery, and playful artworks lend depth, while the soft notes of background jazz creates a space that feels timeless. Over at District 8, Fumée takes on a more artistic expression, featuring deep textures, golden accents and sculpted detailing inspired by the grandeur of Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Framed by the glittering waterfront, the space embodies refined luxury and modern artistry, unified by Fumée’s signature spirit of craftsmanship and flavour.
At the heart of Fumée Steakhouse lies a single culinary vision shared across both locations, where every dish tells the same story of craftsmanship, smoke and refined flavour. Built around premium cuts expertly seasoned to deliver rich, unforgettable tastes, the menu features meats that melt effortlessly in the mouth. Signature highlights include the Truffle Beef Tartare layered with truffle aioli and crispy leek, and the 8 Hour Asado Beef Ribs, slow cooked until perfectly tender, creating dishes that feel indulgent and memorable. The essence of Fumée is captured in The Golden Ottoman, a spectacular sharing steak that takes centre stage at the table. The menu also embraces the tastes of the sea with the Lobster Linguine al Bisque, featuring fresh lobster in a rich tomato bisque sauce. Mediterranean and Levantine inspired meze, fresh salads and sides such as Truffle Parmesan Fries and Chargrilled Asparagus add variety and depth, while desserts like the classic Künefe with Maraş ice cream or a Molten Chocolate Fondant with pistachio cream bring the experience to a sweet and satisfying finale.
Complementing the food, Fumée enhances the dining experience with a refined selection of handcrafted cocktails and mocktails, offering something flavourful and refreshing for every palate. The restaurant also takes pride in its boutique collection of wines, thoughtfully curated to pair with the menu and elevate the rich flavours of the meats.
“For us, every dish at Fumée begins with respect for the ingredient and the flame,” said Kadir Dogan, General Manager of Fumée Steakhouse.“We allow the natural character of premium cuts and fresh produce to shine, enhancing them with just the right touch of smoke, seasoning and time. To complete the experience, our handcrafted cocktails and carefully curated boutique grapes are designed to complement the richness of the menu, creating pairings that are bold, balanced and memorable.”
With its luxurious interiors, refined cuisine and atmosphere of understated elegance, Fumée Steakhouse is a distinctive addition to Dubai’s dining scene. Blending fire, flavour and finesse, the restaurant invites guests to savour a steakhouse experience that is as memorable as it is indulgent – now with two exceptional locations: Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, and Dubai Marina Walk, District 8.
Hospitality
CRAFTING EXPERIENCES THAT CELEBRATE PLACE, PEOPLE, AND PURPOSE
														Exclusive interview with Sébastien Carre, Group Head of Hospitality at Red Sea Global Hospitality
With more than three decades in luxury hospitality, what continues to fuel your passion for creating world-class guest experiences?
What continues to drive me is the sense of discovery that comes with every new project. Saudi Arabia is incredibly disruptive at the moment, surprising the world and emerging as a completely new destination. For people like us who have spent our lives crafting experiences across the world, this is an extraordinary new playground.
The quality of the resorts, the pristine coastline and the heartfelt nature of Saudi hospitality make it an enormous canvas for professionals to create on. What excites me most is being part of something that feels authentically Saudi yet resonates with guests from everywhere. Red Sea Global Hospitality is the country’s first homegrown luxury operator. We are built on Hafawah, the Saudi spirit of generosity and intuitive care. Our focus is on creating places that connect people to nature, to culture and to one another.
You can see this philosophy come to life in our first resorts. Desert Rock is carved into the Hijaz mountains, while Shebara rises above a turquoise lagoon surrounded by coral, its mirrored villas appearing to float on water. Each property is entirely different, yet both share the same purpose to celebrate nature rather than compete with it. Together, they set a new benchmark for how luxury can look and feel when it grows out of its environment.
Every day brings new learning and new challenges, and that sense of constant evolution is what keeps me passionate. There is something special about seeing guests react with wonder, because it reminds us that we are part of something that is fundamentally redefining what luxury hospitality can be.

With such an expansive career behind you, what personal philosophies have kept you grounded through the shifts in global hospitality?
I believe hoteliers are humble by nature, because at the end of the day, our purpose is to serve and to create meaningful memories for others. The humanity of this profession is what gives it its purpose and keeps us grounded.
Of course, hospitality is also a business with commercial outcomes, but that is not what drives most of us. The difference between good and great hospitality always comes down to people. Genuine care for guests and for colleagues creates an environment where excellence happens naturally. When you lead with empathy and listen, everything else tends to follow.
Throughout my career, whether in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific or now here in Saudi Arabia, what has remained constant is the respect for people and the recognition that genuine hospitality stems from cultural values, family upbringing and the social codes that define a community. When people share values and feel proud of what they are building together, excellence comes naturally. Whether it’s connecting guests to new cultures or building teams with shared values, it always comes back to people who genuinely want to care for others.
What inspired your transition from Four Seasons’ legacy of luxury to Red Sea Global’s vision of regenerative luxury? Was there a defining moment that made you say, “This is where the future lies”?
After many years with an exceptional organisation that shaped much of my professional outlook, I wanted to be part of something different and The Red Sea offered that possibility. It combines extraordinary natural beauty with a commitment to rethinking how destinations are built and sustained.
When I first visited the region two years ago, the scale of its untouched landscapes left a lasting impression on me. I had travelled to Saudi Arabia many times for business in Riyadh and Jeddah, but I had never imagined that the coastline was so pristine. Flying over the region in seaplanes reminded me of the South Pacific. The lagoons, coral reefs and desert terrain were pristine, protected by a master plan that ensures ninety-nine percent of the area remains preserved, with only one percent designated for development. That level of stewardship is rare in our industry.
As hoteliers, we have spent the past decade focusing more on sustainability, but here it is part of the project’s DNA from the beginning. Seeing regeneration move from intention to measurable reality gives our work meaning. It also resonates with guests and with the new generation of employees who want to be part of something that matters.
This is what convinced me that the future of our industry lies here. We have the chance to redefine what luxury means for the next generation, where comfort and conservation coexist, and where travel truly becomes a force for good.
Having managed world-class resorts across Seychelles, Bora Bora, and Provence, how do you translate those refined operational standards into the DNA of The Red Sea and AMAALA?
Throughout my career, I have learned that local culture shapes how guests connect with a destination. Today’s travellers seek authenticity and moments that reveal a place’s true character. This comes from diversity, meeting people, understanding different ways of life, and connecting with their stories. This philosophy underpins everything we do at Red Sea Global Hospitality. Every property is rooted in its surroundings, whether it is Desert Rock, which sits in the mountains or Shebara that rises from the water, or Thuwal Private Retreat, which offers Saudi Arabia’s first private island for exclusive hire. Each expresses luxury differently, yet all share the same foundation of precision, genuine care, and deep respect for the environment and community.
In Saudi Arabia, guests are discovering a culture still largely unknown to them and are often surprised by the warmth and generosity of the people. Translating that authenticity into our operations is just as crucial as maintaining international standards. For us, service excellence and local pride go hand in hand.
In every property, we combine operational precision with emotional intelligence, ensuring that international service standards are met while honouring the warmth and authenticity of Saudi hospitality. Our expectations for service, sustainability and design are exacting, but we balance them with Hafawah, the Saudi spirit of warmth, sincerity and intuitive care. That is how we transform global excellence into a Saudi-born expression of luxury.
As hospitality becomes more purpose-driven, how do you inspire teams to align with RSG’s regenerative tourism vision, beyond the traditional guest-service mindset?
The key is aligning with the purpose of a generation rather than trying to convince them. We integrate regeneration and sustainability into our master planning and priorities, so people can see for themselves, without being pitched, that this is who we are.
Many of our team members join because they already share that sense of purpose. There is strong pride and belonging, especially among young Saudis who are deeply connected to their homeland and its progress. They understand that by joining the tourism sector they are contributing not only to an industry but also to a national vision.
That pride, combined with strong family and community bonds, is what makes Saudi hospitality so genuine. It comes from upbringing, from values that have been passed down through generations.. The kindness and generosity you experience here are not scripted, they are simply part of who people are. That authenticity is what makes this new era of hospitality so meaningful.
When team members believe so deeply in what they are doing, that authenticity becomes contagious. It shows in every guest interaction, and it travels organically through word-of-mouth and social channels. Many of our guests come from countries where we have done zero marketing, simply because the experience is disruptive and worth sharing.
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