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Hospitality
Hospitality Is Still a People Business—Even in the Age of AI
Exclusive interview with Ayman Ezzedine, Director of Development Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan, Radisson Hotel Group.
How is FHS going so far for you?
It’s very good, actually. It’s been busy. We had some great meetings, meet some industry peers as usual, catch up.
A lot of us have been in the game for a long time. So, it’s always good to see people from the past and always meeting new ones as well.
This event, you know, we’re all in the hospitality business here. So, the hospitality from the hosts, from the organizers and even our competitors or peers, we call them. It’s very nice. And then the owners. So, it’s a great industry. And it’s about hospitality.
Ayman, you’ve been in the industry for quite a while now. Can you share what shaped your approach towards development in developing such complex markets such as Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan?
It’s interesting when you put it Middle East, Egypt, Pakistan, and there are three completely different. Even in the Middle East, you know, you have UAE, you have Saudi Arabia, you have Lebanon, the Levant. So, every country has its own set of challenges, experiences, culture. Coming from the industry, starting out in operations, traveling, meeting, we start to understand the different cultures and how to work with different people.
So that starts, becoming the base. So now when I’m in negotiations with an owner from Pakistan, I go back on my experience of first working with colleagues from these different regions and start to understand their culture. Somebody once told me that Ayman, you speak Arabic, so you’ll do well in Egypt, because Egypt is a very interesting market for us.
The difference is you have to understand the culture, not just the language. So that’s, I think, it’s just understanding culture and then you could expand to them.
In your view, what is the differentiation, when it comes to understanding between a successful hospitality development project from a mere profitable one?
It always depends. Some projects are being done by the government for a greater good. Some are by owners who want to give back to the community. They want better training for staff from their hometown.
And some are purely for financial profit. Each one has its own incentive and its own. So, you really have to understand what the owner is looking for and make sure that we are aligned together.
From my experience, what’s a successful project hotel is one that meets three, four, five of those criterias. One, give back to the community, offer the guests what they want, staying true to our brand values, you know, and making money because we are a business event.
With KSA and Dubai evolving quickly, how have you personally experienced and observed the talents and expertise migration that are shaping the competitive landscape today?
The change has been, I mean, especially KSA in the recent, the recent changes have been such an advanced pace. It was a bit shocking and even for us disbelief at the beginning, but the level of expertise that is now available, you know, in Saudi Arabia, we’ve never had a franchise. Now we already have two, just because now we believe that this expertise exists in Saudi Arabia and we can be more relaxed and approach this opportunity. So, it’s becoming more of a mature market.
UAE has always, has been mature for a while, but it’s changing and it’s also adapting to the changes around the region and working closer with the Saudi market. So, I don’t think they’re competing with each other while they’re working and they’re finding their different niches and complementing.
can you share your insights on how AI and predictive analytics are influencing a smoother guest experience?
I’m still a paper and pen kind of guy, but UAE cannot negate the role that AI is having on the hospitality industry and the future for us to use it. It’s obviously for analyzing what guests like, how we act, what would they like us to do to present to them? So, it’s a tool that we have to use, but at the end, we are a people business.
It’s about the hospitality that comes from person to person. So, we have to learn and continue to learn how we can use AI to enhance that experience. And as people change, the information is out there now. We just cannot completely depend on AI. We got to keep the people in it as well.
Grand Iftar by Mövenpick Bur Dubai
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai invites guests to experience The Grand Iftar, a refined Ramadan celebration hosted across two distinctive venues, thoughtfully designed for meaningful moments of togetherness.
Gather with family, friends, and colleagues over a generous Iftar buffet showcasing a curated selection of Arabic specialities and international favourites. Signature highlights include Chef Feras’ lamb ouzi, slow-cooked for over 12 hours, alongside classic Ramadan dishes such as chicken shish taouk, beef kebabs, and lamb kofta, served at Fountain Restaurant and The Garden.
The experience continues at Garden Lounge, an elegant outdoor setting featuring live BBQ stations with premium meats, chicken, and seafood. Guests can unwind under the open sky with shisha available, while enjoying live entertainment in a warm and inviting Ramadan ambience.
Details:
Date: Throughout Ramadan | Time: Sunset – 10:30 PM | Seating: Indoor and outdoor available | Venue: Fountain Restaurant, The Garden & Garden Lounge
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai
Suhoor at The Garden Lounge
Unwind under the open sky at The Garden Lounge and enjoy a relaxed Suhoor experience in an elegant outdoor setting. Guests can savour traditional and international à la carte dishes, refreshing mocktails, and a wide selection of shisha flavours, complemented by live oud/qanoon music for a serene late-night Ramadan atmosphere.
Details:
Date: Throughout Ramadan | Time: Until 3:00 AM | Venue: The Garden Lounge
Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Bur Dubai.
This February, One&Only Royal Mirage invites guests to celebrate love in its most elegant forms. Throughout the month, indulge in the Valentine’s Afternoon Tea at Lobby Lounge and Samovar Lounge, featuring the romantic pairing of chocolate and roses. For those seeking shared moments of serenity, the spa offers intimate couple rituals, while Eauzone presents an unforgettable evening beneath the stars on Valentine’s Day itself. Each experience is designed to evoke connection, indulgence, and timeless romance in the resort’s serene coastal setting.
ROMANCE UNDER THE STARS
An Intimate Valentine’s Evening Beneath the Open Sky: Celebrate the magic of Valentine’s night surrounded by candlelight, gentle sea breeze, and the soft hum of the waves at Eauzone. Begin your evening with two glasses of sparkling wine before indulging in a four-course menu crafted for sharing and savouring together. Every detail from the rose petals to the intimate table setting evokes elegance, warmth, and connection.
INTIMATE GAZEBO UNDER THE STARS
A Private Celebration of Love and Connection: For those wishing to celebrate in complete seclusion, Eauzone offers an exclusive private gazebo experience set amidst candlelight and the shimmering night sky. Begin with a sparkling welcome, followed by a meticulously curated four-course dinner, Champagne, flowers, and sweet indulgences all served with discreet, dedicated attention in a setting designed for cherished memories.
Chocolate & Roses Themed Valentine’s Afternoon Tea Celebration: In honour of the month of love, this February, guests can immerse themselves in an afternoon of refined indulgence with One&Only Royal Mirage’s Valentine’s Afternoon Tea. Inspired by the classic pairing of chocolate and roses, this carefully curated experience features delicate flavours of chocolate, rose, raspberry, and lychee alongside savoury selections including duck breast with beetroot, blue cheese, and caramelised onion. Set in the elegant ambience of either the Lobby Lounge or Samovar Lounge, offers guests the perfect way to celebrate love in an intimate, relaxed setting.
TOTAL HOLISTIC DUO RITUAL
A Shared Journey of Balance, Relaxation, and Connection: Reconnect with your loved one through a deeply restorative ritual designed exclusively for two. The experience begins with personalised facials in the privacy of a serene couple’s suite before surrendering to a harmonising full-body massage. The experience restores balance and invites you both to unwind, rejuvenate, and embrace calm together.
COUPLES HAMMAM EXPERIENCE
Indulge in Shared Serenity and Timeless Wellness: Step into a sanctuary where Moroccan wellness rituals meet contemporary luxury. The journey begins with aromatic steam, gentle exfoliation, and soothing treatments that prepare your body and mind for a shared 30-minute massage, leaving you radiant, relaxed, and perfectly in tune.
VALENTINE’S BASTIEN MANICURE
Perfectly Polished for Your Special Moment: Prepare for your celebrated evening with a Signature Bastien Manicure focusing on refined nail and cuticle care, complemented by a deeply relaxing forearm, wrist, hand, and finger massage. Finished with the colour of your choice, this experience ensures every detail is as flawless as your occasion.
This Ramadan, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island invites guests to embrace the spirit of togetherness through elegant and thoughtful dining experiences. From a refined Iftar at the Yas Grand Terrace to a tranquil late-night Suhoor and tailored group gatherings, every detail has been considered to create moments that honour the essence of the holy month.
IFTAR AT YAS GRAND TERRACE
Set against the calm backdrop of Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Grand Terrace at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island offers a refined Iftar experience crafted to celebrate the spirit of Ramadan. Guests can break their fast with a thoughtfully curated menu that highlights time-honoured flavours, comforting dishes, and indulgent desserts. Whether gathering with family, friends, or colleagues, the elegant outdoor setting and warm hospitality provide the perfect atmosphere to reflect, reconnect, and enjoy the season.
Date & Timings: Throughout Ramadan | From Sunset onwards
SUHOOR AT HILTON ABU DHABI YAS ISLAND
Extend your evening with a relaxed Suhoor experience in a serene setting, perfect for unhurried gatherings and quiet reflection. The menu features comforting favourites and Ramadan classics, served in an atmosphere designed for peace and connection before the day begins.
Date & Timings: Throughout Ramadan
GROUP RAMADAN GATHERINGS
Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island welcomes group bookings for corporate Iftars, family celebrations, and private Suhoors. With flexible event spaces and attentive service, each gathering is tailored to ensure a seamless and meaningful experience for all.
Date & Timings: Throughout Ramadan
MÖVENPICK HOTEL BUR DUBAI -RAMADAN LISTINGS
CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S WITH THAT SPECIAL ONE AT ONE&ONLY ROYAL MIRA
EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF RAMADAN AT HILTON ABU DHABI YAS ISLAND
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