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99 SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT ENTERS A NEW ERA OF CULINARY LEADERSHIP AND GLOBAL EXPANSION

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In a defining moment for one of the region’s most celebrated, MICHELIN-starred Japanese dining brands, 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant announces a bold new chapter in its evolution – one marked by strategic talent investment, renewed culinary direction, and an unwavering commitment to long-term growth.

At a time when the hospitality landscape across the UAE continues to evolve, 99 Sushi remains steadfast in its belief that challenge breeds opportunity. The brand is doubling down by investing in exceptional talent, expanding its footprint, and reinforcing the culinary vision that has earned it a MICHELIN Star for three consecutive years at its Four Seasons Abu Dhabi flagship, alongside recognition from the world’s most respected culinary guides.

Leading the charge is Chef Thinus van der Westhuizen, who steps into the newly defined role of from Culinary Director of the UAE to Culinary Director for 99 International. Long regarded as the creative force behind 99 Sushi’s kitchen standards, Thinus now assumes global oversight of the brand’s culinary vision – ensuring consistency, innovation, and excellence across every location as the group enters its next phase of international expansion. Under his direction, 99 Sushi’s signature approach of precision Japanese craftsmanship, ultra-premium ingredients, and thoughtful omakase sequences will continue to evolve, informed by the exceptional talent now joining the UAE team.

Joining 99 Sushi Abu Dhabi as Executive Chef is Pedro Banzuzi, a creative force whose pedigree spans Michelin-starred kitchens and internationally awarded fine dining institutions across Europe and the Middle East. During his last role as Head Chef at Taiko Dubai, Sofitel The Obelisk, the restaurant earned three distinctions at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards 2025 (Best Japanese Cuisine, Best Luxury Hotel Restaurant, and Best Food Styling & Presentation) and a Gault & Millau UAE rating of 12/20.  With a wealth of experience at award-winning, premium restaurants, Pedro brings to 99 Sushi a culinary sensibility defined by technical precision, creative ambition, and a strong command of Japanese and European fusion cuisine.

99 Sushi Dubai also welcomes a new Chef de Cuisine, Chef Timothy Edwards, a highly experienced culinary professional with over nine years in professional kitchens spanning four continents. Most recently Chef de Partie at The WB™ Abu Dhabi Hotel, Timothy has built a career defined by range and international depth. His experience includes a senior chef de partie role at The Potluck Club, part of Luke Dale Roberts’ acclaimed restaurant group in South Africa; a tenure at Highway Shukudo in Okinawa, Japan, where he led the Yakitori station and deepened his affinity for Japanese culinary tradition; and an earlier role as Sous Chef at The Commodore Hotel, South Africa. A meticulous kitchen leader with a natural ability to mentor and inspire, Timothy brings to 99 Sushi’s Dubai team both the technical rigour and cultural adaptability.

The arrival of this new leadership comes at a moment of strong global momentum for 99 Sushi. The brand is set to open in Budapest at the end of April 2026, followed by a flagship launch in London’s Mayfair at the end of May 2026, marking its debut in the United Kingdom. In September, 99 Sushi will introduce Tanjun by 99, an exciting new concept opening at Time Out Market in Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, bringing a distinct yet familiar 99 Sushi experience to one of the capital’s most vibrant cultural destinations. These openings, spanning Central Europe, the United Kingdom, and the UAE, reflect the brand’s confidence in its identity and its readiness to scale.

Group CEO of Ninety Nine SB Investment L.L.C, Jaime Castañeda comments on the recent team development and global expansion, “We have always believed that the strength of a brand is tested not during moments of ease, but during periods of change. The talent we are bringing into 99 Sushi today, and the venues we are preparing to open, are a direct expression of our long-term confidence in this brand and in the markets we serve.”

Grounded in two decades of culinary excellence and accelerating into a future defined by growth and scalability, 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant enters this new phase with its most compelling team yet who will continue to serve award-winning, luxury Japanese dining experiences in the UAE and beyond.

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Hospitality

Qatar Airways Unveils Onboard Signature Music Created in Partnership with Award-Winning Composer Hans Zimmer

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Qatar Airways today unveiled its new onboard signature music, created in partnership with world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer.

Inspired by Qatar and its culture, Qatar Airways’ new onboard music brings a distinctive sound identity to the passenger experience through its collaboration with the iconic composition of Hans Zimmer. The music is also featured on the ‘Burgundy Symphony’ album, a bespoke five-track album that encapsulates the airline’s wider sound identity and signature sound elements.

The collaboration brings together Zimmer’s acclaimed cinematic storytelling and Qatar Airways’ commitment to delivering memorable experiences, creating a recognisable sound that reflects the emotions, moments and memories that define travel.

The launch was celebrated at Hans Zimmer’s highly-anticipated concert in Doha on 6 November, where audiences were given an exclusive first look at the story behind the collaboration through a specially created film on the creative process and inspiration behind Burgundy Symphony, alongside a preview of the music. Qatar Airways passengers can experience the new composition onboard from today.

The Burgundy Symphony album captures the rhythm of travel through five original tracks, each reflecting a different stage of the journey:

Dawn opens the collection with a sense of anticipation and possibility experienced when stepping beyond the daily routine and discovering new horizons.

Dusk reflects the tranquillity of flight as daylight fades and travellers are carried above the clouds beneath a sky illuminated by stars.

The Orchard introduces a restorative pause, inspired by moments of calm and reflection amidst the pace of everyday life. The inspiration for the composition is drawn from the sense of escape offered by the ORCHARD – one of Hamad International Airport’s most distinctive passenger experiences.

Homecoming reflects the quiet gift of returning home and the small but lasting ways travel enriches life. The track encapsulates the adventure continues beyond touchdown, with memories of places and skies keeping moments of wonder alive long after the journey ends.

An Ode to Qatar, concludes the album with a tribute to the nation’s rich heritage and forward-looking vision. The piece brings together a sense of history, culture, and ambition, reflecting a country where tradition and progress exist in harmony.

Following the unveiling, Burgundy Symphony is now available on the Qatar Airways YouTube channel, inviting audiences around the world to experience Hans Zimmer’s original compositions inspired by the journey of travel and the spirit of Qatar Airways.

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Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Wins Sustain Sharjah Award for Second Year Running

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Coral Beach Resort Sharjah has won the Sustain Sharjah award for Hotel Properties at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2026, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). This marks the resort’s second consecutive recognition under the initiative.

The accolade acknowledges the property’s progress at Level 2 of the programme’s Explorers journey, structured around four core pillars: Guest, Experience, Local, and Story. Across each pillar, the resort has prioritised measurable, practical measures that engage guests, support the surrounding community, and ensure transparent sustainability reporting.

Central to this achievement are three primary operational initiatives:

  • Onsite water bottling plant: Replaces single-use plastics with reusable glass bottles, eliminating approximately 300,672 plastic bottles annually.
  • Winnow AI food-waste system: Weighs and monitors kitchen waste in real time, enabling culinary teams to curb excess directly at source.
  • Onsite biodigester: Installed in 2026, making the property the first hotel in Sharjah to process organic waste entirely on site.

Commenting on the achievement, Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, said: “Securing the Sustain Sharjah award for the second consecutive year is an honour for our entire team. Initiatives such as our water bottling plant, AI-driven waste monitoring, and onsite biodigester reflect our daily operational commitment—one shared with our guests, partners, and the local community. We thank the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority for this recognition and for their steady leadership in advancing sustainable tourism across the emirate.”

Coral Beach Resort Sharjah is a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and continues to align its operations with broader international climate targets.

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Qatar Airways Connects Doha to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia with First Flight

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Qatar Airways has inaugurated its new twice-weekly service connecting Doha with Caracas and Bogotá. The service represents a significant milestone for the airline, as Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate nonstop services from the Middle East to both Bogotá and Caracas. The new route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening global connectivity for the region and is operated on Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.

Qatar Airways flights to Caracas (CCS) and Bogotá (BOG)

Qatar Airways’ flight schedule has been designed to provide smooth onward connections through Hamad International Airport to key markets including Australia, China, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. This offers passengers greater flexibility and seamless transfer options across Qatar Airways’ global network of over 170 destinations.

Departing every Wednesday and Sunday:

Doha (DOH) to Bogotá (BOG) – Flight QR783: Departure 07:35; Arrival 16:25

Bogotá (BOG) to Caracas (CCS) – Flight QR783: Departure 17:55; Arrival 21:00

Caracas (CCS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR783: Departure 23:30; Arrival 20:35

The addition of Caracas and Bogotá marks the 16th and 17th destinations in the Americas served by Qatar Airways. The airline began serving South America in 2010 with its inaugural flight to Brazil’s São Paulo.

The airline has recently expanded its partnership with LATAM to include LATAM Airlines Colombia, offering travellers greater access to the region. Qatar Airways will place its code on LATAM-operated flights between Bogotá and key domestic destinations including Cartagena, Armenia, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Leticia, Medellín, Montería, Neiva, Pereira, Pasto, Riohacha, San Andrés Island, Santa Marta, and Yopal.

Qatar Airways continues to strengthen global connectivity, serving more than 170 destinations this winter. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile app.

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