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

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.
Hospitality
10 REASONS WHY SIYAM WORLD IS THE MALDIVES’ ULTIMATE SUMMER PLAYGROUND

Think summer in the Maldives is all about sipping cocktails and doing absolutely nothing? You could. But at Siyam World Maldives, you could also swim with sharks, race electric go-karts, become a certified mermaid, train with football legends and explore one of the Maldives’ newest shipwrecks, all before deciding what is for dinner. Because normal island holidays are not really our thing. Here are 10 reasons why Siyam World is turning up the fun this summer.
1. Dive into the Maldives’ Newest Obsession
Some resorts have house reefs. Siyam World has a shipwreck. The newest underwater attraction in Noonu Atoll is a 66 metre former Maldivian tuna freighter that now rests beneath the surface, ready to be explored by divers and marine life alike. Today it is an exciting new wreck dive. Tomorrow it will become a thriving artificial reef. Not bad for a retired fishing boat.
2. Train with Football Legends
This August, young football fans can swap the local pitch for paradise as former Premier League stars Andrew Johnson and Wayne Routledge arrive at Siyam World for two exclusive football camps. Not every summer holiday comes with professional coaching and ocean views. 10th – 14th AUGUST 2026 – Andrew Johnson / 15th – 19th AUGUST 2026 – Wayne Routledge. For kids between the ages of 5-12 years. More info here:
3. Swim with Sharks. Brag About It Later.
Swimming with sharks sounds terrifying. Until you realise these are gentle nurse sharks and curious sea turtles gliding through crystal clear waters. A three-hour snorkelling trip suddenly becomes one of those holiday stories you will tell for years.
4. The Floor Is Lava. The Water Park Is Not.
The Maldives’ biggest floating water park is basically an invitation to unleash your inner child. Climb it. Jump off it. Race your friends. Repeat.
5. Become a Mermaid. Seriously.
Some people come home from holiday with a tan. Others leave Siyam World with a mermaid certificate. This Try Mermaid Pool Program includes one session in the pool, all the equipment you’ll need as well as a certificate of completion. We know which one sounds more fun.
6. Golf, But Make It Shipwrecked.
Take on the Shipwrecked golf challenge, compete with friends and maybe even win resort credit while you are at it. Losing gracefully is optional.
7. Saddle Up, Maldives Style
Horse riding is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Maldives. That is exactly why we love it.
8. Dinner Underground, Island Style
Hidden beneath the island, Barrique is home to exceptional wines, curated menus and one of the most unique dining experiences in the Maldives. Choose between multiple course gourmet tasting menus that are served surrounded by hundreds of world-renowned vintages, where our sommelier is ready to take you through a wine journey that you will never forget. Because even adventure seekers need a sophisticated evening now and then.
9. Swap Flip-Flops for Pole Position
Who says paradise cannot come with a little friendly competition? Siyam World’s electric go-karts bring speed, excitement and plenty of laughs to the island, proving once again that this is a destination designed for those who like their holidays with a side of adventure.
10. Take on the Delmare Golf Challenge
Add a competitive twist to your stay with Siyam World’s golf challenge at Shipwrecked. Guests have the chance to win resort credit while enjoying a fun and social activity set against the backdrop of the ocean. Fun fact, the gold balls are fish food.
To make the most of summer, Siyam World is offering an exclusive limited-time offer with up to 45% off best available rates, complemented by added benefits including complimentary shared seaplane transfers on selected stays, USD 150 resort credit per bedroom, and a one-time floating breakfast for longer stays. Guests can enjoy the full Premium 24-hour WOW! all-inclusive experience, with up to two children under 12 staying and dining complimentary. The offer is available for bookings until 31 August 2026, for stays until 31 October 2027. Then tell us again that the Maldives is only for doing nothing.
Hospitality
IDEAS NAMED A LEADER IN INAUGURAL IDC MARKETSCAPE FOR HOSPITALITY REVENUE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
IDeaS, a SAS company and a provider of AI-powered hospitality revenue management software, today announced it has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Revenue Management Systems in Hospitality 2026 Vendor Assessment.[i]
The recognition comes as hospitality revenue management enters a new era, evolving from standalone pricing tools into integrated commercial intelligence platforms. According to the IDC MarketScape, “The hospitality revenue management system market is at a genuine inflection point. The convergence of AI maturity, platform consolidation, and expanding commercial scope is redefining what an RMS is expected to do and for whom.”
Dorothy Creamer, Senior Research Manager, Hospitality and Travel Strategies, IDC, noted “Differentiation emerges with vendors that believe genuine automation requires a rigorous forecasting foundation, not just rules that appear to run themselves.”
The IDC MarketScape further highlights IDeaS’ broader commercial capabilities, noting that “the company has built a portfolio of commercial capabilities around its core RMS, spanning business intelligence, total revenue planning, portfolio management, function space optimization, and marketing demand management.”
From Automation to Decision Intelligence
“This is a turning point for hospitality,” said Dr. Ravi Mehrotra, President, Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at IDeaS. “The industry is moving beyond surface-level automation toward decision intelligence built on rigorous forecasting science, explainable AI and connected data. Hotels don’t need more recommendations; they need confidence in every decision they make across the business. That’s the shift I believe this recognition reflects.”
Mehrotra continued, “As pressure mounts to respond faster to changing market conditions, hotels are rethinking how they connect revenue decisions with broader commercial strategy. We believe the IDC MarketScape emphasizes that the most effective systems are those that balance advanced automation with transparency and control, enabling teams to act quickly while maintaining trust in the underlying models.”
Beyond Pricing: A Broader Commercial Role
The IDC MarketScape also highlights a clear industry shift: “The hospitality technology stack has gotten thornier, with more integrations, more booking channels, and simply more data sources that are often highly siloed and fragmented.”
That shift is already accelerating. IDeaS recently reported strong adoption of its broader commercial strategy solutions, reflecting growing demand for technologies that unify revenue, marketing, sales and operational decisions into a single, coordinated approach.
And as hotel teams are increasingly tasked with making faster, more complex decisions across multiple functions, IDeaS continues to expand its capabilities to meet this need. By bringing together revenue management, business intelligence, financial planning and portfolio-level insight into a unified commercial framework, IDeaS helps organizations make more confident decisions across the business.
But as these commercial decisions become increasingly AI-driven, confidence depends not only on automation, but also on understanding how and why decisions are made.
Trust as the Foundation of AI-driven Decisions
As AI adoption accelerates, explainability has become a defining requirement for revenue management. The report highlights that revenue managers must be able to understand and defend the logic behind system-driven recommendations, reinforcing the importance of transparency alongside automation.
“AI without trust is just noise,” added Mehrotra. “The future belongs to systems that don’t just automate decisions, but make them understandable, actionable and aligned with how hotels actually operate.”
To learn more about the IDC MarketScape assessment and what it means for hospitality revenue management, download an excerpt of the paper here.
Hospitality
BEACH STAYS, THE VIDA WAY SWAP THE MARINA FOR THE BEACH, SOAK UP THE SUNSHINE, AND MAKE EVERY STAY A LITTLE MORE UNFORGETTABLE.

Your Dubai stay just unlocked its ultimate plot twist. Check into Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club, then swap skyline views for shoreline bliss with complimentary beach access at Address Beach Resort on selected room categories. Morning coffee by the marina, afternoon swims by the sea, and golden hour back at the yacht club? That’s a holiday itinerary that just makes sense.
Think less choosing between city and coast, more having both. Lounge by the beach, enjoy exclusive savings at the beach outlets, then head back to the energy of Dubai Marina. With complimentary access for children below 12 years too, it’s the kind of summer upgrade that gives you two iconic Dubai experiences in one stay.
Date: Until 30 September 2026
Offer:
– Complimentary beach access at Address Beach Resort for selected room categories
– Complimentary return transfers between Vida Dubai Marina and Address Beach Resort
– Complimentary beach access for children below 12 years
– 20% savings on food and beverages at the beach outlets
Venues: Vida Dubai Marina & Yacht Club and Address Beach Resort
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