Hospitality
Barceló Hotel Group Expands Egypt Presence with Occidental Cairo Grand Museum Opening
Barceló Hotel Group announces the opening of Occidental Cairo Grand Museum, a 207-key, modern four-star urban retreat in the Egypt capital. With an exceptional location near the iconic Pyramids of Giza, situated opposite the Grand Egyptian Museum, the property promises a central base from which to discover the city’s rich history and culture.
Occidental Cairo Grand Museum marks the Spanish hotel group’s second property in Cairo, further strengthening its presence in Egypt. The opening represents another milestone in the company’s expansion strategy and reinforces its position across Middle East and North Africa, a region with significant potential for tourism growth. It also demonstrates the group’s ability to identify strategic assets in high-value locations and develop distinctive offerings tailored to international demand.
Occidental Cairo Grand Museum, A Gateway to Discover Egypt
Occidental Cairo Grand Museum brings contemporary style to one of Cairo’s most historic settings. It features 207 rooms and suites, showcasing contemporary design and thoughtful comforts, promising a calm retreat after a day of exploring. Guests can cool off in the rooftop pool, recharge at the spa and wellness centre, or stay active in the fully-equipped fitness centre. For business travellers, a versatile 266-square-metre meeting space features modern audiovisual technology and accommodates events of up to 60 guests.
Dining is designed to take guests from relaxed daytime meals to memorable evenings overlooking the city. The main restaurant serves a selection of varied international dishes, while the hotel’s bars offer distinct settings for every occasion, from casual drinks at the Champs Sports Bar to quiet moments in the welcoming Lobby Bar. The standout Stage Skybar & Lounge can be found on the rooftop, where cocktails, sunset skies, and panoramic views of the Pyramids of Giza come together for an unforgettable end to the day.
Cairo, A Growing and Increasingly Established Market
Egypt continues to establish itself as one of North Africa’s most dynamic tourism markets, supported by its developing infrastructure and unique cultural heritage, which has been further enhanced by landmark projects such as the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Within this growing tourism landscape, Cairo continues to strengthen its position as a key emerging market, attracting leisure travellers drawn to its historic heritage as well as business and incentive travellers.
“Cairo is a strategic location due to its iconic appeal, commercial importance, and ability to offer rich cultural experiences. The addition of Occidental Cairo Grand Museum enhances our presence in this strategic market and demonstrates the strength of our management model in creating sustainable, long-term value for owners, guests, and destinations,” says José Canals, Chief Operations Officer for the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Asia at Barceló Hotel Group.
Barceló Hotel Group contributes to local economic development through quality employment and support for local businesses. Its operations in Egypt sustain 1,876 direct and indirect jobs, with permanent employment levels above the industry average. The group also sources entirely from approved local suppliers, 70% of which are based in the immediate area, generating more than €4 million in revenue for these businesses.
In line with its Barceló ReGen sustainability strategy, the group is committed to a responsible growth model that combines tourism development with the creation of shared value for local communities by generating economic opportunities, supporting employment, and encouraging growth of local businesses. As a result, each new opening expands the group’s international presence and actively contributes to the social, economic, and environmental progress of the destinations in which it operates.
Hospitality
Qatar Airways Unveils Onboard Signature Music Created in Partnership with Award-Winning Composer Hans Zimmer
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.
Hospitality
Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Wins Sustain Sharjah Award for Second Year Running
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.
Hospitality
Qatar Airways Connects Doha to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia with First Flight
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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