Hospitality

Student accommodation and senior living among key assets shaping GCC’s future real estate market – Cavendish Maxwell

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2026

Student accommodation and senior living concepts are key to shaping the GCC’s real estate sector over the next decade, according to leading real estate advisory and property consultancy, Cavendish Maxwell.

These and other concepts like serviced living, co-living, private clubs, shared ownership and other professionally managed residential developments represent some of the region’s biggest future investment opportunities, as traditional lines between where people live, stay, work and socialise are becoming increasingly difficult to define, the company said.

Branded residences – a sector in which the Middle East is leading the way in terms existing and pipeline projects – will remain an important market component, but the next chapter is set to become much broader, according to Cavendish Maxwell experts.

Zacky Sajjad MRICS, Director of Business Development and Client Relations, Cavendish Maxwell, said: “For much of the past decade, the GCC’s residential and hospitality story has been dominated by luxury, with branded residences, five-star hotels and increasingly ambitious mixed use developments helping cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh stake their claim on the global investment map. The next 10 years are likely to see a shift towards co-living across several concepts, with market fundamentals underscoring the demand.

“Governments across the region want to attract new international talent, grow tourism, expand universities, increase home ownership and diversify their economies. At the same time, populations are growing and becoming more internationally diverse, while the expectations of residents are changing. Increasingly, people are not simply buying or renting four walls; they want convenience, flexibility, community, services and experiences.

“This changes the conversation for developers and investors. It is no longer a question of whether to build residential or hospitality: it’s about understanding who will live there, how they want to live, what services they value and what they are prepared to pay for them. The GCC continues to demonstrate an extraordinary ability to deliver high-quality real estate at scale and, with the economic and demographic changes taking place across the region and strengthening the case for new concepts, there is a real opportunity for investors and developers to apply that capability to a wide and diverse range of alternative living concepts that will further enhance the strength of the property sector,” he added.

While not every international model will translate directly into a GCC context, they will work if adapted appropriately. Co-living in London, student accommodation in Manchester or senior living in the United States cannot simply be replicated in Dubai or Riyadh without considering local demographics, cultural expectations, affordability, regulation and family structures.

“Take senior living as an example,” said Zacky Sajjad. “With the rising cost of living, accommodation and care in countries such as the UK, the UAE is potentially an attractive alternative for internationally mobile retirees seeking a high quality of life, safety, connectivity, year-round sunshine and access to high-quality healthcare and hospitality led services. Rather than replicating the traditional retirement home model there is an opportunity to rethink senior living altogether combining independent living, hospitality, wellness, healthcare and community.

“The same argument can be made for purpose-built student accommodation. The UAE’s higher education sector has expanded considerably with a growing university ecosystem and ambitions to attract more students from across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and further afield. As that population grows and becomes increasingly international there is a logical opportunity for professionally managed accommodation designed specifically around student needs, incorporating community, security, amenities, technology and study facilities,” he added.

Cavendish Maxwell also believes that co-living also deserves greater attention, particularly in Dubai. Although they are now starting to moderate after sharp rises since the pandemic, residential rents can be unaffordable for some residents, particularly young professionals and those newly arriving in the city. A professionally managed co-living model could provide a more flexible and accessible entry point while offering something traditional house sharing often does not, purpose designed communal areas, services, amenities and a genuine sense of community.

Zacky Sajjad continued: “These examples demonstrate why alternative living sectors should not simply be viewed as concepts imported from mature international markets. The GCC has a golden opportunity to create its own versions, drawing on one of the region’s greatest strengths – hospitality. The result could be a new generation of hospitality-led living concepts sitting somewhere between traditional residential and hotel accommodation and responding to how people increasingly want and need to live.

“Data and market intelligence is critical in identifying genuine gaps in demand rather than following the latest property trends. The next stage of the GCC property market will not only be about building more homes or hotels, but more about creating more sophisticated choices for living and delivering the next chapter in the region’s real estate success story.”

Hospitality

From AMAYA to MYA: Dubai Mall Dining Destination Refines Its Global Identity

Published

2 hours ago

October 8, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

AMAYA is now MYA. As the brand expands its regional and international presence, a unified name gives every location one voice and every guest one clear promise. MYA supports consistency across its growing portfolio of destinations while preserving the energy, hospitality and attention to detail established in Dubai.

The Dubai-born dining and lifestyle brand has refined its name as part of its continued growth: one concise name that can be recognized, remembered and expressed with equal confidence in every market. MYA is shorter by design, creating greater clarity across destinations, partnerships, communications and digital platforms.

The refinement is precise. MYA carries forward the same founder and leadership, the same team, the same concept, the same culinary direction, the same standards and the same distinctive guest experience. Everything that earned the trust of AMAYA’s guests remains at the heart of MYA.

“Strong brands grow through clarity, consistency and trust. MYA gives the name we have built a sharper global expression. Our people, standards and guest experience remain exactly the same. One name. One vision. One uncompromising standard, built in Dubai and continuing forward as MYA.”

– Murat Tutuncu and Moe Ezzat | Founders & CEO, MYA

MYA’s purpose is clear – to give the established Dubai-born hospitality brand a shorter and more consistent name as it grows across destinations. The shorter name increases recognition, the unified name strengthens consistency, and the same standards give the brand the foundation to grow confidently across cultures and geographies.

Hospitality

The New Rules of Natural-Looking Rejuvenation

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

Exclsuive interview with Dr. Dragana Spica, Specialist Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon, Aesthetics by King’s College Hospital London – Dubai

When patients talk about wanting to look more refreshed or rejuvenated, how important is skin quality and tightening alongside changes to facial volume and shape?

Looking refreshed is about much more than restoring volume or enhancing facial contours. Skin quality plays a central role in how youthful and healthy a person appears. Even when volume loss is addressed with fillers or fat transfer, poor skin texture, laxity, pigmentation, or reduced collagen can still contribute to a tired appearance.

A comprehensive rejuvenation approach combines attention to facial structure with treatments that improve skin quality and firmness. Technologies that stimulate collagen production, skin tightening procedures, and regenerative treatments can significantly enhance results. When healthy, firm skin is combined with balanced facial proportions, patients tend to achieve a more natural and refreshed appearance rather than an over-treated look.

When it comes to body transformation, what are the most common concerns patients are looking to address through contouring and sculpting?

Most patients are not necessarily looking for dramatic weight loss. Instead, they want to improve body proportions and address stubborn areas that do not respond to diet and exercise. Common concerns include excess fat deposits, loose skin following weight loss or pregnancy, and a lack of definition in certain areas of the body.

Many patients seek contouring to create a smoother silhouette, improve waist definition, refine body balance, or restore confidence in their appearance. Increasingly, body contouring is viewed as a way to enhance overall shape and harmony rather than simply reduce body size.

What are some of the most common concerns patients come to you with when it comes to skin laxity, body contouring and overall body shape?

Skin laxity is one of the most frequent concerns, particularly after significant weight loss, pregnancy, or as part of the natural ageing process. Patients often report loose skin around the abdomen, upper arms, thighs, neck, or lower face. In terms of body contouring, many individuals are concerned about localized fat deposits that persist despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Others are seeking improved body proportions, whether through waist contouring, abdominal refinement, thigh reshaping, or enhancement of areas that have lost volume over time. Ultimately, most patients want results that look natural and complement their unique body structure rather than conforming to a single aesthetic ideal.

Body contouring has become an increasingly important part of aesthetic care. Which areas of the body are patients most interested in sculpting and refining?

The abdomen remains one of the most commonly requested areas for contouring and sculpting, followed closely by the waist and flanks. Patients are also frequently interested in refining the thighs, upper arms, back, and under-chin area.

There has also been growing interest in body-shaping procedures that enhance overall proportions, such as creating a more defined waistline or improving the contour of the hips and buttocks. What is particularly notable today is that patients increasingly view the body as a whole, seeking balanced and harmonious results rather than focusing on a single area in isolation.

How has the conversation around targeted fat reduction evolved, particularly among patients who are looking for definition rather than significant weight loss?

The conversation has shifted considerably over the past few years. Patients are now much more informed and understand that body contouring is not a substitute for weight loss. Instead, they are seeking targeted refinement and improved definition.

Many patients are already close to their ideal weight and simply want to address stubborn pockets of fat that obscure muscle definition or affect body proportions. The focus has moved toward precision, customization, and natural-looking outcomes. Today’s patients often ask how they can achieve a more sculpted appearance while maintaining a healthy, authentic look, and treatment plans are increasingly tailored to support those goals.

In modern aesthetic practice, body contouring is less about reducing size and more about enhancing shape, proportion, and confidence through personalized treatment strategies.

Hospitality

Pai Thai Welcomes Blue Elephant for a Four-Hands Celebration of Thai Cuisine

Published

3 days ago

October 5, 2026

Integrator Web-Editor

This October, Pai Thai at Jumeirah Al Qasr invites guests to an exceptional weekend of Thai gastronomy. On 16 and 17 October, the award-winning dining destination welcomes Blue Elephant founder, Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe to Dubai, where she joins Head Chef Amara Mahayothee for a limited series of four-hands dinners and an intimate culinary masterclass.

Across two evenings, the chefs will present three- and five-course menus combining dishes from Pai Thai and Blue Elephant. Among the highlights are “Naam Dokmai” green mango lobster salad, prepared with mango from Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe’s native province; organic green chicken curry with Thai sweet basil and kaffir lime leaves; and ribeye with Blue Elephant Black Diamond garlic, GI pepper and a hint of truffle.

The dinner menu draws upon recipes with personal and historical significance. The jumbo river prawn tom yum replicates the traditional version served during the period of King Rama V in the late nineteenth century. Uniting Emirati dates with Thai mung bean and jasmine essence, the date cake dessert is inspired by a recipe from Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe’s late mother. These stories bring the collaboration’s wider narrative of heritage and tradition to the table while connecting Thai culinary techniques with its Dubai setting.

On Saturday 17 October, the chefs take guests beyond the dining room with a hands-on masterclass exploring four Thai favourites: Yam Som O, Chor Muang, Gaeng Phed Goong and Khao Niew Ma Muang. Participants will discover the techniques and cultural stories behind each recipe before enjoying a seated three-course lunch at Pai Thai.

Event details:

Four-Hands Thai Dinner

Dates: 16 and 17 October 2026
Time: 18:00 onwards
Price: AED 395 per person for the three-course set menu; AED 695 per person for the five-course set menu. Beverages are available à la carte.

Four-Hands Thai Masterclass

Date: 17 October 2026
Time: 11:00 to 14:30
Price: AED 695 per person, including a three-course lunch and soft beverages; AED 895 per person, including a three-course lunch with wine pairing

Beyond the collaboration, Pai Thai continues to bring the flavours of Thailand to the enchanting setting of Jumeirah Al Qasr, inviting guests to savour a refined expression of Thai cuisine over dinner daily from 18:00 to 22:30, or during Kin Samrap Lunch, served Friday to Sunday from 12:30 to 14:30 and extending to a daily lunch offering from November.