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Individually, we are a drop, but together, we are an ocean

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2 years ago

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Arada

Interview with Amit Arora, Chief Operating Officer, Arada

What’s your vision for the newly formed Hospitality and Entertainment division?

Connected Life is Arada’s ethos, and collectively we believe that when people and spaces connect, great things happen. We think that the spaces between the homes we build are just as important as the homes themselves, and our goal is to ensure that our communities help people to lead happier, healthier and more meaningful lives. That’s the guiding light behind Arada’s new Hospitality and Entertainment division, which closely complements our other activities by providing a holistic experience that encompasses Lodging, Fitness, Wellness, Food & Beverage, and Entertainment.

Assets include the 10-building Nest student housing complex in Aljada – Sharjah’s largest ever mixed-used megaproject located next to University City – which has over 3,000 keys, as well as exciting new F&B brands like Boost Juice and Hungry Wolves, both of which offer healthy and enriching menus.

We also have an incredible array of family-friendly attractions and other assets including the region’s biggest skate park in Aljada; the 6.6km professional woodland cycling track in our Masaar forested megaproject in Sharjah; our nursery in Aljada which incorporates educational tours around the 130,000 trees based there and Yalla, our e-bike and scooter rental solution in our communities.

Upcoming assets include the Il Teatro performing arts complex in Aljada, and a whole range of new F&B concepts that will enhance our portfolio. Despite launching just seven years ago, Arada has evolved rapidly from being a developer, into a master developer and now into a destination developer, and this new division fully complements that approach.

What motivated Arada to expand into the hospitality sector, and what unique strengths does the company bring to this new venture?

As Arada matures, there’s been a shift from building and selling to building and operating, driving recurring revenue and diversification. This has led to the creation of this new division and the consolidation of leisure assets under a single leadership. With Arada’s hotel projects progressing well and nearing completion, the timing is ideal to initiate in-house hotel operations capabilities.

How is Arada’s existing partnerships with hospitality brands like Armani, The Address, Vida, and Rove?

Arada partners with world-class hospitality brands with long-term agreements. Strategic partnerships add value to real estate launches while offering premium lifestyle experiences to guests and homeowners. Our hospitality and branded residences partnerships include brands as diverse as Anantara, Armani, Rove, The Address and Vida, with more new names in the pipeline. Given the impressive surge in interest in the hospitality industry in the UAE, thanks to the business-friendly regulatory environment and welcoming policies put in place by the local government, we are also considering the launch of our own hotel brand.

How do Arada’s wellness and F&B operations, such as Wellfit and Boost Juice, complement the overall hospitality strategy?

One of Arada’s overall goals is to provide all stakeholders – whether residents, visitors or even its own staff – with the opportunity to enjoy an active healthy lifestyle. Brands like Wellfit and Boost Juice integrate with our assets, such as promoting Boost to Wellfit’s 15,000 active members. Similarly, Manbat sources fresh, locally grown produce straight from Emirati farms for Hungry Wolves, which serves nutritious meals. This cross-promotion drives a sustainable and circular economy.

What innovative concepts and strategies do you plan to implement to differentiate Arada’s hospitality offerings in a competitive market?

Innovation is central to Arada’s culture, and this is immediately obvious from a visit to one of our communities, from the uniqueness of the landscaping to the smart technology that is incorporated at both a house and city level. That level of innovation is also already evident in many of the assets in this division; if we take Wellfit as an example, the brand is testing state-of-the-art technology that very few operators around the world are using. We’re now seeing industry insiders travelling from the UK and US to see how we run our operations at Wellfit, whereas previously it was the other way around.

Our goal is continue this track record of innovation and implement it across all our assets, including our hospitality offerings. We live in a world where technology is changing the way we live on an almost daily basis; our willingness to embrace these technologies, combined with a lack of legacy processes and equipment means that Arada is best placed to capitalise on these new trends.  

How does Arada aim to create spaces and experiences that promote happiness and well-being for guests and residents?

Care is one of three core principle at Arada, reflecting our genuine concern for customers and employees. Providing a happy, rewarding experience is core to our vision, and all our communities are carefully planned to allow all residents and visitors the chance to enjoy a huge range of activities – dining, sports, entertainment, shopping and relaxation – just a few yards from their front door. At Aljada for example, you can access the biggest family entertainment complex in the northern Emirates, a bustling business park, a next-generation mall, a beautifully designed performing arts centre and plenty of sports, retail and dining options, as well as three international schools and our hotels – all set within impressive green landscaping. You can access all of this within walking distance from your home. Internally, we’ve launched the Arada Cycling Team (ACT) to promote health and happiness and cultivate a work-life balance. And in August, we’re organizing group cycling at Masaar Track to encourage activity and camaraderie, while Wellfit’s ‘Summer Of’ camp will offer a program of activities centered around happiness and well-being for its members, guests, and resident.

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Hospitality

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

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3 hours ago

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November 7, 2026

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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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1 day ago

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November 6, 2026

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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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Hospitality

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

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2026

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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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