IDeaS, a SAS company and the world’s leading provider of hospitality revenue management software, is expanding its RMS solution for the cruise industry by working with Miami-based Windstar Cruises, renowned for its intimate ships and yacht-like experiences, to modernize revenue strategy and accelerate growth. With a growing fleet and a wide range of stateroom categories and onboard experiences—from sailing yachts to all-suite yachts—Windstar’s team needs a more precise, scalable way to anticipate demand and calibrate pricing across its portfolio. For Windstar, the collaboration reflects and expands the company’s continued commitment to innovation, including investments in its fleet, renovations, guest experience, and operational improvement initiatives.

This engagement comes at a pivotal moment for the cruise industry. Global passenger volume is projected to reach 38.9 million in 2026, with industry revenue expected to surpass $46.5 billion. For operators like Windstar, capitalizing on this growth requires a more sophisticated approach to forecasting, pricing, and guest value optimization. With Windstar now operating eight ships, specialized technology is needed to manage pricing across itineraries, ship types, and cabin categories. These areas are where IDeaS Cruise Revenue Management System (RMS) delivers a decisive advantage.

Known for delivering personalized, small-ship journeys to hidden harbors and off-the-beaten-path destinations, Windstar’s approach to cruising aligns naturally with IDeaS’ strategy. As part of the agreement, Windstar Cruises will harness the capabilities of IDeaS Cruise RMS to refine and elevate its revenue strategy. Powered by advanced forecasting algorithms, AI and machine learning help the system anticipate demand by market segment and cabin type to support dynamic pricing decisions with greater precision. Total onboard spending also informs the system’s optimization logic enabling a more holistic view of guest value.

These capabilities are helping Windstar advance its modernization goals and move beyond traditional manual and labor-intensive revenue management approaches. As cruise operators increasingly seek smarter, more connected ways to respond to shifting demand, solutions like IDeaS Cruise RMS are setting a new benchmark for timely, data-driven forecasting and pricing decisions.

Crystal Pernici, Global Director, New Ventures at IDeaS, said: “Cruise lines are at a pivotal moment. The manual revenue management practices traditionally used in this industry are no longer enough to keep pace with evolving market dynamics. We are proud to bring our Cruise RMS technology to Windstar’s prestigious boutique fleet—helping teams anticipate demand, understand guest value, and make faster, more confident pricing decisions as conditions change. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to the cruise industry, and we’re excited to support Windstar as it modernizes its commercial strategy.”

Victor Valencia, VP of Revenue Management at Windstar Cruises, said: “With an expanding fleet, our team needs to revenue manage with a level of precision and speed that simply can’t be done on an Excel sheet. IDeaS’ cruise-specialized RMS will help us anticipate demand more accurately and adjust pricing accordingly across our portfolio. This enables us to make smarter decisions while continuing to invest in the Windstar programs and experiences our guests value most.”

The cruise industry continues to expand, with operators racing to modernize revenue strategies and make the most of every sailing. By combining advanced algorithms with total guest-value insights, IDeaS Cruise RMS supports more precise forecasting and more responsive pricing across market segments and cabin types. With Windstar now on board, IDeaS further expands its footprint in the cruise industry, building on decades of leadership in hospitality revenue management and reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in innovation.

Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa, has further strengthened its leadership team and operating platform through regional offices as it enters a new phase of accelerated growth.

With more than 50 hotels in operation and over 30 properties in the pipeline across 23 countries and 39 cities, Aleph Hospitality continues to scale its capabilities to support owners and partners across the region. As part of this expansion, the company has appointed several senior leaders at its offices in Dubai and Casablanca.

Aline Barhouche has been appointed Chief HR Officer, leading the company’s people strategy across its growing portfolio. She oversees leadership development, talent management, culture, and governance while working closely with the executive team and hotel leadership to build strong leadership pipelines and support local teams. Aline brings 23 years of Human Resources experience across Oceania, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Estelle Chambost has moved into the position of Vice President, Learning & Development after ten years with the company. In her new role, she leads the strategy to build a strong learning culture across the organisation, focusing on developing future leaders and leveraging technology and partnerships to deliver scalable development programmes. Estelle has 27 years’ experience in hospitality and emerging leaders programmes.

Marc Matar joins as Vice President, Food & Beverage with a mandate to develop Aleph Hospitality’s F&B division into a key driver of growth and value creation. His focus includes innovation, operational excellence, and owner-focused profitability across Africa and the Middle East. Marc has 25 years of experience in food and beverage, operations, and strategy across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.

As part of its strategy to build strong local leadership and operate closer to its hotels and owners, Aleph Hospitality has also begun rolling out new regional offices. In addition to the one already open in Riyadh, a new office is being set up in Casablanca, Morocco, with additional offices planned in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Cape Town, South Africa; and Nairobi, Kenya.

Based in Casablanca and leading the company’s operations in North Africa, Abdellah Essonni has been appointed Regional Vice President for North Africa. With 35 years of experience in hospitality and real estate across four continents, Abdellah oversees the strategic, operational, and financial performance of the region’s portfolio, while driving market expansion, partnerships, and new management and franchise agreements. His appointment reflects Aleph Hospitality’s strategy of empowering experienced regional leaders with full accountability for performance, development and owner relationships.

Bani Haddad, Founder and Co-CEO of Aleph Hospitality said: “Our continued growth reflects the strength of our business model and the increasing demand from hotel owners for an experienced independent operator in the region. By strengthening our leadership team and expanding our regional presence, we are building the capabilities needed to support our next stage of growth and deliver long-term value for our owners.”

Having reached its long-standing goal of operating 50 hotels by 2025, Aleph Hospitality has now set a new milestone: operating 100 hotels by the end of 2029, reinforcing its position as the largest independent hotel management company in the Middle East and Africa.

Leading local and international brands, together with some of Dubai’s most respected chefs, have come together to support the people at the heart of the hospitality sector through ‘Family Meal’. Led by The Art of Hosting (TAOH) in collaboration with Equiti Group, Sole, Jack Daniel’s, Essentially, Moloobhoy & Brown, Plus 1 Communications, Freedom Studio, and food supply partner Aramtec, the initiative reflects a unified, community-driven effort.

Following its first successful meal distribution on 10^th April, the initiative will continue across two further Fridays, 17^th and 24^th April, with a total of 1,500 gourmet meal boxes prepared and delivered to support staff across the hospitality sector. Each box includes a main course, side dish, dessert and beverages, with fresh juices provided by Essentially, thoughtfully curated to deliver a high-quality, chef-led dining experience.

At its core, the initiative responds to ongoing challenges within the sector, supporting individuals across the entire hospitality ecosystem, from bartenders, waiters, chefs and baristas to hostesses, supervisors and back-of-house teams. By delivering meals directly to those affected, Family Meal reinforces a message of support from within the industry itself.

All meals are prepared centrally at Aramtec’s kitchen facility in Al Quoz, where participating chefs collaborate with the TAOH team to develop and execute their menus. From there, distribution is managed through TAOH’s fleet of catering vans, supported by volunteers, ensuring meals reach communities across Satwa, Bur Dubai, Deira, Karama and Sharjah.

Participating chefs include Chef Milan Jurkovic (21grams) bringing Balkan heritage into a contemporary, sustainability-led culinary style; Chef Hadrien Villedieu (Chez Wham), with a career shaped alongside globally renowned chefs and now leading collaborative dining experiences through his “Coolabs” series; Chef Ahmad Halawa, a former advertising professional now hosting Levantine dining experiences; Chef Elias Kandalaft (TAOH), founder of award-winning catering company Pinch Gourmet and co-founder of The Art of Hosting; Chef Earl Roland (TAOH), drawing on experience across Michelin-starred kitchens and international restaurant openings; Chef Robert Jhan (Aramtec), a Chef de Cuisine with 16+ years’ experience in high-volume kitchen operations; Chef Sultan & Kinda Chatila (Eleven Green) having transitioned from a Fortune 500 leadership role to co-found a purpose-driven food concept; and Chef Shaw Lash (Lila Taqueria) focused on authentic Mexican cuisine rooted in traditional techniques and heritage ingredients. Alongside additional culinary talent, each bringing their expertise to create meals that reflect both quality and care.

Kiah Khan, CEO of The Art of Hosting, said: “As a catering and events company, we didn’t want to sit on the sidelines. Our hospitality community is struggling, and we feel a responsibility to give back. That’s what has led us to create Family Meal, bringing together local chefs and corporate partners who wanted to give back and support the industry. Together, we’re showing up for our community when it matters most. This is hospitality with a purpose.”

Rajat Malhotra, Partner, Sole, commented: “Hospitality got hit first and it got hit hard. We’re grateful for the opportunity to step up, with our industry partners, to support some of our brothers and sisters who make this city a better place to live. We’re all in this together.”

Sara Kayan, Head of People at Equiti Group, shared: “At Equiti, we believe giving back is not just a responsibility, but a reflection of our shared humanity. Through Family Meal, we are honoured to support individuals across Dubai with dignity, care, and compassion, helping to uplift lives and foster a deeper sense of connection, inclusion, and resilience within our community.”

“For chefs, cooking has always been about more than food — it’s how we express care. When the people who make this industry run are struggling, the kitchen is the only answer we know. Every plate we’ll prepare through this initiative carries that same intention: to nourish, to show up, and to remind our community that they’re not forgotten,” added Elias Kandalaft, Chef and co-founder of The Art of Hosting.

Each meal box is branded with Family Meal and partner logos, serving as a visible reminder of the collective effort behind the initiative. By bringing together leading brands, culinary talent and volunteers, Family Meal demonstrates how the hospitality industry can unite in times of need, not only to serve, but to support its own. Individuals are invited to further support the initiative by paying forward a meal for a hospitality worker, with each meal box priced at AED 45.