Minor Hotels, a leading global hotel owner and operator, has signed a management agreement with Trading Construction Works Organization to operate Avani+ Hanoi, a 310-key hotel in Hanoi’s Bach Mai Ward.

Scheduled to open in 2028, the hotel forms part of a mixed-use precinct anchored by Hinode City, a new lifestyle mall, alongside 1,099 residential and serviced apartments. Located at the intersection of Minh Khai and Kim Nguu Street, the development benefits from a vibrant neighbourhood and convenient transportation links with the city’s Old Quarter a 10-minute drive away.

Avani+ Hanoi marks a continuation of Minor Hotels’ growth in Vietnam, where the group operates four properties under its Anantara and Avani brands – Anantara Hoi An Resort, Anantara Mui Ne Resort, Anantara Quy Nhon Villas and Avani Quy Nhon Resort – along with luxury train carriages, The Vietage by Anantarav. The signing extends the group’s footprint into one of Vietnam’s key metropolitan areas and establishes its first property in the nation’s capital of Hanoi.

The premium lifestyle hotel will bring the Avani brand’s distinctive design and energy to the city, with facilities including an indoor swimming pool and deck, a fitness centre, all-day dining and specialty restaurants along with meeting and function spaces. Avani+ Hanoi’s central location caters to corporate travellers, long-stay and leisure guests.

Avani+ Hanoi and the broader Hinode City mixed-use development are among the latest projects of the Trading Construction Works Organization, a diversified corporation with a presence across real estate, industrial manufacturing and energy sectors.

“This is our first branded hotel in a major Vietnamese city, and the central Bach Mai Ward is the right place to start. Avani+ Hanoi’s prime location gives us a genuine hub in the capital, with strong appeal to both business and leisure travellers seeking a wellconnected urban base.”

Omar Romero, Chief Development and Luxury Officer, Minor Hotels

“This agreement marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with Minor Hotels and reflects our shared vision of bringing international hospitality standards to Hinode City. We are confident that Avani+ Hanoi Hotel will set a new benchmark for premium hospitality in Hanoi while creating lasting value for guests, investors and the wider community.”

Vo Toan Cong, Chairman of Gerbera-II Hospitality One Member Company Limited, a subsidiary of Trading Construction Works Organization.

Discover vibrant community events across AlManshiyah Plaza, AlUla Old Town and AlJadidah Arts District, exclusive resort stays, restorative spa experiences, and the annual date harvest season

AlUla is welcoming visitors to celebrate Saudi National Day amidst its breathtaking sandstone canyons, ancient heritage sites and lively cultural districts of the city. With activities taking place on 23rd and 24th September, this year’s celebration brings together traditional folklore, film screenings, interactive workshops, live music and world-class hospitality within one experiential destination.

Cultural Celebrations and Community Activations

Festivities across AlUla’s key districts will feature National Day decorations, illuminated gateways, standing flags along connecting pathways, and background national melodies, with operating hours varying by location and activity.

The main celebration launches on Wednesday, 23rd September across AlUla’s principal hubs. At AlManshiyah Plaza, visitors can enjoy background National Day music, dedicated children’s activities starting at 8:30pm, two live performances of the Saudi Ardah folklore sword dance at 9:00pm and 11:30pm, and vibrant Farmers Market activities.

In AlJadidah Arts District, live musical performances by the AlUla Music Hub take place at the Shurofat of AlJadidah (balconies), featuring two shows between 9:00pm and 11:00pm, while Madrasat Addeera and the AlJadidah Traditional Arts Studios host an adult embroidery workshop from 6:00pm to 8:00pm to craft a keepsake brooch inspired by Saudi motifs, alongside guided tours of the Madrasat Addeera Visitor Centre. Travelers arriving at AlUla Airport on 23rd September will also be greeted with special National Day arrival giveaways, including flowers, chocolates, and commemorative pins.

Celebrations continue Thursday, 24th September, with storytelling taking centre stage through the Qissa bi Qissa activation at Huna Space in AlUla Old Town. Inspired by UNESCO’s Story Circles methodology, this complimentary storytelling programme led by local Rawi guides offers bilingual English and Arabic sessions from 5:00pm to 7:30pm, allowing participants to connect through shared heritage and community narratives.

Across both 23rd and 24th September, film enthusiasts can gather at Cinema AlJadidah, powered by VOX in collaboration with the Saudi Cinema Association’s Shashtna initiative, presenting three nightly screenings between 8:00pm and 2:00am showcasing acclaimed Saudi short films.

Families with young children can take part in a dedicated interactive programme at the AlUla Public Library featuring face painting and creative activities across five sessions from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. Throughout both days, local Productive Families kiosks and the Green Dew booth lined across Old Town and AlJadidah will showcase regional handicrafts, local snacks, and artisanal goods.

Honouring the harvest

September also marks the annual AlUla Dates Season, running from 18th to 27th September at the Farmers Market in AlManshiyah Plaza, celebrating the destination’s deep agricultural roots and centuries-old date palm cultivation. On 24th September, AlManshiyah Plaza integrates both National Day celebrations and Dates Season activities featuring Saudi Ardah performances, children’s entertainment, and farmers market activities, giving visitors an authentic taste of AlUla’s rich oasis culture and community spirit.

Exclusive hotel stays

For Saudi National Day week, The Chedi Hegra is offering its Emerald Treasures of the Kingdom package directly inside Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests receive a traditional welcome with Arabic coffee and dates, along with a limited-edition gift. The offer includes a Hegra Heritage Bike Tour, an evening Stargazing experience, a National Day afternoon tea or dessert experience, complimentary room upgrades subject to availability, and early check-in and late check-out. Guests also enjoy savings across resort amenities, including 20% off spa treatments and 40% off dining. In addition, the resort’s Prima Classe restaurant features a dedicated Saudi National Day Sharing Experience with a multi-course menu celebrating modern Saudi flavours accompanied by specialty mocktails and Saudi coffee.

In celebration of Saudi National Day, Our Habitas AlUla offers a tranquil retreat with its Saudi National Day Stay Offer for stays between 22nd and 25th September. Guests booking prior to 25th September receive a complimentary villa upgrade, daily breakfast savings on food and beverage outlets, flexible 24-hour check-in and check-out, and a welcome drink upon arrival, while children under 12 stay and dine for free. Outside guests looking to unwind by the water can also purchase the AlUla Pool Day Pass for full access to the resort’s infinity pool.

Banyan Tree AlUla invites guests to settle into luxurious tented villas nestled beneath ancient rock formations. Valid for stays from 22nd to 26th September, the resort’s Saudi National Day package includes daily breakfast, discounts on dining, complimentary stays and meals for kids, flexible 24-hour check-in and check-out, a complimentary upgrade to a pool villa subject to availability and shared access to facilities across both Banyan Tree AlUla and Our Habitas AlUla. For a romantic retreat, couples can choose a Romantic Escape package, complete with daily breakfast, a 90-minute couples’ spa experience, a private dinner at Saffron, and an in-villa romantic bath ritual.

Surrounded by towering rock formations, Shaden Resort features a dedicated National Day promotion for stays between 23rd and 25th September across all room categories, inclusive of daily breakfast and a complimentary dinner. Guests visiting throughout September can also enjoy weekday Sky Cinema outdoor movie screenings under the stars, and weekend poolside sports match broadcasts with mocktails and light bites.

Cloud7 Residence AlUla introduces its Proudly Saudi National Day Offer for guests seeking a vibrant, community-focused bungalow stay. Available to book now for stays from 22nd to 26th September (minimum two-night stay), the package features a 25% discount on bungalow room rates. As an added cultural perk, the offer includes guided tours of the ancient heritage sites of Dadan and Jabal Ikmah, alongside an immersive AlUla Old Town experience.

For Saudi National Day, Dar Tantora the House Hotel is offering its Proudly Saudi package in AlUla Old Town for stays in the Dar Al Luban room category between 22nd and 26th September (bookable until 18th September with a minimum two-night stay). The stay includes a 25% discount on room rates, a traditional five-sense welcome upon check-in, a guided heritage tour of AlUla Old Town, and flexible early check-in and late check-out.

Wellness and spa indulgences

On 23rd September, Our Habitas Spa will offer complimentary sound bath healing sessions for in-house guests, alongside a special offer where booking any massage of 60 minutes or longer unlocks an additional 30 minutes of complimentary spa pampering.

Running through 30th September, Banyan Tree Spa AlUla invites guests to experience holistic treatments combining Eastern and Western wellness philosophies. Guests booking a 60- or 90-minute massage receive 30 complimentary additional minutes or can choose a special 30% discount across 60- and 90-minute massage sessions.

Saudi National Day in AlUla offers a special union of vibrant community tradition, luxury sanctuary and timeless natural beauty, and an extraordinary setting for the national holiday.

Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World today announced the winners of this year’s FHS Awards, presented to exceptional leaders and visionaries in hospitality and tourism at FHS World, taking place from 29 September – 1 October at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.

Representing unparalleled leadership, vision, achievement, excellence and innovation, the accolades will be presented by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman Dubai Holding, Dubai Airports, Emirates Group; President, DCAA, and patron of Future Hospitality Summit, at the FHS Awards ceremony on Tuesday, 29 September.

His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, receives the FHS Leadership Award, recognising his leadership in advancing the UAE’s economic diversification and elevating tourism and hospitality as strategic pillars of national growth, investment and global competitiveness.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, is awarded the FHS Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his decades-long, extraordinary contribution to the global aviation and hospitality industry.

Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS World, said: “FHS Awards are reserved for the industry pioneers and leaders whose dedication and innovation have been – and continue to be – pivotal to the success of the Middle East’s tourism and hospitality industry.  Following nominations from the FHS Advisory Board, we are delighted to name this year’s winners as His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri and Sir Tim Clark, two true visionaries who are respected globally for inspiring excellence and shaping the future of the industry.”

FHS Leadership Award: HE Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri was appointed UAE Minister of Economy in July 2020. Since then, he has advanced the country’s new economic model and elevated tourism as a core pillar of diversification and growth. In June 2025, the UAE Government renamed the Ministry of Economy as the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, with H.E. Bin Touq leading the expanded mandate through 2026. As Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, he has championed the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, integration across the seven emirates, public-private collaboration and a unified national tourism identity. He also led the UAE delegation at the 2025 UN Tourism General Assembly, where H.E. Shaikha Nasser Al Nowais was confirmed as Secretary-General for 2026–2029, the first woman and Emirati to lead UN Tourism.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Sir Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline

As President Emirates Airline since 2003, Sir Tim Clark has driven Emirates’ rapid growth into the world’s largest international airline serving 130 cities on six continents via its hub in Dubai. He has also steered the airline through multiple challenges affecting the aviation industry, including a the Covid pandemic and, more recently, the impact of regional tensions.

Mr Clark has been in the civil aviation business for his entire professional career, joining British Caledonian in 1972, moving to Gulf Air in 1975 and to Dubai 1985, when he became a member of the founding team of Emirates as Head of Airline Planning.

His numerous awards include CAPA Airline Executive of the Year (2022) for his individual influence on the aviation industry, strategic thinking, and innovative direction for the growth of Emirates and the industry. A year later, Future Travel Experience presented him with its first-ever FTE Visionary Award in recognition of his influence in shaping the industry. He has also received Air Transport World’s Lifetime Achievement Award.