Hospitality
Hospitality Is Still a People Business—Even in the Age of AI
Exclusive interview with Ayman Ezzedine, Director of Development Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan, Radisson Hotel Group.
How is FHS going so far for you?
It’s very good, actually. It’s been busy. We had some great meetings, meet some industry peers as usual, catch up.
A lot of us have been in the game for a long time. So, it’s always good to see people from the past and always meeting new ones as well.
This event, you know, we’re all in the hospitality business here. So, the hospitality from the hosts, from the organizers and even our competitors or peers, we call them. It’s very nice. And then the owners. So, it’s a great industry. And it’s about hospitality.
Ayman, you’ve been in the industry for quite a while now. Can you share what shaped your approach towards development in developing such complex markets such as Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan?
It’s interesting when you put it Middle East, Egypt, Pakistan, and there are three completely different. Even in the Middle East, you know, you have UAE, you have Saudi Arabia, you have Lebanon, the Levant. So, every country has its own set of challenges, experiences, culture. Coming from the industry, starting out in operations, traveling, meeting, we start to understand the different cultures and how to work with different people.
So that starts, becoming the base. So now when I’m in negotiations with an owner from Pakistan, I go back on my experience of first working with colleagues from these different regions and start to understand their culture. Somebody once told me that Ayman, you speak Arabic, so you’ll do well in Egypt, because Egypt is a very interesting market for us.
The difference is you have to understand the culture, not just the language. So that’s, I think, it’s just understanding culture and then you could expand to them.
In your view, what is the differentiation, when it comes to understanding between a successful hospitality development project from a mere profitable one?
It always depends. Some projects are being done by the government for a greater good. Some are by owners who want to give back to the community. They want better training for staff from their hometown.
And some are purely for financial profit. Each one has its own incentive and its own. So, you really have to understand what the owner is looking for and make sure that we are aligned together.
From my experience, what’s a successful project hotel is one that meets three, four, five of those criterias. One, give back to the community, offer the guests what they want, staying true to our brand values, you know, and making money because we are a business event.
With KSA and Dubai evolving quickly, how have you personally experienced and observed the talents and expertise migration that are shaping the competitive landscape today?
The change has been, I mean, especially KSA in the recent, the recent changes have been such an advanced pace. It was a bit shocking and even for us disbelief at the beginning, but the level of expertise that is now available, you know, in Saudi Arabia, we’ve never had a franchise. Now we already have two, just because now we believe that this expertise exists in Saudi Arabia and we can be more relaxed and approach this opportunity. So, it’s becoming more of a mature market.
UAE has always, has been mature for a while, but it’s changing and it’s also adapting to the changes around the region and working closer with the Saudi market. So, I don’t think they’re competing with each other while they’re working and they’re finding their different niches and complementing.
can you share your insights on how AI and predictive analytics are influencing a smoother guest experience?
I’m still a paper and pen kind of guy, but UAE cannot negate the role that AI is having on the hospitality industry and the future for us to use it. It’s obviously for analyzing what guests like, how we act, what would they like us to do to present to them? So, it’s a tool that we have to use, but at the end, we are a people business.
It’s about the hospitality that comes from person to person. So, we have to learn and continue to learn how we can use AI to enhance that experience. And as people change, the information is out there now. We just cannot completely depend on AI. We got to keep the people in it as well.
Hospitality
Rohini Refreshes Its Summer Menu with Two New Lassi Blends


Rohini, the award winning Indian restaurant at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, is welcoming the summer season with a new lassi line, bringing two refreshing blends to the menu: the vibrant Very Berry Lassi and the rich Khoya and Coconut Lassi. A refreshing classic, blended to perfection with authentic flavours and a touch of indulgence, the new additions offer guests a cooling counterpoint to Rohini’s daring, spice forward menu.
Known for reimagining Indian classics with a bold, contemporary edge, Rohini has built its identity around unexpected pairings and vibrant presentation, and the new lassi line follows that same spirit. The Very Berry Lassi blends the traditional yoghurt base with fresh, tart berries for a bright, summery profile, while the Khoya and Coconut Lassi leans into rich, creamy notes for a smoother, more indulgent finish. Both are designed to sit comfortably alongside Rohini’s signature dishes, whether as a palate cooling accompaniment or a stand alone treat.
The launch reflects Rohini’s ongoing commitment to keeping its menu responsive to the season, giving regulars and first time diners alike a reason to return as temperatures rise. Guests are invited to explore the delightful selection of refreshing blends crafted to complement the Rohini experience, and discover their favourite sip. The lassi line is now available at Rohini, located within Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Cluster A, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai.
Hospitality
MAKE A WEEKEND OF UFC 333 WITH A STAY AT YAS PLAZA HOTELS


The excitement of UFC 333 is making its way to Etihad Arena ahead of the main fight on Saturday, 24th of October. For fans planning to visit Yas Island, Yas Plaza Hotels brings together six distinct stays, with plenty to enjoy before and after the action.
Yas Island offers an array of stays to complement the energy of fight weekend, giving visitors the perfect opportunity to recharge before the action and unwind after the final bell. Yas Plaza Marina brings a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere, while Yas Plaza Circuit provides a welcoming base for families. Those seeking a more peaceful escape can enjoy the nature-inspired surroundings of Yas Plaza Mangroves, while Yas Plaza Bay offers spacious family suites. Crowne Plaza Yas Island adds a touch of Mediterranean charm, and Staybridge Suites Yas Island caters to guests seeking additional space and comfort with its apartment-style suites. With something to suit every travel style, the excitement extends well beyond the Octagon.
Across the collection, guests can enjoy shared access to pools, wellness and sports facilities, as well as 21 dining venues. It’s an easy way to turn fight night into a longer island escape, with time to gather over a meal, unwind by the pool or make the most of Yas Island between bouts.
Hospitality
Sun Siyam Expands Its Maldives Guest Offering with Five Distinctive Halloween Experiences
White sands. Crystal-clear lagoons. Palm trees swaying in the breeze. Not exactly where you would expect to come face-to-face with a horror icon, wander through the strange world of Beetlejuice or find little witches and superheroes trick-or-treating beneath coconut palms. Yet every October, Sun Siyam proves that Halloween and paradise make an unexpectedly perfect match. Across the collection, guests can choose their own Halloween adventure. Lose yourself inside a cinematic horror of Cult Classics production at Siyam World, step into the delightfully strange universe of Beetlejuice at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, celebrate Maldivian traditions beneath the stars at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, embrace relaxed beachfront festivities at Sun Siyam Iru Veli, or watch little monsters set off on tropical trick-or-treat adventures at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef. Whatever your Halloween personality, there is an island waiting.

Where horror becomes a holiday
At the centre of it all is Siyam World, where Halloween has become something of a legend in its own right. Never one for a handful of pumpkins and a themed buffet, the resort returns with CULT CLASSICS, its boldest Halloween production yet. Inspired by the cult horror films that defined generations, guests are invited to step inside an interactive walkthrough where every corner reveals another surprise. Live performers, cinematic sets, immersive storytelling and unexpected encounters blur the line between audience and performance, creating an experience that is as theatrical as it is thrilling. Survive the walkthrough and the night is only just beginning. The experience unfolds into a spectacular live production, where cinematic storytelling, immersive sets, theatrical performances and unexpected encounters blur the line between audience and show. It is horror, but with a distinctly Siyam World twist: bigger, bolder, brilliantly over the top and impossible to experience from the sidelines. And when the scares give way to the after-party, DJ and music producer SARRA takes over the decks. Blending Afro House, Afro Tech House, Indie Dance and Latin House, her sound moves through deep grooves, layered percussion and global rhythms, bringing a high-energy electronic soundtrack to the night. Known for building sets that evolve with the dancefloor, SARRA will take CULT CLASSICS from immersive horror spectacle into a Halloween party that keeps going long after the final scare.
The Wonderfully Weird Side of Paradise
At Sun Siyam Olhuveli, guests are invited to leave reality behind and enter the wonderfully weird world of Beetlejuice. Inspired by the cult classic, the resort undergoes a dramatic transformation, where black-and-white stripes, glowing green lighting, theatrical installations and playful surprises turn familiar island spaces into an immersive fantasy. From themed cocktails and imaginative dining to roaming characters and live performances, the island embraces the strange from day into night. Taking over the decks is international DJ Giada Brincè, bringing her signature blend of hypnotic Afro House rhythms and sophisticated electronic sounds to the celebration. Having performed across destinations including Monte Carlo, Mykonos and Italy, and built a global following through her live sets and social channels, Brincè will bring a refined but high-energy soundtrack to Olhuveli’s Halloween night. Expect the wonderfully weird, the theatrical and the unexpected, with a seriously good beat behind it.
At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, Halloween meets authentic Maldivian hospitality. Guests gather beneath the stars at Islander’s Grill for a beachfront barbecue showcasing freshly caught seafood, premium cuts and Mediterranean and Asian-inspired flavours before the rhythmic energy of a traditional Bodu Beru performance fills the night. The celebrations continue at Water’s Edge with a lively Halloween DJ party where tropical rhythms keep families and friends dancing late into the evening.
At Sun Siyam Iru Veli, Halloween unfolds at an easy island pace. Young guests begin the day with festive crafts at Turtle Kidz Club before the celebrations move to Chemistry Bar for a lively pool party complete with DJ beats, themed drinks and poolside dining. As evening arrives, the island swaps spooky surprises for barefoot elegance with a beachfront Lobster BBQ accompanied by live music beneath the stars.
Meanwhile, at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, Halloween comes to life with Ocean Haunt, an island-wide celebration where tropical charm meets playful imagination. Families can expect a day filled with music, dancing, face painting, creative crafts and the colourful Little Monsters Parade, while younger guests unleash their creativity decorating ghostly cookies and spooky treats at Turtle Kidz Club. As darkness falls, the festivities continue with a themed beachfront BBQ, where DJ beats, ocean breezes and a touch of island magic transform Halloween into a relaxed celebration beneath the stars. Equal parts family fun and barefoot luxury, Ocean Haunt captures the lighter, more whimsical side of Halloween in paradise.
Whether guests are seeking blockbuster entertainment, immersive fantasy, authentic island celebrations, elegant beachfront evenings or unforgettable family adventures, Sun Siyam offers a Halloween unlike anywhere else in the Maldives. Because Halloween does not have to be wrapped in fog, falling leaves or cobwebs. Sometimes the best scares happen with warm sand beneath your feet, a cocktail in hand and the Indian Ocean quietly watching in the background.
Fear has never looked so good.
For those inspired to swap autumn for the tropics, there has never been a better time to plan an island escape. Sun Siyam Resorts is currently offering a range of exclusive seasonal offers across its Maldivian collection, with added value including savings on accommodation, complimentary transfers, resort credits and signature experiences. Many offers are available for bookings made until 31 October 2026, making Halloween the perfect excuse to discover paradise with a darker twist.
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