The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Tourism has signed a series of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with leading global hotel brands to launch the “Hospitality Ambassadors” programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s hospitality workforce through international on-the-job training (OJT).
Vatel Bahrain has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hilton Bahrain City Centre Hotel & Residences to strengthen collaboration in hospitality education and workforce development.
Sheraton Kuwait Hotel has marked its 60th anniversary, celebrating six decades as a landmark in Kuwait’s hospitality sector. Opened in 1966, the hotel was the first Sheraton property outside the US, the first international hotel in Kuwait, and the first Marriott International-managed hotel in the Middle East and Africa.
Marjan and Wynn Resorts have broken ground on Janu Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, marking the start of construction on the emirate’s first Janu destination, a luxury hospitality and branded residential project scheduled to open in 2029.
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has marked the completion of its inaugural UAE Bootcamp Career Builder Recognition Programme, with 21 young Emirati hospitality professionals graduating from an intensive leadership course at Les Roches Marbella hospitality school in Spain.
Vatel Bahrain has launched “Explore Hospitality,” a two-week summer programme aimed at introducing young people aged 15 to 18 to career opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC) has entered into a strategic partnership with Andaz Capital Gate Abu Dhabi, a five-star boutique lifestyle hotel from top hospitality group Hyatt, to power the property with clean energy, verified through Clean Energy Certificates.
The Gulf hospitality sector is expected to begin recovering in the fourth quarter of 2026 as geopolitical tensions ease, although hotel occupancy is unlikely to return to pre-war levels before the end of 2027, according to S&P Global Ratings.
Knowledge Economic City (KEC) has signed an agreement with Saudi group Alrashid Properties to develop a premium mixed-use project - the Multaqa Residences - in Madinah on a 149,520 sq m area. The SAR1.35 billion ($359 million) project will boast branded residences as well as retail and hospitality assets.
Saudi Wood Expo, the largest and licensed wood exhibition in the kingdom, will be back for its third edition starting from August 30 in Riyadh bringing together international exhibitors and industry professionals from over 20 countries to explore opportunities in the kingdom's $4.1 billion wood sector.
