SAUDI ARABIA. The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) concluded today in Riyadh after two days of compelling presentations and discussions featuring government leaders, hospitality investors, owners, and commercial operators.
The Moodie Davitt Report was on hand as part of our deepening coverage of the wider Saudi travel and tourism ecosystem. The event was held at the Riyadh Airport Marriott Hotel.
Under the theme Reimagined Horizons, a superb two-day conference programme at FHS Saudi Arabia addressed the future of hospitality, hotel development, destination impact, aviation, sustainability, restaurant investment and human capital in the Kingdom.
With change and innovation seen as key drivers of the Kingdom’s future, a ‘Lead the Change’ pitch competition was designed to celebrate the industry’s changemakers.
An open mic session led by judges Tim Peck, Chairman OBM International, and Rohan Ranade, Associate Vice President Real Estate & Development for the Indian Hotels Development Company Limited (IHCL), saw nine finalists take the stage for three minutes. Each had to present how they are a change leader in the hospitality industry through their innovations, leadership, or sustainable practices.
Finalists covered a wide range of topics from changing the way hotel management agreements are struck in the region to the importance of developing a culture of collaboration to drive growth. Other subjects included how the hospitality industry can be elevated by sensory experiences; keeping food production and consumption as close as possible; and the opportunity to enrich the guest experience by combining physical and virtual reality experiences as part of a hotel’s service offering.
The judges, with the help of delegate votes in an open poll, named Sally Alkatat, Senior Manager Development Middle East & Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts, the ‘Lead the Change’ winner.
“We manifested those future needs in launching new brands and adapting our hotels operations across Saudi and the region to align with KSA’s vision of sustainable tourism. Our journey focuses on implementing leading innovations with sustainable footprint and a zero-carbon emission target inspired by global successful practices in the hospitality and other industries.”
The Finalists
- Bani Haddad – Founder & CEO of Aleph Hospitality
- Sally Alkatat – Senior Manager Development Middle East & Africa at IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Sarah Jane Grant – Director at LXA
- Rahaf Alaish – Student at the Glion Institute of Higher Education
- Atul Chopra – Founder & CEO of Fresh On Table
- Abdullah Al Muslemani – CEO of Crown & Co
- Gauthier Guillaume – CEO & Creative Director at GG & Grace International
- Kristina Zanic – CEO at Kristina Zani Consultants
- Olivier Ponti – Vice President at ForwardKeys
We’ll bring you further details of the event soon.
Note: The Saudi Travel & Tourism Ecosystem Report, to be published in July in Arabic and English by The Moodie Davitt Report, will take a deep dive into one of the world’s most exciting, environmentally conscious, investment-heavy and fast-growing travel, tourism and aviation markets.
Contents include:
- Vision 2030 – featuring the world’s most ambitious tourism blueprint
- Saudi Arabia’s tourism revolution: How state and private interests are transforming the sector
- Red Sea Global – CEO John Pagano on an “epic” regenerative giga-project
- In profile: Riyadh Airports company transforms its consumer proposition
- Tourism Development Fund: Unlocking the Kingdom’s vast potential
- Hilton: Interview with an emerging super-power in Saudi tourism
- How the Saudi Air Connectivity Program is bringing the world to Saudi Arabia
- The fast-evolving airport commercial landscape: From duty free to food & beverage to advertising
- Lagardère Travel Retail on the Saudi opportunity
- daa International builds its Saudi footprint
- Jedco looks forward
- Saudi Airlines Catering Company – from inflight retail to catering
- Accor: Full speed ahead for the hospitality giant
- Diriyah Gate Development Authority: The extraordinary story of Saudi Arabia’s first cultural heritage destination
Plus interviews with key figures across the country’s tourism, aviation, retail and mixed-leisure sectors
Publishing in Arabic and English this July.
For details please contact Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com
