In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Hala Matar Choufany, President of HVS Middle East, Africa and South Asia, shares insights from more than two decades of advising hospitality investors, developers and hotel owners across global markets. From navigating geopolitical uncertainty and understanding investment risk to translating hotel performance data into smarter decisions, Hala explores what drives long-term value in hospitality. The conversation also examines emerging investment opportunities in Egypt, the resilience of the UAE market and the evolving role of women in hospitality leadership, drawing on her own journey and the lessons that have shaped her career.

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Ras Al Khaimah is no longer just adding hotels. It is building an entire destination around how people live, work, stay, and play. In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Alison Grinnell of Marjan explores the emirate’s next phase of growth, from integrated master planning and destination resilience to Marjan Island, Marjan Beach and RAK Central. She also discusses the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island, why collaboration across the emirate matters, and how Ras Al Khaimah is creating a hospitality proposition that is distinctly its own.

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Marc Dardenne, CEO of Modon Hospitality, discusses how hospitality is shifting from destination-led travel to experience-led stays, and introduces Afiniti, Modon’s new hospitality brand built around curated experiences including family, adults-only, adventure, urban resort and wellness concepts. He also shares plans for branded residences, expansion beyond Abu Dhabi, and the long-term ambition to build Afiniti into a recognised global hospitality brand.

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In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Director of Tourism Development at the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism, joins us to discuss the UAE’s continued strength as a global tourism and investment hub. The conversation explores what is driving the country’s resilience, how the Ministry is supporting long-term tourism growth, and where the next opportunities are emerging across investment, destination development, infrastructure, talent and lifestyle.

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Institutional capital keeps circling Africa but seldom lands. The hesitation is not about opportunity. It is about trust. Global investors still price African tourism and hospitality as if they are betting on volatility rather than performance.

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Hotel revenues in the UAE surged past AED 26 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 6.3% increase year-on-year, with occupancy rates hitting 80.5%. Minister of Economy and Tourism Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri attributed the growth to strong public-private collaboration, aligned with the UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, which targets a AED 450 billion contribution to GDP by the next decade. Preparations are also underway for the UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit, part of FHS World 2025, which will bring together ministers and senior officials from 53 African nations.

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Advisory Board members offered a treasure trove of insights, recommendations, and strategic ideas aimed at shaping the upcoming event into an industry-defining gathering.

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The recent Advisory Board meeting for the Future Hospitality Summit - FHS World 2025 offered a treasure trove of insights, recommendations, and strategic ideas aimed at shaping the upcoming event into an industry-defining gathering.

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