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Podcasts
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.
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.
In this episode, Dr. Moath Alyahya, Chief Executive Officer of Knowledge Economic City, explores how Madinah is evolving into a broader investment, hospitality and mixed-use destination. The conversation looks at KEC’s expansion strategy, major developments including Knowledge Gardens and the Islamic World District, changing demand beyond religious tourism, and how new partnerships and investment structures are helping shape the city’s next chapter under Vision 2030.
Video Insights
In branded residences, the biggest tension often sits between control, standards and exit. At FHS World 2026, Elias Hayek, Shareholder & Co-Chair, Middle East and European Hospitality Group, Greenberg Traurig, joined us to discuss his session “Terms, Tensions, and Trade-offs” and the key challenges shaping branded residential development. Elias shared how brands look to protect long-term standards and maintain a relationship with owners’ associations, while developers often seek to monetise and exit once the residential product is sold. It is a critical conversation for anyone involved in branded residences, mixed-use development and hospitality investment.
Hospitality growth often starts in markets others are only beginning to notice. At FHS World 2026, we sat down with Ayman Ezzeddine, Senior Director of Development, Radisson Hotel Group, to discuss Radisson’s regional expansion, from Egypt and Saudi Arabia’s secondary cities to emerging opportunities in Iraq, Syria and Libya. Ayman also shared why FHS continues to be an important platform for reconnecting with the industry, exploring new markets and building long-term partnerships.
Investment in Madinah is moving beyond traditional demand drivers. At FHS World 2026, Michelle Turney of The Bench sat down with Awad Bajsair, Investment Manager, Knowledge Economic City, to discuss the investment outlook for Madinah and how Knowledge Economic City is helping shape the city’s next phase of growth. The conversation explored how new residential, hospitality, retail and mixed-use developments are creating fresh demand beyond religious tourism, while strengthening Madinah’s appeal as a place to live, invest and do business.
Press room
Knowledge Economic City (KEC) has signed two exclusive brokerage agreements with Keller Williams Saudi Arabia and RE/MAX Smart Concept for selected residential buildings within its Al Alyaa project in Madinah. Covering approximately 368 residences, the agreements will support Al Alyaa’s sales strategy and expand its reach among qualified local and international buyers and investors. The agreements were signed during FHS World 2026 in Dubai.
FHS World will return to Ras Al Khaimah in November 2027, taking place at Wynn Al Marjan Island through a joint initiative between RAKTDA, Marjan and The Bench. The event is expected to welcome around 1,200 delegates, 250 investors and 200 speakers from 60+ countries, with a programme focused on hospitality investment, destination development, wellness, branded residences, sustainability, technology and AI.
Cavendish Maxwell identifies student accommodation, senior living and co-living as major emerging opportunities set to shape the GCC real estate market over the next decade. As the lines between residential, hospitality and lifestyle continue to blur, developers and investors are being encouraged to focus on flexible, professionally managed living concepts built around community, services, convenience and changing demographic needs.
Industry news
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.
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.
Advisory Board members offered a treasure trove of insights, recommendations, and strategic ideas aimed at shaping the upcoming event into an industry-defining gathering.
Reports
AI in hospitality is moving beyond the guest interface and into the way projects are designed, delivered, and operated.
Industry Pulse Report | April 2026 Compiled for Hospitality Leaders, C-Level Executives & Industry Stakeholders For the Industry, by the Industry
The Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia 2025 was marked by a rich array of discussions that delved into the evolving landscape of the hospitality sector within Saudi Arabia and globally.