Studio M Arabian Plaza opened in Dubai last month as the first Studio M in the Middle East region and the first property to be introduced under the ‘M collection’ portfolio under Millennium Hotels & Resorts in the UAE. With a total inventory of 323 rooms and serviced apartments, the three-star property is targeting tech-savvy travellers and long-term guests looking for a fusion of function and comfort.

Hilton is bringing its 50th property in the UAE with the signing of twin projects in Ras Al Khaimah. DoubleTree by Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Corniche Residences and the Conrad Marjan Island Resort. Hilton has had a presence in Ras Al Khaimah for more than 15 years and this development will further strengthen its position in the rising emirate.

Members of Marriott International’s award-winning loyalty programmes - Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to get up close and personal with Finnish Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport driver, Valtteri Bottas during the 2018 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The experience was made possible for members who redeemed their points for Moments as part of its partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport .

Prague Congress Centre organised its first completely sustainable event, in which more than 60 per cent of waste was saved. Everything from the decorations and refreshments were made in accordance with the zero-waste idea, using only handmade items from natural, reusable or already recycled materials.

IHG signed a management agreement with ACICO Gulf Real Estate to rebrand Nassima Royal Hotel to voco Dubai, marking the first signing of voco, IHG’s new upscale hotel brand, in the Middle East. Pictured at the signing are Kenneth Macpherson, CEO EMEAA at IHG with Ghassan Alkhaled, CEO and vice chairman of ACICO Group.

AviaDev Europe, the dedicated air service development event for Europe is coming to Valencia, Spain. Antonio Bernabe, director general, Turismo Valencia, said, “We are delighted to announce that AviaDev will return to Valencia. The premise of the event is essential to the success of regional air connectivity, particularly following our latest announcement of surpassing seven million passengers in 2018. We are delighted to be driving this event forward.”

Abu Dhabi International Airport has launched of an interactive walkway which converts the footsteps of travellers into off-grid electricity and data. The 16-square metre energy harvesting walkway connects two terminals with the prospect of handling two million passengers a month. The footsteps of around 8,000 travellers per day are being captured and converted into electrical energy to track footfall data and power lighting along the walkway as they pass between Terminals 1 and 3 of the airport.

Caesars Bluewaters Dubai kicks off its events calendar with a three-week run of Tenors of Rock starting December 2018. Located on Dubai’s newest island oasis, Caesars Bluewaters Dubai is the first ever non-gaming resort from the legendary Caesars Brand. Headline acts are Tenors of Rock, followed by Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream winner of the Best Magic Show of Las Vegas award.