Marriott International recently launched Gelişim Okulu in Türkiye. The first edition started with 60 students in September 2024. Gelişim Okulu is a four-year programme between Marriott International and TÜROB 50 Yil Meslek Ve Teknik Anadolu Lisesi, where students aged between 14 to 18 years will complete their studies for a high school diploma while receiving practical training across Marriott’s hotels in Istanbul.

The first accredited Dark Sky Park in the Kingdom and in the GCC, AlUla has been recently recognised as a stargazing abode for enthusiasts, owing to its unobstructed and unpolluted night sky views. Dark Sky International has recognised two specific locations in AlUla as being Dark Sky Parks: AlUla Manara and AlGharameel Nature Reserve. This most recent accreditation of Dark Sky Park lends itself to the ambitions of the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) to develop the region further with regards to stargazing, astro-tourism, and solidify the location as a hub for astro and space sciences.

The 29th edition of Routes World, kicked off between October 6 and 8, 2024 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, marking its debut in the Kingdom of Bahrain. This esteemed event drew over 2,300 delegates, representing 230 airlines and 530 airports worldwide. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Mohamed bin Thamer AlKaabi, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications; Fatima bint Jaafar Al Sairafi, the Minister of Tourism; Sara Ahmed Buhiji, Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, Khalid Hussain Taqi, Gulf Air Group Chairman; and other distinguished guests.

Last month, Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, invited guests to indulge in an exquisite culinary journey ‘Taste of Shangri-La’ that showcased the best of the hotel’s signature dining destinations. Throughout the month, Bord Eau by Nicolas Isnard a contemporary French cuisine restaurant and Shang Palace the signature Chinese restaurant presented refined gastronomic experiences, each offering a unique taste of luxury and flavour. Food enthusiasts explored unique dining experiences across two signature restaurants offering guests a chance to experience a diverse range of cuisines at an exceptional value.

Kamah Hotels & Resorts, an upcoming luxury and wellness brand, recently announced a major partnership with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Together, they have signed a $70 million (Dh 257,110,000) deal to develop four new hotels–one in Dubai and three in India–under the Trademark Collection by Wyndham. The exclusive signing ceremony was attended by dignitaries from all parties, including Dimitris Manikis, President of EMEA, and Panos Loupasis, Market Managing Director of TMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Govind Mundra, Head of Development for the Middle East and Africa at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, to name a few.

WeRide, a global leading autonomous driving technology company, and Uber Technologies, Inc., the world’s largest mobility and delivery technology platform, recently announced a strategic partnership to bring WeRide’s autonomous vehicles onto the Uber platform, beginning in the UAE. The partnership is expected to launch first in Abu Dhabi later this year. A dedicated number of WeRide vehicles will be made available to consumers using the Uber app. After launch, when a rider requests a qualifying ride on the Uber app, they may be presented with the option to have their trip fulfilled by a WeRide autonomous vehicle.

Taiba Investments, a leader in Saudi hospitality and real estate, has unveiled a strategic partnership with Hilton to bring the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand to the holy city of Madinah. Signed during the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) World in Dubai, this agreement underscores Taiba Investments’ ongoing expansion into the high-end hospitality market and further reinforces the company’s commitment to elevating Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector by partnering with world-renowned hospitality companies such as Hilton. Set to open in 2028, Waldorf Astoria Al Madinah will mark the debut of the award-winning brand in Madinah.

The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC), by Hotelschool The Hague, announced the Winner of its 2024 edition during the grand finale at the Future Hospitality Summit World in Dubai. This year’s competition, which brought together 7 visionary student teams from across the globe, celebrated groundbreaking innovations set to reshape the future of hospitality. Francine Aclan, Emma Doherty, and Roodabeh Elavia from Cornell University were crowned the Overall Winner for their pioneering project, ‘PYRO’.