Four in five (79%) travellers in EMEA intend to go on more or the same amount of holidays in 2026 compared to 2025, including 39% who plan to go on an increased number, according to new industry research conducted by Mortar, of more than 22,000 adults across 11 key travel markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Figures from the research, included in Marriott Bonvoy’s 2026 EMEA Ticket to Travel Report, suggest continued overall momentum for the region’s travel sector next year. The average traveller in EMEA is planning five holidays in 2026, with two domestic holidays within their own country, two short-haul breaks (a four-hour flight or less), and one long-haul trip.

United Hospitality Management (UHM), a global leader in luxury and mixed-use hospitality management, has been appointed by Dubai Duty Free (DDF) to operate The Creekside Hotel which was previously managed by Jumeirah. The premium property will relaunch under Accor’s lifestyle-led MGallery Hotel Collection, marking a new chapter for one of Dubai’s celebrated hospitality and sporting destinations.

Aleph Hospitality, the largest independent hospitality management company in the Middle East and Africa, has signed a management contract for the first Tapestry by Hilton branded hotel in Kenya with owner AVA Hotel Limited, further solidifying the company’s position as a leading hotel operator in Kenya and the region.

JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announces the highly anticipated opening of JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo. Marking the second JW Marriott property in Japan, this hotel is located in the heart of Takanawa Gateway City, the city’s newest urban destination billed as the city of the future. With an art and design narrative inspired by Zen philosophy and the natural beauty of Takanawa, the hotel pairs elegance with excellent connectivity and seamless access to the heart of Tokyo and beyond. Conveniently located above the new Takanawa Gateway Station, Tokyo Haneda Airport is about 20 minutes away. The property is within walking distance to Shinagawa Station, which is planned to serve as the terminus for the Chuo Shinkansen connecting Tokyo with other major cities in Japan including Nagoya (40 minutes) and Osaka (65 minutes).

The hospitality industry is knee-deep in budgeting season, and there is no better time to begin equipping hotel teams with the right tools and knowledge to operate efficiently, deliver seamless guest experiences, and maintain brand consistency. One of the most essential components of workforce communication is the Learning Management System (LMS). Today’s technology providers are redefining the way hotel teams are continuously trained, and new, intuitive tools contained within modern LMSs are gaining traction across the industry. Because hotel operations are inherently complex, with multiple departments working together in real time, communication needs to be consistent and error-free. But high turnover rates and language barriers can make that a challenge. This is where user-friendly training tools become invaluable.

As the world’s leading minds in hospitality investment prepare to gather at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai next week for Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World 2025, investors have shared their insights on the trends and strategies that are shaping the future of hospitality investment. FHS World, widely recognised as the Middle East’s premier hospitality investment forum, will see 300+ investors in attendance with more than USD$ 5 trillion asset under management, 40 percent of them coming from non-GCC countries.