Welcome to the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) podcast series. FHS is the world's most influential annual gathering of hotel owners, investors, hotel brands, restaurant leaders, airlines & aviation authorities, destination developers, asset managers, financial groups, consultants and government representatives. For more information, visit futurehospitality.com
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August 20, 202627 min
Episode 155: Building Swiss Hospitality in the Heart of Abu Dhabi
In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Building Swiss Hospitality in the Heart of Abu Dhabi, Georgette Davey, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy - Les Roches, discusses how the Academy is bringing Swiss hospitality excellence to one of the region's fastest-growing tourism and hospitality markets. She shares how hospitality education is evolving to meet the needs of a changing industry, the importance of developing future-ready talent, and why Abu Dhabi is uniquely positioned to become a leading hub for hospitality learning, leadership and innovation.
August 20, 202629 min
Episode 154: Egypt's Hospitality Landscape - Capital Flows, Liquidity and the Road to Maturity
In this episode of the FHS Egypt Podcast, Daria speaks with Amr El Nady, Head of Hotels & Hospitality MEA and Managing Director of the Global Hotel Desk at JLL, about the evolving hospitality investment landscape in Egypt. Amr explores the growing momentum behind the market, including increased participation from regional developers and Gulf capital, continued activity from domestic investors, and hotel development expanding across Cairo, the Red Sea and the North Coast. The conversation also examines what investors are looking for beyond occupancy and ADR, from operating margins and asset competitiveness to governance, transparency and the ability to repatriate capital. Amr highlights that while Egypt offers attractive operating fundamentals and significant room for additional hotel supply, greater transaction transparency and clearer exit pathways will be important in attracting a broader pool of institutional and international capital. Drawing on lessons from more mature hotel investment markets, the episode considers how ownership structures, access to debt, professional asset management, legal frameworks and greater market liquidity could further strengthen Egypt's investment proposition.
August 5, 202621 min
Beyond Heritage: Building Egypt's Next Generation of Lifestyle Destinations
In this episode of the FHS Egypt Podcast, we are joined by Nina Vithlani, Managing Director MENA at Sectorlight, to explore how Egypt can build distinctive, world-class destinations that resonate with local, regional, and international audiences alike. Drawing on her experience working across major projects in Egypt and the wider Middle East, Nina unpacks what makes Egypt such a unique place branding opportunity, and why the conversation is shifting from ancient history and leisure tourism toward luxury hospitality, branded residences, and lifestyle-led development. From Cairo's urban energy to the North Coast's potential as an all-year-round lifestyle destination and the Red Sea's established nature and wellness credentials, Nina breaks down how each of Egypt's key markets can define its own identity without competing with one another. She also addresses how developers can appeal to domestic, GCC, and international buyers without diluting their proposition, and why authenticity and a destination-first strategy are the keys to long-term value. The episode also covers the rise of wellness as a differentiator, the pace of development in Egypt, and the growing need for education and capability-building in selling super-premium branded residences to international investors. Tune in for a candid and insightful conversation about where Egypt is headed, and what it will take to get there.
July 6, 202624 min
Episode 149: Wyndham and the Future of Saudi Hospitality
In this episode of the FHS Saudi Arabia podcast, Daria is joined by Mohamad Haj Hassan, Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, to explore the forces shaping hotel growth in one of the world's most closely watched hospitality markets. The conversation looks at what makes Saudi Arabia such a compelling opportunity for global hotel brands, how Wyndham's franchising model supports the Kingdom's current phase of development, and what local investors and owners now expect from their brand partners.
June 22, 202645 min
Episode 146: Building Saudi Arabia's Next Wave of Mid-Market Hospitality
In this episode, we speak with Dory Mouawad, Director of Operations KSA at Ewaa Hotel Group, about the changing face of Saudi Arabia's hospitality market and the rising importance of budget and mid-scale hotels. With more than 25 years of experience in Middle East hospitality, Dory shares his perspective on what it takes to build a scalable hotel brand in the Kingdom, the operational discipline behind Ewaa Express, and how guest expectations are evolving as Saudi Arabia's tourism landscape expands. The conversation explores why consistency, profitability, service quality, and simplicity are becoming critical to long-term growth — and why the next phase of Saudi hospitality will need hotel products that are practical, accessible, and built for scale.
June 22, 202653 min
Episode 145: The Neuroscience of Hospitality
In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Anant Sharma, CEO of Matter Of Form, is joined by Muneeb Mushtaq, Chairman of Airzai, to explore the neuroscience of hospitality and the powerful role scent, sound and sensory design play in shaping how people feel, behave and remember a place. The conversation looks at how sensory design is moving from a finishing touch to a strategic part of brand building, helping hospitality brands create emotion, differentiation and deeper guest connection. From the influence of scent on memory and behaviour to the role of sound, atmosphere, AI and cultural context, Anant and Muneeb discuss how emotionally intelligent experiences can transform physical spaces into more meaningful and memorable destinations. With Saudi Arabia building some of the world's most ambitious hospitality projects, this episode also explores why the Kingdom is such an exciting market for sensory innovation, brand experience and the future of guest engagement.
June 17, 202638 min
Episode 144: Scaling Authentic Saudi Hospitality: Elaf Group's Transformation Journey
In this episode, we speak with Jalil Mekouar, Chief Executive Officer, Elaf Group, about what makes Saudi Arabia's hospitality opportunity unlike any other market in the world today. Drawing on more than 35 years of experience across hospitality, real estate, investment, operations, asset management, and technology, the conversation explores Elaf Group's transformation journey, the next phase of Saudi Arabia's hospitality growth, and the shift from ambition to operational excellence. From evolving guest expectations and the changing definition of luxury to the rise of emerging destinations and the role of local Saudi operators, this episode offers a deep look at how the Kingdom's hospitality sector is maturing, scaling, and creating new opportunities for investors, brands, and industry leaders.
June 17, 202619 min
Episode 143: Amsa Hospitality's Revolution in Saudi Hospitality
In this episode, Muin Sehran, CEO of Amsa Hospitality, shares how the company is helping shape the next chapter of Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector, from building brands that reflect the Kingdom's identity to responding to the growing demand for authentic, locally rooted guest experiences. The conversation explores how Saudi hospitality is evolving beyond traditional hotel development, creating new opportunities for owners, operators, investors, and talent across the Kingdom.
June 1, 202631 min
Episode 142: Saudi Arabia Through the Eyes of Radisson Hotel Group
In this episode of the FHS Podcast, Elie Milky, Vice President of Development Middle East, Cyprus, Greece & Pakistan at Radisson Hotel Group, shares why Saudi Arabia remains one of the most resilient and compelling hospitality markets in the region. Speaking amid a period of geopolitical turbulence, Elie discusses how Radisson Hotel Group views the current landscape through the lens of opportunity rather than uncertainty. He also explores the group's expansion strategy, its growing footprint across the Kingdom, and why Saudi Arabia continues to be a key market for Radisson's future growth.
May 25, 202627 min
Episode 141: Saudi Arabia's Tourism Transformation Through the Eyes of Rotana
In this episode of the FHS podcast, Eddy Tannous, Chief Operating Officer, Rotana Hotels, shares Rotana's expansion strategy in the Kingdom. From expansion into secondary cities to bringing the world to Saudi Arabia with events like the Expo and the World Cup, Saudi Arabia is planning the next chapter of global hospitality, and Rotana is spearheading this transformation.
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