InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), has inked an agreement with Bukhamseen Group Holding Company, a Kuwaiti business conglomerate, to build and operate IHG hotels exclusively in the State of Kuwait. The agreement grants country wide-exclusivity to the Bukhamseen Group for a 10-year term and covers six IHG brands, including InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Resort, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites.

Gulf Hotels Group has doubled the size of its management training programme from five to ten trainees on an annual basis to feed its expansion within and outside Bahrain. The programme starts with a six-month familiarisation programme to induct the trainees into the hotel industry, following which they embark on a two-year diploma course in a well-known hotel school in Lausanne, Switzerland, before returning to complete their training. 

Etihad Airways crowned Dean Parker from The Manor restaurant in London, winner of its Taste the World competition on June 15. Each chef was independently judged by a panel consisting of an Etihad Airways Inflight Chef, a culinary expert and a renowned food influencer. Parker has earned a trip to the global final to represent London and The Manor at Taste of Abu Dhabi, in November this year. Pictured here are Dean Parker from The Manor restaurant (middle) with Etihad airways inflight chefs Enrico Nanchioli (left) and Jeremy McPherson (right).

Jabal Omar Development Company (JODC) has selected Emaar Hospitality Group’s premium luxury hotel brand Address Hotels + Resorts to manage its flagship hospitality project in Makkah. This marks the first expansion of Address Hotels + Resorts into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Jabal Omar Address Makkah, scheduled to open in 2019, is located just steps away from the Grand Mosque.

Tickets are officially on sale for the hotly anticipated La Perle at Al Habtoor City. Inspired by the spirit of Dubai, tickets for the region’s first permanent launched through the show’s brand-new website and are available for purchase through LaPerle.com for performances from August 31 onwards. Brought to Dubai by the Al Habtoor Group, La Perle is a live masterpiece, produced by legendary creative director Franco Dragone.

The Dubai College of Tourism (DCT) has announced the first graduates of its interactive training programme, Dubai Way, designed for government and private sector staff engaged in tourist-facing roles in various service sectors. The ‘Dubai Way’ initiative was launched earlier this year by DCT for tourism professionals who interact with visitors day-to-day, such as staff at hotels, airlines, airports, malls, transportation systems, theme parks, tourism attractions, and even exchange houses.

Centara Hotels & Resorts reopened the Centara Sandy Beach Resort Danang in Vietnam, following an extensive renovation and upgrade. The resort offers an excellent location on the white sands and clear waters of Non Nuoc beach. The site is designed to offer secluded privacy on a private beach, but is conveniently within 20 minutes of Danang’s airport and downtown, two championship golf courses, and the Hoi An world heritage site.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts will open a new 264-room hotel in Basel’s city centre in 2019, set to become the hotel group’s flagship hotel in Europe. Located in the heart of the city, next to the SBB railway station, the hotel can easily be accessed from several European cities. The 19-storey building is designed by renowned architects Miller & Maranta, while the timeless modern interiors incorporating several design classics, is created by Matteo Thun.