Russia Moves Closer to Visa-Free Entry for Saudis as Direct Flights Set to Launch in October

30 October 2025, Dubai, UAE – As the cool winter breeze returns to Dubai, Zaytoun at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City invites guests to experience the magic of the season with the return of its much-loved Arabian Nights, taking place every Thursday and Friday evening from 30 October 2025. Set against the backdrop of Dubai’s glittering skyline, this al fresco dining experience celebrates authentic Arabic flavours, warm hospitality, and live entertainment under the stars.

“Arabian Nights at Zaytoun has become a signature seasonal experience that our guests look forward to every year,” said Thomas Schmelter, Area General Manager for IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City. “It reflects our commitment to creating memorable dining moments that bring people together to celebrate the region’s rich culinary traditions and vibrant spirit of hospitality.”

Arabian Nights at Zaytoun invites guests to embark on a culinary journey that captures the region’s vibrant spirit. Begin the evening with an abundant selection of soups, freshly tossed salads, and a colourful assortment of traditional Arabic mezze. Then, head to the centrepiece of the experience – the open grill station, where chefs prepare succulent meats and the freshest seafood, grilled to perfection à la minute.

As the aroma of spices fills the air, the terrace comes alive with the soothing melodies of an oud player, creating an atmosphere that blends tradition and elegance. With sweeping views of the Dubai Creek and skyline, guests can unwind beneath the open sky, savouring every bite as the city sparkles in the distance.

To end the night on a sweet note, diners can indulge in an array of Arabic and international desserts, thoughtfully crafted to offer a perfect finale to the evening.

Details

Venue: Zaytoun at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City

Days: Every Thursday & Friday (October – end of winter season)

Time: 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Price:

Extras: Shisha available upon request

Entertainment: Live oud player

An Enchanting Outdoor Setting

Overlooking Dubai’s iconic skyline, Zaytoun’s terrace provides a serene escape where culinary artistry meets ambiance. From the glow of the city lights to the gentle breeze off the Creek, every element is designed to create an unforgettable dining experience that captures the essence of Arabian evenings.

Kempinski Hotels has announced the appointment of industry veteran Paul Lonergan as Chief Operating and Asset Management Officer – a new role that will oversee the luxury hotel group’s operations and asset management strategy in EMEA, Americas and Asia Pacific (excluding China and Mongolia)

Paul’s appointment reflects Kempinski’s ongoing evolution as it focuses on elevating product and performance globally. Lonergan’s dual expertise in operations and asset management is central to the strategic shift and transformation that Kempinski is currently undergoing as Kempinski looks to strengthen its portfolio and refine its luxury appeal.

“As Kempinski continues to evolve from a traditional hotel operator into an agile, owner-aligned organisation, Paul’s appointment marks a pivotal step in that journey,” said Barbara Muckermann, Group Chief Executive Officer, Kempinski Hotels. “He combines the strategic insight of an asset manager with the operational rigour of a hotelier, and that dual perspective is exactly what we need to unlock the full potential of our portfolio. Paul has a proven record of elevating iconic properties and building value for owners while maintaining the spirit of exceptional service that defines a storied brand like Kempinski.”

Lonergan brings more than three decades of global hospitality experience, combining 20 years in senior operational leadership with 15 years in commercial hotel asset management. Recognised for his ability to align owner and operator interests, he has built a reputation for driving profitability, stabilising property values, and strengthening brands across diverse markets. He has executed the pre-opening and launch of iconic properties in Dubai Holding hospitality portfolio, and has managed multimillion dollar CAPEX programmes, executing large-scale revitalisation and refurbishment projects, and leading mixed-use retail and restaurant leasing strategies that enhance both guest experience and asset value.

“Kempinski’s heritage of timeless luxury is unique, and the opportunity now is to pair that heritage with performance-driven operating and asset strategies,” said Paul Lonergan. “Working closely with our hotel teams and ownership partners, we will focus on targeted CAPEX, precise operating levers and distinctive guest propositions, ensuring every property delivers on the Kempinski promise while growing long-term value.”

At Kempinski, Lonergan will oversee operations and asset management strategy in EMEA, Americas and Asia Pacific (excluding China and Mongolia), ensuring alignment between owners and operators while guiding capital investment decisions that enhance both guest experience and asset value.

Lonergan will work closely with veteran Kempinski executive, Manish Nambiar, who has been promoted to Senior Vice President Operations, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. In his expanded remit, Nambiar will drive operational performance and business growth across the group’s largest area, supported by corporate and regional teams.

A Kempinski veteran of more than 20 years, Manish joined the company in 2004 as an Area Executive Chef in Tanzania before progressing through multiple leadership roles. He led the openings of Kempinski Villa Rosa Nairobi and Kempinski Gold Coast City Accra, served as Area General Manager Africa, and most recently held the role of Vice President Operations Southeast Asia while managing the Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.

www.kempinski.com www.ghadiscovery.com

The Accor Waterfront Properties, Dubai Deira and Dubai Gold District is delighted to announce the appointment of Mohamad Ali Shaikh as Cluster Operations Manager, marking a significant milestone in the cluster’s continuing journey to elevate guest experience and operational excellence within Accor’s midscale portfolio in the UAE.

Commenting on his new role, Shaikh said, “I’m honoured to take on this leadership role at the Accor Waterfront Properties in Dubai Deira and Dubai Gold District. My goal is to build upon the cluster’s strong legacy of hospitality excellence. As Dubai’s hospitality landscape continues to evolve, I’m excited to work alongside our talented team to further enhance guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth”.

A Proven Leader in Hospitality Operations

With nearly two decades of experience across leading Accor properties in the region, Mohamad Ali Shaikh brings a wealth of expertise in hotel operations, staff management, and revenue generation.

Most recently, as Director of Operations at Novotel Bur Dubai, Shaikh oversaw overall hotel operations, ensuring seamless coordination across all departments to enhance guest experience and operational performance.

Prior to that, as Rooms Division Manager at Novotel & Ibis Mall Avenue Dubai, he spearheaded several digital transformation initiatives, including Opera Cloud migration, achieving the Best Upselling Revenue Hotel title in Accor’s Northern Region for Q1 2024 with a 50% year-on-year increase.

His career also includes senior management roles at Pullman Hotel & Residence Deira City Centre, ibis Al Rigga and Novotel Suites & Ibis Hotel Mall of the Emirates, leading high-performing teams to record-breaking Guest Satisfaction and Brand Audit scores. His leadership contributed to multiple accolades, including TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards (2022 and 2023). 

Operational Excellence and Vision

Shaikh’s career has been defined by a hands-on, people-centric approach and a track record of driving performance across key departments such as Front Office, Housekeeping, and F&B. He has led two hotel pre-openings in India, spearheaded multiple re-openings in Dubai, and actively participated in Accor’s Future Hotel Managers Development Program (2023-24), underscoring his commitment to leadership growth.

In his new role, Shaikh will focus on strengthening the six properties within the Dubai Gold District and Dubai Deira cluster: Novotel Dubai Gold District, Mercure Dubai Gold District, Mercure Dubai Deira, ibis Styles Dubai Gold District, ibis Styles Dubai Deira, and Aparthotels Adagio Dubai Deira. His priorities include positioning the cluster as a preferred destination for both business and leisure travellers, optimizing operational efficiency, and reinforcing the hotels’ sustainability and digitalization initiatives.

Link to LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamad-ali-shaikh-820572185/

D’light & D’vote

Riyadh, 29th October 2025 – Dsquares, a leading provider of loyalty and rewards solutions in the GCC, announced the regional launch of two flagship products — the D’light Rewards Catalogue and D’vote Fan Engagement — during an exclusive industry event in Riyadh. This milestone reinforces Dsquares’ commitment to shaping a new era of rewarding in the Kingdom and across the region.

The launch gathered senior marketing leaders, loyalty strategists, and brand decision-makers to explore the evolution of loyalty from transactional incentives to emotionally driven, data-powered engagement.

“At Dsquares, we believe loyalty goes beyond transactions, it’s about connection,” said Marwan Kenawy, CEO of Dsquares. “With D’light and D’vote, we’re helping brands meet customers where they are, celebrate their peak moments, and reward them with what truly matters. We’re empowering brands to build lasting relationships with their audiences, meaningful, real-time connections that turn every interaction into an opportunity to engage, recognize, and inspire. It’s no longer a transactional conversation, but a meaningful relationship.”

Introducing a New Era of Rewarding

D’light 

An AI-driven, hyper-personalized rewards marketplace that adapts dynamically to each user’s preferences and behavior. The “Ultimate Rewards Hub” that brings together a diverse universe of rewards, from experiences, gift cards, games, and travel offers to mobile top-ups and a wide range of merchant deals, all tailored to serve different customer personas. The platform enables brands to deliver tailored reward experiences in real time, directly integrated into their campaign engines to drive retention, engagement, and higher redemption value. Far more than a traditional rewards catalogue, it’s an intelligent ecosystem designed to make every reward personal and purposeful.

D'vote 

A gamified engagement solution built around the “Everyone is a winner” concept, where every interaction becomes a moment of recognition and excitement. D’vote helps brands be visible and engage with customers where their passions lie, whether it’s sports, concerts, or TV shows, turning real-time events into rewarding experiences. Through interactive gamification, instant rewards, and audience insights, D’vote enables brands to connect and reward users at the peak of their passion, building deeper emotional loyalty and driving measurable ROI.

Shaping the Future of Loyalty

The event featured two engaging panel discussions with industry leaders who explored the rapid change in consumer needs and behaviors, and how today’s consumers increasingly connect with brands that understand and engage them on a personal level. The conversations delved into how loyalty solutions are evolving to help brands build deeper relationships with their customers, uncovering the strategies and consumer psychology that drive meaningful, long-term engagement in the modern loyalty landscape.

Strengthening Presence in Saudi Arabia

This launch marks the next phase of Dsquares’ expansion in the Kingdom, following the establishment of its GCC headquarters in Riyadh. The company continues to support leading Saudi institutions across banking, telecom, retail, and government sectors with advanced end to end loyalty strategy, infrastructure and strategic merchant partnerships.

• Dubai recorded 125,538 real estate transactions amounting to AED 431 billion

• South Africa itself recorded FDI inflows of $661 million in Q1 2025

Dubai, UAE – 28th October 2025 – Banke International Properties today announced the opening of its first branch in Johannesburg,  The new Hyde Park Lane office brings Banke’s international expertise closer to South African clients, offering access to real estate opportunities across the UAE and other global markets.

The move comes at a time when South African investors are increasingly active in Dubai’s thriving property market. In the first half of 2025 alone, Dubai recorded 125,538 real estate transactions worth AED 431 billion, a 26% year-on-year surge, with 58% of deals driven by international investors1. South Africans have been a visible part of this trend, drawn to Dubai’s strong yields2, averaging 6–8%, among the highest globally, and the city’s reputation as a safe haven for capital3.

“South Africa has long been one of our most engaged investor bases, with strong demand for off-plan, luxury, and secondary properties in the UAE,” said Porush Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Banke International Properties. “By establishing a local branch, we are deepening that relationship, bridging markets more seamlessly, and bringing our global real estate expertise closer to clients who are looking not only at Dubai but also the UK, India, Qatar, and beyond.”

The Johannesburg branch will deliver Banke’s complete range of services, off-plan projects, secondary sales and leasing, commercial real estate, luxury property investments, portfolio management, and cross-border transactions. South African clients will now be able to tap into Banke’s international portfolio through a local hub that combines personalized service with cultural insights drawn from the company’s diverse team.

The South Africa branch will be led by Ravikant Sharma, a seasoned real estate professional with over a decade of experience across global markets. In Dubai, Ravikant spearheaded Banke’s secondary sales and leasing division, while in Ras Al Khaimah, he successfully guided high-performing teams in both primary and secondary markets. His international background, spanning roles at Eurostar, Saregama India Ltd., iYogi, and Wipro, equips him with both a global perspective and hands-on expertise to steer Banke’s expansion into South Africa.

“Launching in Johannesburg is about more than opening a new office; it’s about creating accessibility,” added Ravikant Sharma, [title to be confirmed]. South African clients want trusted guidance in navigating both domestic and international property investments. By being here, we can meet them on their terms, offer localized insights, and connect them directly to opportunities across the UAE and other global markets.”

The expansion comes against the backdrop of deepening UAE–South Africa economic ties. Between 2014 and 2024, UAE companies invested in 28 FDI projects in South Africa, worth an estimated $23.6 billion4. South Africa itself recorded FDI inflows of $661 million in Q1 2025, underscoring renewed investor confidence5.