Talk to us about customer F&B preferences. Have these shifted in the UAE?
We have not seen a significant shift in preferences but an acceleration on trends that were already taking shape over the last few years. Now we see a more precise differentiation between experiential and transactional hospitality, meaning restaurants focusing on providing “a meal to feed” have seen their business massively transformed with a significant focus on delivery, driven by price and convenience.
On the other hand, restaurants that focus on the social aspect of the restaurant “to get together around a meal” have had to work harder to sharpen their offerings, including design, service, food, lighting, views, arrival, and music, etc.
During the last few years, the UAE has transformed from an emerging country into a hospitality powerhouse, with most of the internationally renowned brands having a presence and great new concepts born in the UAE, which has become incredibly successful and is now recognised internationally.
This makes the UAE market much more competitive than in the past and more rewarding to tourists and local customers because of the presence of world-class offerings across the country which we’ve noticed firsthand with the likes of our recent launches such as SushiSamba Dubai and L’Amo Bistro del Mare, among others.
How will the launch of Gault&Millau and the Michelin Guide help contribute to Dubai’s restaurant scene?
Dubai’s culinary scene is very dynamic and has achieved maturity with a variety of world-class restaurants. The launch of the Gault&Millau and the Michelin Guide will help guide customers seeking quality dining and exceptional culinary experiences.
The presence of these guides affirms the UAE’s reputation as a top travel and tourism destination and one with innovative and excellent gastronomy whilst paying homage to our talented teams at SushiSamba Dubai, Goldfish and L’Amo Bistro del Mare that are shortlisted.
Post-pandemic hospitality – how is this different from pre-pandemic? What priorities have changed?
Besides the acceleration of those trends such as delivery, cloud concepts, and a more significant focus on experiential F&B, most consumer behaviours remain the same. Humans are social beings; we gather around the table to catch up, socialise, date, celebrate, discuss business, etc… the priorities remain the same: providing outstanding service, great food, and great experience.
This year marks a significant milestone for us, with our tenth anniversary, and we want to build on the success we have achieved, accelerating our strategic diversification and growth. We aim to reach more than 50 operating venues and 14 countries within the next few months.
We will keep growing in the UAE and the Middle East, but as we have reached a relevant size and have a fantastic team full of talent and ambition, we want to take to other countries all the know-how we have developed over the last decade and provide the Dubai standards of hospitality around the world.
Europe is where we feel comfortable operating, as we have lots of experience in multiple countries in that region, and it is a natural growth path for us.
How will technology change hotel offerings? Metaverse check-in?
Like restaurants, hotels with a more transactional focus need to accelerate technology adoption to optimise their cost structure and provide the best convenience to their guests. In such hotels, self-check-in /out, mobile apps, online menus, delivery platforms aand room service, etc, are priorities, and we will see more and more similar initiatives.
Leisure hotels, especially premium and luxury offerings, such as our METT Hotels, focus on guest experience, curating every touch point to provide the best satisfaction. Our priority is to use technology to enhance the experience, ensuring that it is not a hassle or an obstacle but an enabler to optimise the overall experience.
What are the dual trends of sustainability and wellbeing in hospitality?
Wellness and sustainability have very different definitions but are often tied together in the hospitality industry. One can’t be concerned about their wellness without being concerned about planetary health. The choice we make in our lives to help care for our planet is also a step towards taking care of ourselves.
Before the pandemic, wellness is already becoming one of the biggest consumer trends, so is responsible tourism and the pursuit of zero-impact lifestyles. Having green-friendly practices, wellness services, and amenities is now an expectation, particularly from luxury travellers.