Saudi Arabia’s women led startup ecosystem has expanded rapidly under Vision 2030, reflecting major legal reforms and growing economic participation.

In recent years, a growing number of hospitality brands have opted to expand their portfolios without owning the properties that carry their name. Managing that transition, from maintaining standards to navigating the risks, has become a defining industry challenge. Bastien Blanc, co-founder and board member at TroKadero Hospitality Global, takes us through the discipline required to make this model work and the rewards it can deliver.

Gone are the days when coffee was just a drink ordered at a counter or on a terrace. Today, new concepts are emerging that put coffee at the heart of the customer experience rather than simply in a cup. Daniel During, principal and managing director at Thomas Klein International, takes us on a global tour of emerging trends and spotlights 12 cafes with potential for MENA expansion.

Buoyed by rising demand, a new wave of homegrown coffee brands is reshaping the region’s specialty coffee landscape. From the UAE to Saudi Arabia, more outlets are opening for business, writing their own success stories and adding to a compelling narrative. Abdul Kader Saadi, managing director of Glee Hospitality Solutions, charts the rise of a movement that is both locally rooted and globally ambitious.

As 2026 progresses, L’École Valrhona Dubai is set to offer an exciting lineup of workshops designed to inspire and elevate the skills of pastry and chocolate professionals.

When implemented in the right way, knowledge transfer delivers long-term benefits and growth all round. Mark Dickinson, founder of DONE! Hospitality Training Solutions, shares the lessons he has learned over the years about making these vital partnerships work.

Long associated with a traditional afternoon ritual, tea has today found a new home behind leading bars worldwide. Mixologists are now treating it as both a serious ingredient and structural component in contemporary cocktails. Five leading beverage experts explore the trends, techniques and tannins driving this teatime with a difference.

Non-hydrocarbon activities are gathering pace and delivering results for the UAE, setting the emirates on course for further strong, steady growth across the sectors. Nada Alameddine, managing partner at Hodema Consulting Services, lifts the lid on the plans that the UAE expects to steer its economy into the next decade.

Aradhana Khowala, founder and CEO of Aptamind Partners, examines why the industry may have been looking in the wrong place for answers to this critical problem.

Founder Antoine, alongside partners Georges and Yasmine of Antoine Tabet & Associates, explore storytelling, cultural authenticity and immersive experiences shaping memorable hospitality and architectural design.

For decades, coffee was considered less than healthy. However, the evidence today tells a very different story. As cutting-edge research continues to reveal its wide-ranging benefits, Garfield Kerr, CEO of Mokha 1450, tells us why coffee is back in the spotlight for all the right reasons.

It may be a simple pleasure to coffee lovers, but behind every carefully crafted cup lies a precise science. As MENA’s specialty coffee scene expands, understanding the principles of roasting is becoming critical. Saeed AbdiNasab, coffee teacher and instructor, shares what every roaster needs to know, from heat transfer to energy delivery.

In the Middle East’s fast-evolving nightlife scene, counters and their surroundings have long added to the ambiance. However, when designed strategically, they can also do much more. Elie Bassil, co-founder of Studio Caramel and business strategist, explains how today’s venues are thinking beyond aesthetics and harnessing spatial design as a powerful commercial tool.