IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a dual management agreement with Mosa bin Abdul Aziz Al-Mosa and Sons Real Estate Holding Co. to launch two new hotels in Saudi Arabia. The hotels are the 232-key Crowne Plaza Al Khobar Al Bandariyah and the 106-key Holiday Inn Riyadh Rose Yard. The Crowne Plaza is expected to open in Q1 2027 near the Corniche, while the Holiday Inn, opening in late 2026, will feature the brand’s modern Open Lobby concept in Riyadh’s Al-Suwaidi district.
Efforts to deliver 100,000 mixed housing units across the South-East region of Nigeria have commenced following a major agreement in Enugu. The $10 billion (N15 trillion) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is between the Igboebinie Plc consortium and Hand of God Construction Company Limited. The project will feature smart city designs and will create an estimated three million jobs. The development aims to tackle Nigeria’s significant housing deficit and redefine urban infrastructure, positioning the region as a hub for investment and sustainable living.
La Premiere Realty and Gables Construction Group have officially announced a major new exclusive collaboration based in Coral Gables, Florida. The partnership is designed to offer clients a fully streamlined service for property acquisition and subsequent construction work. The integrated service begins with La Premiere Realty handling the land acquisition phase. It then moves directly into construction, culminating in a fully constructed, move-in-ready home delivered by Gables Construction Group.
KORA Properties, the real estate arm of APPCORP Holding, has launched IL VENTO, a 40-floor luxury apartment tower in Dubai Maritime City. Named after the Italian word for ‘The Wind,’ the tower features 330 apartments, including four penthouses with private pools. The development blends serene coastal beauty with urban convenience, being only 15 minutes from Dubai Mall and the airport. It offers residents over 40 facilities and amenities, including a sky pool and yoga area.
Japanese architectural company SOBOKUYA, specializing in traditional carpentry and sustainable design, will establish its first Middle East base in the Dubai Design District in November. The company is exhibiting at Dubai Design Week 2025 in collaboration with Nikken Sekkei Dubai FZ-LLC. From its new Dubai base, SOBOKUYA plans to expand into Europe, South Asia, and Africa, developing projects that combine Japanese minimalism, wabi-sabi aesthetics and modern functionality. The move follows the establishment of SOBOKUYA's bases in Vietnam, marking a key next step in its global expansion.
Modern hospitality is moving beyond luxury to embrace culture, authenticity and a true sense of place. Travellers now seek experiences rooted in local identity, from architecture inspired by regional craft to culinary immersion such as olive harvests or sake brewing. Staff act as cultural ambassadors, while partnerships with artisans preserve heritage and support local communities. As wellness and travel intersect with tradition and craft, hospitality is shifting towards meaningful connection and belonging.