The recent Future Hospitality Summit 2024, which took place from September 30th to October 2nd at Madinat Jumeirah, saw the gathering of over 1,200 industry leaders from 40 countries to explore the future of hospitality through innovation, investment, and collaboration
The 2024 edition of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Dubai, organised by The Bench, has just come to a close, once again leaving its profound mark on the industry. Held at the luxurious Madinat Jumeirah Conference & Events Centre, this year’s summit drew an impressive 1,200 delegates from 40 countries, including thought leaders, industry innovators, investors, and key stakeholders from the global hospitality sector, who discussed the future of the sector while also recognising the good work that leading individuals have accomplished over the last number of years.
A Platform for Innovation, Investment, and Collaboration
FHS 2024 has yet again solidified its position as the premier platform for shaping the future of the hospitality industry. With over 40 sessions across four dedicated stages—Summit, Future, Exhibition, and Innovation—this year’s event explored groundbreaking themes such as sustainability, technology, branded residences, and more. These discussions were not just theoretical but action-driven, with multiple partnerships announced to fuel real-world innovation and development.
Among the many highlights was the unveiling of strategic partnerships aimed at driving growth in the Middle East including seeing Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Abdullah Al Muhanna Hotels Ltd. join forces with Marriott International to bring Four Points by Sheraton Jeddah to life, while Accor’s partnership with Summary Executive Properties promised the development of Swissotel Residences Waterfront on Dubai Islands. These collaborations reflect the industry’s confidence in the region’s potential and underscore FHS’s role as a bridge between opportunity and achievement.
Key Milestones of 2024
This year’s summit further introduced several initiatives that are set to redefine the future of hospitality such as The Branded Residences Forum, hosted by Accor One Living, spotlighted the burgeoning branded residences sector, a key area of growth in the industry. The forum provided valuable insights into how branded residential developments are reshaping real estate and hospitality investment landscapes.
Equally groundbreaking was the semi-finals of the UN Tourism’s Women in Tech Startup Competition, a first for FHS, which celebrated women-led tech innovations. This aligns with the broader #FHSWomenPower initiative, an empowering movement championing gender diversity and female leadership across the hospitality industry. From innovative solutions to strong female voices, FHS 2024 made it clear that inclusivity is the future.
A Celebration of Leadership and Excellence
The FHS World Awards 2024 expertly showcased the exceptional talent driving the hospitality sector forward. Selim El Zyr, Vice Chairman and Co-Founder of Rotana, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, while Rizwan Kassim, Founder & Managing Partner of RIKAS Hospitality Group, was honoured with the Leadership Award. Additionally, the Future Leader Award went to Errikos Christodoulou, recognising his remarkable contributions to the industry’s growth and innovation.
Shaping the Future Through Tech and Sustainability
As FHS looks towards the future, technology and sustainability remain at the forefront of the conversation. Expanded themes such as Tech & Innovation and Sustainable Construction explored how the industry can embrace cutting-edge solutions to deliver smarter, more sustainable experiences for guests. As there becomes increasing pressure on the hospitality sector to reduce its environmental footprint, these discussions will prove critical in shaping a more responsible and innovative future.
Attendees were particularly drawn to sessions on AI and sustainable hotel design, sparking dynamic debates on the future of hospitality in a post-pandemic world. FHS’s role as a catalyst for these conversations highlights its lasting legacy as a driving force behind meaningful industry transformation.
Katch’s White Paper
Just in time for FHS, Katch International recently released a comprehensive White Paper in collaboration with Keane MEA, which aligned seamlessly with many of the key discussions at the event. Focused on the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the hospitality industry, the White Paper addressed crucial themes such as technology innovation, guest experiences, and operational efficiencies, all of which were hot topics during the summit.
The paper delves into how AI can enhance emotional intelligence and relationship-building, offering insights into how hotels and operators can leverage this technology to stay competitive and meet future demands. As AI starts to play a more central role in shaping the future of hospitality, Katch and Keane’s findings helped spark significant conversations among industry leaders at the event.
A Legacy of Thought Leadership
Since its inception in 2005, FHS—previously known as AHIC—has continuously evolved to meet the industry’s changing needs. Now in its 19th year, FHS World continues to attract the world’s top leaders, serving as an essential forum for exchanging knowledge, forging partnerships, and advancing the hospitality landscape.
Looking ahead, FHS 2024 set the stage for the future of the industry with its ambitious theme of “Invest in Our Future.” The partnerships formed, insights shared, and innovative solutions presented during the summit have already started to shape a new chapter for global hospitality.
As the event came to a close, the sentiment was clear: FHS 2024 wasn’t just another summit—it was a pivotal moment of connection, collaboration, and collective progress. Featuring a series of expanded themes, new initiatives, and a renewed focus on diversity and sustainability, the Future Hospitality Summit has left an indelible mark on the industry, setting the foundation for continued innovation and growth.
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