It’s a wrap! – THINC ME 2025
The recently concluded inaugural edition of Hotelivate’s THINC ME highlighted the Middle East’s rapid emergence as one of the world’s most exciting hotspots for hospitality investment. In this article, we reflect on the key insights shared by industry leaders during the two-day event through various sessions and leadership panels.
Who was in attendance?
Unveiling Dubai’s Vision
Hoor Al Khaja, Senior VP – International Operations, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, delivered an inspiring session on Dubai’s bold aspirations and future roadmap
Key takeaways:
- Future Looking City: Dubai continues to evolve, setting ambitious goals with the D33 – Dubai’s 2033 vision is to become one of the world’s top three cities for tourism. This is supported by the record-breaking tourism in 2024 with 18.72M overnight visitors in 2024 from diverse source markets.
- Expanding Horizons: New Al Maktoum Airport, Expo City, and hospitality developments are key to accommodating the city’s rapid growth. Strong public-private partnerships continue to fuel Dubai’s dynamic success across tourism, hospitality, and real estate.
Boats, Cars, Planes: Who is Paying the Bill?
A powerhouse conversation between Manav Thadani, Founder Chairman – Hotelivate and hospitality titan William Heinecke, Founder & Chairman, Minor International, left the audience spellbound. The session provided insights on the humble beginnings of Minor an its evolution into the hospitality giant that it is known as today.
Key Takeaways:
- From a $𝟭,𝟮𝟬𝟬 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝟭𝟳 to a global hospitality empire, Minor International now boasts 𝟱𝟲𝟬 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟱𝟴 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, with plans to reach 850 by 2028 in markets such as Saudi Arabia, Japan, New York & the GCC.
- Expansion and Diversification on Minor’s Radar: Minor is currently the world’s largest restaurant owner with 3000+ restaurants worldwide. Mr. Heinecke mentioned he would be keen to diversify Minor’s hospitality offerings by getting into the cruise business in the near future.
“Learn everyday & understand what others are doing better”
– Bill Heinecke on his mantra to success
Hospitality’s Leadership Playbook
A high-energy, fun-filled discussion moderated by Megha Tuli, Partner & Co-Founder, Hotelivate, featuring an all-star panel of hospitality leaders:
- Dimitris Manikis – President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
- Duncan O’Rourke O’Rourke – CEO Middle East, Africa & Asia Pacific | Premium, Midscale & Economy, Accor
- Stephen Ansell – Managing Director – Middle East & Africa, Hyatt
- Vincent Miccolis – Managing Director – Middle East, Africa, Turkey & India, The Ascott Limited
These leaders talked about their experiences in the region as well as the challenges faced by hospitality leaders in the Middle East.
Key takeaways:
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Middle East as an Innovation Hub: The Middle East has emerged as a “playground” and testing facility for hospitality development and innovation, providing valuable insights.
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Talent Retention as a challenge: With almost 60% of new hospitality hires experiencing early attrition, inspiring the next generation is a challenge. It is necessary to cultivate a corporate culture rooted in positivity, discretion, and adaptability, thereby driving success.
“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”
– Dimitris Manikis on the necessity of risk-taking as hospitality leaders
Hospitality Masterclass
Moderated by Achin Khanna, Managing Partner, Hotelivate.,This power-packed panel of Industry leaders including
- Guy Hutchinson – President, Middle East & Africa, Hilton
- Haitham Mattar – Managing Director, MEA & South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Sandeep Walia – COO, Middle East & Luxury, EMEA, Marriott International
Discussed the keys to success in the hospitality industry in the MENA region and the opportunity provided by emerging markets and alternative asset classes.
Key takeaways:
- Leadership through passion & perseverance is the foundation of success in the Hospitality industry. A talent-first strategy is important even on an operational level as GMs need to be provided more autonomy to drive operational excellence.
- Alternate assets classes, especially branded residences are booming in the region. Their demand is expected to double next year as it creates a win-win situation for all stakeholders involved.
- The demand for personalised wellness-driven stays is also on the rise, with guests willing to pay 30% more for such experiences. This growing trend emphasises the importance of adaptability and innovation in catering to changing consumer preferences.
- Emerging markets and growth hotspots like India, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Africa are driving the next wave of expansion. In Africa, 80% of hotels are independently owned, with international brands remaining underrepresented, highlighting the potential for growth and investment in the region. Furthermore, third party operators are set to play a key role in the expansion of the industry in the coming years.
An Unforgettable Experience
As part of other experiences, Hotelivate curated an exclusive event for a select group of HNIs of Indian origin, hosted by Omniyat, to explore investment opportunities in Dubai. The guests experienced a sunset cruise offering panoramic views of the city and stayed at the Lana – Dorchester Collection. This event underscored the importance of Indians as not only a consumer source market but one for investment as well.
It’s a wrap!
Looking back at the first edition of THINC ME we were honoured to have with us Industry Leaders and Partners as well as our venue partners Marriott Resort Palm Jumeirah & The Lana – Dorchester Collection. As we wrap up this inaugural edition, we hope to be back next year. In the meantime, Hotelivate will continue to conduct Feasibility Studies, Operator Searches and provide Asset Management solutions along with other services, across the Middle East and Africa.
For more information, please reach out to us at [email protected]
