Kasumigaseki Capital establishes development arm in UAE
Kasumigasaki Properties Development shifts from investor to developer role with focus on Japanese quality standards.
Hospitality Capital Desk
Who funds hotels, resorts and operators, at what return
- Filed into
- Destinations, Hospitality Capital, Middle East Travel Roundup
- Published
- 31 pieces
- Since
- 4 September 2026
Desks are editorial units of Arab Time. No individual is named; the desk is the byline.
Latest from this desk
Shariah-compliant succession planning demand rises in UAE family offices
Advisers report shift from growth-focused conversations to estate structuring as generational wealth transfer accelerates.
Chedi Hospitality evaluates 54 projects across Morocco, US and Latin America
Dubai-based operator targets Morocco entry by year-end and adds portable luxury tent offering for African safari market.
Gargash Prime, JD Property sign Dh500m Dubai logistics facility MoU
The 2.5 million square-foot development in Dubai Industrial City will be built in phases starting 2027.
UAE summit launches $1 million fund for 100 content creators
Each participant receives $10,000 and six weeks of business training under 100 Dreams initiative.
Gulf investors shift UK property focus to income assets
Property development leads at 30 percent, followed by retail at 29 percent, according to AlRayan Bank UK's 2026 GCC Investment Barometer.
Saudi Arabia postpones Six Kings Slam tennis tournament to December
Exhibition event featuring Djokovic, Alcaraz and Zverev moved from October 21-24 to December 27-30, with Netflix streaming rights retained.
Seychelles Investment Board reports $24.5M in UAE-funded projects
Board accelerated assessment turnaround and increased project volume during positioning phase.
Michelin Guide 2026 recognises 178 restaurants across UAE
Dubai accounts for 122 of the selections, spanning 38 cuisines, while Abu Dhabi contributes 56 restaurants to the fifth edition.
Chef Gregoire Berger opens Solenn in Abu Dhabi with Dh85 Wagyu lasagne
The Mediterranean restaurant at The Arcades at Al Khail Square marks the former Ossiano chef's first venture in the capital.
Riyadh Economic Forum opens for 12th edition at convention center
Three-day event runs at Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center with regional officials and ambassadors attending.
Etihad Rail launches Dubai–Abu Dhabi passenger service
The first commercial train departed Al Yalayis Station at 6.14am and reached Abu Dhabi at 7.18am on 13 January 2025.
Rotana adds 40 properties to pipeline with Saudi Arabia and UAE focus
Group operates 78 hotels and has 8,334 keys under development across Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe.
Nammos Resort AMAALA Opens 110-Room Red Sea Property at Triple Bay
Red Sea Global launched the first Nammos Hotels & Resorts property globally, adding 110 accommodation units to Saudi Arabia's AMAALA development.
Etihad cancels Jakarta service, Emirates delays flights after volcanic ash closure
Abu Dhabi and Dubai carriers adjusted schedules on September 5 and 6 following temporary suspension of operations at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Hilton shifts Saudi Arabia strategy toward mid-market brands
Chain says luxury hotel pipeline is largely built and next demand wave will come from franchises and mid-tier properties.
Abu Dhabi tourism authority issues visitor experience guidelines
Department of Culture and Tourism establishes standards for licensed hospitality operators across the emirate.
UAE sets 25% local food target for hotels with $272m fund
Industrial fund backs farm certification programme targeting 80% of operations under UAE GAP standard.
Pulse Resorts redirects capital from Maldives to Gulf markets
The luxury operator is stepping up sales across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain.
Accor reports Middle East occupancy recovery led by CIS and India
CEO cites Russia, India and GCC markets as demand drivers, with rate recovery expected to follow.
Dubai Basketball unveils adidas jerseys for 2026/27 season
The ABA League champions introduce home and away kits ahead of their second EuroLeague campaign.
Etihad Airways targets 200-aircraft fleet by 2030 with $20bn investment
UAE carrier plans to reach 130 aircraft by end-2026 with 15 deliveries this year as part of decade-long expansion.
Etihad Airways unveils A330 First Class suites with 32-inch screens
Four-suite cabin with privacy doors and companion seating rolls out from September 2027 on A330neo deliveries.
Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club marks 50 years with Al Khail Square project
Redevelopment combines racing facilities with residential and commercial space on existing site.
Tashas Group secures AED80m Arada backing for 20-site expansion
Casual dining operator plans Mall of the Emirates and First Avenue Mall Jumeirah as next UAE locations under funded rollout.
Flydubai to relocate aircraft from DXB to DWC from early 2027
Dubai Airports CEO confirms staged transition as second runway at Al Maktoum International targets end-2027 completion.
Mannai Corporation opens Riyadh headquarters to serve Saudi digital infrastructure projects
Qatar-listed technology services provider establishes regional base to deliver stadium connectivity, AI and cybersecurity capabilities.
Emirates cancels Dubai-Jakarta flights as volcanic ash closes airport
Etihad delays Abu Dhabi services as Mount Anak Krakatau ash reaches Soekarno-Hatta airspace.
Dubai shared housing permits now required for multi-tenant villas
New framework sets occupancy limits, safety standards and compliance deadlines for landlords operating shared accommodation.
Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri operates heritage-themed resort in Abu Dhabi canal district
The property features 161 apartments, six villas and private abra transport along its waterway.
Emirates A350 Premium Economy adds electric privacy screen at 20-inch width
The 28-seat cabin debuts with full-height divider, wireless charging and 13.3-inch 4K screen; fare premium and retrofit cost undisclosed.
The rows this desk maintains
The Pipeline| Project | Country | Location | Developer or owner | Operator or brand | Slip, quarters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club Med Musandam | Oman | Musandam Governorate | Omran Group | Club Med | |
| Nammos Ras El Hekma | Egypt | Wadi Yemm precinct, Ras El Hekma, North Coast | Modon Holding | Nammos Hotels & Resorts | |
| Four Seasons Resort and Residences AMAALA at Triple Bay | Saudi Arabia | Triple Bay, AMAALA | Red Sea Global | Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | |
| Montage Ras El Hekma | Egypt | Wadi Yemm precinct, Ras El Hekma, Mediterranean coast | Modon Holding | Montage Hotels & Resorts | |
| Disneyland Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates | Yas Island, Abu Dhabi | Miral | Miral (operations); The Walt Disney Company (creative design and operational oversight) | |
| Six Flags Qiddiya City | Saudi Arabia | Qiddiya City, 40 minutes from Riyadh | Qiddiya Investment Company | Six Flags Entertainment Corporation | |
| Wynn Al Marjan Island | United Arab Emirates | Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah | Marjan, RAK Hospitality Holding and Wynn Resorts | Wynn Resorts | |
| Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection | United Arab Emirates | Dubai Marina, Dubai | The First Group | Vignette Collection (IHG), managed by The First Group Hospitality |
Rows for the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia record dated data only: announced value, announced date, current recorded status and status date, each with its source. No derived field is computed for those rows.