Revenue management isn't just yielding prices. In fact, the difference between yield management and revenue management is precisely that revenue management doesn't stop at room revenue and captures all revenue streams.
Brilliantly articulated. This is exactly where the conversation needs to be moving forward. The era of chasing topline numbers is over, today's commercial leaders are being judged by flow-through intelligence, not occupancy percentages.
We've been having these conversations for about 20 years now. A lot has been said and published on this topic, including my own articles, podcast episodes, webinars, and even dedicated chapters in my last two books. The answer, at least to me, is obvious: until RMS providers build true profit optimization capabilities into their products (which requires proper data flow for the missing pieces of the equation), we're not going to move forward.
The ambitious vision for Total Profit Optimization is not a destination we are equipped to reach today. It's not a pipedream, but a strategic challenge demanding a phased, constructive approach. The core issue is a structural disconnect stemming from the historical focus on Rooms: The Talent Evolution: We currently possess excellent Rooms Optimizers, whose skill sets were sharpened by focused toolsets and market dynamics.
Mandarin Oriental, Jeddah, which is expected to open in 2030, will bring a new level of luxury hospitality to Saudi Arabia, further strengthening the Group's presence in the region and complementing the brand's award-winning offerings in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat and Riyadh.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies, has signed a dual management agreement with Mosa bin Abdul Aziz Al-Mosa and Sons Real Estate Holding Co. The signing will see the launch of Holiday Inn Riyadh Rose Yard (106 keys), reinforcing IHG's long-term commitment to the Kingdom and its growing hospitality sector in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hotel companies, has signed a dual management agreement with Mosa bin Abdul Aziz Al-Mosa and Sons Real Estate Holding Co. The signing will see the launch of Crowne Plaza Al Khobar Al Bandariyah (232 keys), reinforcing IHG's long-term commitment to the Kingdom and its growing hospitality sector in line with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
Ciel Dubai Marina is now officially open within IHG's Vignette Collection. Setting a new global benchmark as the world's tallest hotel, the ambitious project - led by Dubai developer The First Group - underscores Vignette Collection's vision to offer one-of-a-kind stays in destinations to remember. The architectural marvel spans 82 floors which collectively rise 377 meters above Dubai and is home to one of the world's highest infinity pools.
Under the patronage of His Excellency Mr. Ahmed bin Aqil Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, a landmark Saudi-Swiss partnership was announced at the "TOURISE 2025" Summit in Riyadh to advance innovation, develop national talent, and build human capital in tourism, hospitality, and culinary arts, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
Under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia (MoT) and TOURISE 2025, Shaza Hotels has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for four new projects – Shaza Riyadh Stables Resort, Mysk Residences in Riyadh and Mysk Al Haramain Hotels - 3 & 4 in Makkah – during the inaugural TOURISE 2025 summit, held from 11 to 13 November 2025 in Riyadh. The signings represent a significant step in Shaza Hotels’ expansion across the Kingdom and underscore the brand’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s long-term vision 2030 to advance tourism and destination development. Shaza also announced an ambitious pipeline of USD 950 million worth projects across the globe in key destinations like Maldives, Turkey, Kuwait, Indonesia, Iraq, USA, Kenya and Libya at TOURISE 2025.
Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group with a portfolio of over 640 properties in operation and pipeline across 60 countries, has announced the signing of Oaks Residences Riyadh, marking a significant addition to its growing portfolio in Saudi Arabia. The agreement, signed in partnership with Tabarak Holding, also includes future projects in key locations in Cairo, Egypt under the NH Collection brand.
IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world's leading hospitality companies, has signed a franchise agreement with Serene Tower (PVT) Ltd. to bring the Crowne Plaza brand to DHA Multan, Multan city, a key cultural and economic hub in Pakistan. The new Crowne Plaza Multan, slated to open in early 2028, will be the brand's first hotel in the city.
The Residences at The Dubai Beach EDITION have launched, presenting an exceptional opportunity to acquire a home within the UAE's first EDITION residences and beachfront resort, available for sale now with handover in 2029. Located on Dubai's most exclusive waterfront as part of the greater Dubai Harbour Masterplan, the project, developed by H&H and owned by Shamal Holding, brings together EDITION's iconic design DNA and cultural significance within a distinctive and private setting.
Red Sea Global (RSG), the real estate developer and pioneer of regenerative tourism, announced the highly anticipated opening of AMAALA Triple Bay during the inaugural TOURISE Summit.
In my previous airline and telcoms world, we used service buses like TIBCO to sit on top of enterprise systems. The upside was the potential of plug and play (although we never actually changed back end ERPs). The downside was extra latency and cost.
In practice, it's not that simple. A hub always depends on common integration standards — yet many systems still lack proper REST APIs to communicate effectively. For example, we dynamically manage room assignments and reassignments based on guest fit and preferences, but not all PMSs even offer APIs that allow us to do this.
SO/ Ras Al Khaimah will welcome guests from 15 November 2025, marking the brand's exciting debut on Al Marjan Island and its unique presence in Ras Al Khaimah. The resort is the first in a new wave of fashion-inspired lifestyle luxury properties designed to set a bold new standard in the region. Set against the breathtaking Arabian Gulf coastline and just 90 minutes from Dubai, this ten-story resort marks the brand's debut in Ras Al Khaimah and the first in a series of avant-garde lifestyle properties destined to elevate the regional hospitality scene.
The lead development partners of Wynn Al Marjan Island, which is under construction in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE -- Wynn Resorts, Limited (Nasdaq: WYNN) and Marjan LLC -- have announced their second joint venture development on Al Marjan Island: Janu Al Marjan Island. The resort from Aman Group, the developer and operator of extraordinary hotels, resorts, and branded residences, will be managed and operated by the pioneering hospitality group and is slated to open late 2028.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest hotel franchising company, has announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Concept Tower Real Estate Limited to open a Howard Johnson by Wyndham hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This signing marks the introduction of the Howard Johnson brand in Riyadh, reinforcing Wyndham's commitment to expanding its midscale portfolio across the Kingdom.
Mandarin Oriental is delighted to announce the opening of Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai, the Group's second property in the city. Located within Wasl Tower, an architectural masterpiece on Sheikh Zayed Road, the hotel brings Mandarin Oriental's signature blend of Asian heritage and local character to the heart of Downtown Dubai, curating a vertical boulevard where hospitality, culture and commerce unite.
Ennismore, the fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company, and Dubai Holding, a diversified global investment company operating in more than 30 countries, have partnered to introduce Caravan Hatta by Our Habitas at Hatta Resorts. Set to open in December 2025, the project marks Our Habitas' UAE debut and represents a new milestone in Dubai Holding's efforts to further enhance Hatta Resorts' offering as a leading tourism destination.
The hospitality industry must build on the exemplars of performative sustainability towards a transformative regeneration. In other words, from sustaining to healing! The sector can no longer afford to dwell at the periphery of systemic change, tinkering with low-leverage interventions such as LED bulbs, reusing towels and low-flow fixtures. While these remain necessary, they are insufficient and superficial.
Looking ahead to 2026, the hospitality industry stands at a pivotal crossroads, facing mounting pressure to address its environmental and social responsibilities more transparently and effectively. The first priority should be the establishment of comprehensive data platform in collaboration with industry membership organizations. These platforms must not only aggregate sustainability KPIs and attributes for internal benchmarking and B2B purposes but also translate this data into educational content for end consumers, fostering wider public engagement and understanding.