Guy Hutchinson

“One of the things that has always impressed me about the Gulf is its ability to combine long-term vision with execution.

What is particularly exciting today is that the region is no longer only importing the world’s best hospitality concepts; it is also exporting its own innovations and creating ideas that others around the world are watching closely. Over the past 30 years, our presence in the Gulf has grown more than tenfold, from eight hotels in 1996 to 91 operating hotels today. The challenge will be scaling that growth while preserving the human touch that defines great hospitality. Our industry is entering a new era of technology, AI will continue to transform the guest journey, helping us create more seamless and personalised experiences from booking through to checkout. However, technology cannot replace what truly makes hospitality special-human connection. Guests remember how people made them feel, a warm welcome after a long journey, a thoughtful gesture, or a team member who turned an ordinary stay into a memorable one. Great hospitality has always started with great people, and I don’t see that changing.”