Opening a hotel may look glamorous from the outside — ribbon cuttings, VIP guests and polished launch events — but according to Radisson Hotel Group executive Rob Collier, the real work happens months, and sometimes years, before the doors officially open.

Collier, managing director for future openings across the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia Pacific at Radisson Hotel Group, oversees one of the hospitality sector’s most complex operational functions: bringing new hotels to market.

Speaking to Gulf Business recently, Collier said the pre-opening phase is critical to determining whether a hotel succeeds commercially from day one.

“There’s a lot of work which goes into it,” Collier said.

“A huge element of my role is to make sure that we set the hotel up correctly from a commercial perspective.”

Collier has spent nearly two decades with Radisson, including the last 14 to 15 years in the UAE, after initially joining the company in the UK. Over the years, he has moved from hotel operations and general management into brand management and eventually future openings. By the end of 2026, he expects to have worked on close to 160 hotel openings globally.

Today, he oversees between 25 and 30 projects simultaneously, spanning both newly built hotels and conversion properties across multiple international markets.

Saudi Arabia and Southeast Asia driving pipeline growth

Collier said Saudi Arabia remains one of Radisson’s fastest-growing markets, supported by continued government-led investment, infrastructure development and business expansion.

“The development within the kingdom has been significant,” he said, pointing to growth in Riyadh and Jeddah, alongside increasing activity in secondary cities and more remote destinations.

At the same time, Southeast Asia Pacific has emerged as another major growth engine for the group, particularly Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

“We’ve opened 20 hotels in the last 18 months in those countries,” he said.

The UAE also remains active, with the recent opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Barhsa Heights and launch its second property in Fujairah later this year.

According to Collier, successful hotel openings depend on far more than construction and design.

Long before launch, teams analyse local demand, business travel trends, occupancy forecasts and customer segments to build a commercial strategy capable of generating returns quickly after opening.

“A lot of that is based on analysis and how the market looks when you’re looking to open,” he explained. “We tailor our manning around that just to make sure that primarily we give great service… but from a commercial perspective, we’re generating the right returns from a very early stage.”

That focus on owner returns has become increasingly important as hotel development costs continue to rise globally.

“The cost of development continues to increase, the cost of labour,” Collier said. “The hotel business is a partnership with us as an operator and with our owners. If they don’t win, we don’t win.”

AI, influencers and the changing hospitality landscape

Collier also pointed to technology and digital marketing as reshaping how hotels are launched and operated.

“The use of AI is critical in hotels,” he said, citing applications ranging from chatbots and revenue management systems to marketing and public relations.

Social media creators and influencers have also become an increasingly important part of hotel launch strategies, often being brought in before construction is fully completed.

“We have content creators coming in even before the hotel’s finished,” he said. “If you go back 10 or 15 years ago, the launch plans and the way we opened hotels were completely different.”

Among his most memorable projects, Collier highlighted opening six hotels in Morocco within a six-week period, describing it as both highly challenging and deeply rewarding. He also pointed to the recent launch of Radisson RED Auckland in New Zealand as another standout project due to the complexity of managing openings across multiple time zones and continents.

Asked what advice he would offer young professionals entering hospitality, Collier summed it up in a single phrase: “Be comfortable with the chaos.”

Despite the complexity, he said the unpredictability of the sector remains one of its greatest attractions.

“No two days are the same,” he said. “Every day you’ve got a different type of challenge, a different type of business opportunity… you’ve got to be ready to adapt to that change and embrace it.”

Luxury travellers from the Gulf are increasingly choosing European destinations over traditional short-haul holiday hotspots during the Eid Al Adha break, driving a sharp rise in demand for private aviation services, according to data from private jet operator VistaJet.

VistaJet said flight enquiries for the Eid holiday week were up 144 per cent compared with the first week of June, while requests for flights to European destinations rose 94 per cent, reflecting growing demand for longer summer holidays in cooler climates.

The company said average flight durations during the Eid period increased 62 per cent from normal levels, signalling stronger demand for long-haul and multi-stop itineraries.

Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy and the UK emerged as the most sought-after destinations among Gulf travellers, while demand for traditional tropical leisure markets was softer than in previous holiday periods, the company said.

Busiest routes

Among the busiest routes were domestic flights within Saudi Arabia, Kuwait to the UK, Saudi Arabia to France and Spain, Egypt to France, Kuwait to France, and Qatar to Saudi Arabia.

The trend points to a shift in travel patterns among private aviation customers in the Gulf, with travellers increasingly seeking longer holidays centred on family time and visits to multiple destinations during the summer season.

Saudi Arabia also recorded strong domestic demand, which VistaJet attributed in part to its ability to operate domestic flights within the kingdom after becoming the first global private aviation operator certified to fly domestic routes there last year.

“Eid travel patterns this year are noticeably shifting towards Europe, particularly among travellers looking to extend holidays beyond the traditional long weekend format,” said Simon Budden, senior vice president of fleet sales at VistaJet.

“We are seeing more demand for longer stays, multi-stop itineraries and destinations that allow families to combine leisure, flexibility and time together across the summer period,” he said.

The company said travellers were increasingly prioritising privacy, flexibility and the ability to move easily between destinations, particularly on itineraries involving multiple stops.

VistaJet said demand for its long-range aircraft remained strong among Gulf travellers seeking direct intercontinental connections during peak travel periods.

The company said its global network provides access to more than 2,400 airports worldwide.

Read: Last-minute Eid plans? Dubai hotels launch staycation packages

Five Iron Golf has announced the opening of its second Dubai location, expanding its footprint in the UAE as demand grows for technology-led indoor sports and entertainment experiences.

The new venue, located at Damac Towers by Paramount in Business Bay, marks the latest phase of the company’s regional expansion strategy following the launch of its first UAE site at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina in 2024.

Positioned near Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, the approximately 6,500-square-foot venue is designed to cater to professionals, residents and visitors seeking experience-driven leisure and networking spaces within Dubai’s commercial core.

The company said the Business Bay expansion also responds to rising demand for indoor entertainment concepts that can operate year-round, particularly during the summer season.

The venue features five Trackman-powered golf simulators equipped with multi-angle swing analysis technology and access to hundreds of international golf courses. In addition to golf, the facility includes three multisport simulators offering interactive experiences across football, disc golf and other skill-based games.

The site also includes a private simulator room designed for small group gatherings, client entertainment and corporate events, alongside flexible booking options covering casual play, leagues and private functions.

Guests will also have access to Callaway club fitting experiences, allowing players to test equipment and performance technology.

“We have been very deliberate in selecting the location for our second Five Iron in Dubai, and Business Bay stood out as a natural fit,” said David Zabinsky, managing partner of Five Iron Golf UAE. “With its proximity to major office hubs and residential communities, this venue allows us to better serve Dubai’s after-work and social crowd, while continuing to offer a high-quality, accessible golf and entertainment experience.”

Beyond golf, the venue has been positioned as a hospitality-led sports and entertainment destination, featuring a full-service bar, lounge seating and social gaming experiences including pool and darts.

“Dubai continues to be one of the most dynamic markets in the world for hospitality-driven entertainment concepts,” said Jared Solomon, co-founder and CEO of Five Iron Golf. “The success of our first Dubai location in Dubai Marina confirmed strong demand for an experience that blends technology, sport, and social connection. Expanding into Business Bay allows us to further serve a global audience of professionals, residents, and visitors seeking a premium, welcoming environment to play, practise, and connect.”

Five Iron Golf currently operates more than 40 locations globally across the United States, Europe and the Middle East. The company is backed by investors including Callaway Golf and Enlightened Hospitality Investments, founded by restaurateur Danny Meyer.

The Business Bay venue is now open for simulator play, private events, corporate bookings and group reservations.

Residents across the UAE are set to experience a stretch of intense heat during the Eid Al Adha holiday period, with temperatures expected to soar as high as 48°C in inland areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

The weather authority said conditions throughout the week would remain hot over inland regions and relatively hot across coastal areas and islands during daytime hours, while nights and early mornings are expected to be generally moderate, a WAM report said.

Read more-Last-minute Eid plans? Dubai hotels launch staycation packages

According to the NCM forecast, the country will continue to experience fair to partly cloudy weather through Friday, with clouds expected to develop at times over eastern regions. The latest weather bulletin noted that weak surface pressure systems, combined with an upper-air high-pressure extension, are influencing conditions across the Emirates.

Temperatures set to rise across the UAE

Forecasters said maximum temperatures are expected to range between 35°C and 43°C in coastal areas and islands, while inland regions could see temperatures climb between 43°C and 48°C. Mountainous areas are forecast to remain comparatively cooler, with highs ranging from 28°C to 35°C.

Minimum temperatures are expected to vary between 24°C and 32°C along the coast and islands, 19°C to 27°C inland, and between 24°C and 30°C in mountainous regions.

The NCM also warned that humidity levels will increase during late night and early morning hours, particularly across coastal areas. Humidity could reach up to 90 percent in some coastal and island locations, raising the likelihood of mist or light fog formation, especially on Monday and Friday mornings.

Officials said fog or mist may develop over western coastal areas as humid conditions intensify overnight into Tuesday morning.

Winds to trigger dusty conditions

Winds are expected to remain light to moderate throughout much of the week, shifting from southeasterly to northwesterly directions. However, weather officials warned that winds could freshen at times during the daytime, reaching speeds of up to 35 km/hr and causing blowing dust in exposed areas.

In mountainous regions, winds are forecast to vary from southwesterly to northeasterly at similar speeds.

Despite the warmer temperatures and occasional dusty conditions, sea conditions are expected to remain relatively calm. The Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea are both forecast to stay slight throughout the week.

Stable conditions expected through friday

The broader weather outlook indicates generally stable conditions across the country from Tuesday through Friday, with fair to partly cloudy skies continuing in most regions.

Humidity is expected to persist during nighttime and early morning hours over coastal locations, while daytime conditions will remain dry and hot.

Winds are likely to stay light to moderate overall, occasionally becoming fresh during the afternoon.

By Friday, forecasters expect winds to ease slightly, with speeds ranging between 10 km/hr and 20 km/hr, reaching up to 30 km/hr at times.

Authorities have urged residents to take precautions during peak daytime hours as temperatures continue to rise during the Eid holiday week.

“The public is advised to avoid direct exposure to sunlight during daytime hours,” the NCM said in its advisory.

Weather officials also encouraged residents to stay hydrated and monitor official forecasts for any updates related to fog, reduced visibility or dusty conditions over the coming days.

Dubai’s hospitality sector is rolling out a series of Eid-focused staycation and leisure packages as hotels and beach destinations look to capitalise on heightened domestic tourism demand during the upcoming long weekend.

Operators including voco Bonnington Dubai, Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers and RIVA Beach Club have launched bundled accommodation and beach access offers aimed at residents seeking short-haul leisure experiences within the emirate.

The seasonal campaigns reflect a broader trend across Dubai’s hospitality market, where hotels and lifestyle destinations increasingly use value-added packages, flexible check-in benefits and food-and-beverage incentives to drive occupancy and consumer spending during peak holiday periods.

At voco Bonnington Dubai, Eid staycation packages are available between May 20 and May 31, with rates starting from Dhs250++ per room per night, excluding the Tourism Dirham Fee. The offer includes complimentary access to RIVA Beach Club, alongside room upgrades subject to availability, early check-in and late check-out options.

The property is also leveraging cross-brand partnerships to encourage repeat visitation, with guests spending Dhs400 at the beach club receiving an Dhs100 voucher redeemable on a future visit.

Meanwhile, Mövenpick Jumeirah Lakes Towers has introduced a family-oriented Eid package running across the same period, with room rates starting from Dhs300++ per night. The campaign includes a “book one room, get the second at 50 per cent off” promotion, in addition to complimentary access to RIVA Beach Club.

Beach and day-leisure experiences are also expected to see increased traction during the Eid holiday period. RIVA Beach Club has launched a range of Eid long weekend offers targeting both residents and staycation guests, including weekday access packages and beverage-led pool experiences.

The beach club’s Eid promotion is priced at Dhs150 per adult, including Dhs125 redeemable on food and beverages, while children’s access is priced at Dhs99 and fully redeemable on dining. A separate “Sip & Splash” package offers three hours of unlimited house beverages with pool access for Dhs199 per person.