Hilton remains confident in the long-term outlook for the UAE and wider Middle East despite recent geopolitical tensions, with the hospitality giant continuing to sign new hotels and accelerate its regional expansion plans.

In an exclusive interview with Gulf Business, Guy Hutchinson, president of Hilton Middle East and Africa, said the company’s investment outlook for the region remains unchanged, pointing to strong economic fundamentals, infrastructure investment and long-term tourism strategies across the Gulf.

“Those fundamentals remain unchanged. In fact, they are going to continue to accelerate,” Hutchinson said. “We’re still signing hotels; we’re still announcing hotels.”

His comments come as the region navigates heightened geopolitical uncertainty, with some governments issuing travel advisories and airlines adjusting flight schedules during the recent conflict.

However, Hutchinson said hospitality has historically proven resilient during periods of volatility and expects the sector to emerge stronger.

“It won’t be the first challenge we’ve faced, and it won’t be the last,” he said. “Travel and tourism are always a long-term play.”

Flexibility and guest support have also been central to Hilton’s approach during this period of uncertainty.

Hutchinson said customers have been able to book and cancel without penalties, and can continue to do so through to the end of the year.

“When you face challenges like this, this is where your values come into play. It’s about really leaning into your customers,” he said.

“Be easy to do business with and encourage people to travel. That’s something we’re doing consistently.”

Watch the full interview below:

Expansion plans continue

That confidence is reflected in Hilton’s development pipeline.

The company currently operates more than 110 hotels across the Middle East and plans to open more than 160 additional properties across 15 brands in the coming years, taking its regional portfolio beyond 270 hotels. The expansion is expected to create approximately 32,000 jobs.

Saudi Arabia remains the centrepiece of Hilton’s growth strategy and is now Hilton’s largest pipeline market in EMEA and third largest globally by rooms.

Hilton has more than 100 hotels trading and under development in the Kingdom, representing a combined owner investment of more than $8bn. The company estimates that one in five internationally branded hotel rooms currently under construction in Saudi Arabia falls under a Hilton brand.

“We’re just scratching the tip of the iceberg in Saudi Arabia,” Hutchinson said. “The journey is only beginning.”

The company also recently deepened its presence in the kingdom through a strategic partnership with Riyadh Air, becoming the inaugural hotel partner for Sfeer, the airline’s lifestyle loyalty programme.

Investor confidence in Hilton’s model also remains strong. Hutchinson noted that more than half of the company’s new hotels in the region come from existing owners and investors.

“You couldn’t get a better testament than that,” he said.

UAE growth story far from over

While Saudi Arabia is attracting significant attention, Hutchinson believes the UAE remains one of the world’s most compelling hospitality markets.

The country is Hilton’s largest operating market in the region, with 36 trading hotels and a further 13 properties in the pipeline.

Reflecting on his first arrival in Dubai in 2000, Hutchinson said many of the questions surrounding the pace of development remain remarkably similar today despite the country’s continued expansion – adding that he believes the UAE still has significant room for growth.

“We’re very, very far from the end of the journey with the UAE. I think we’ve got a long way to go.”

Beyond traditional luxury hotels, Hilton is increasingly focusing on mid-market, lifestyle and branded residential offerings as traveller preferences evolve.

Around one-third of its Middle East pipeline is concentrated in the mid-market segment through brands such as Hampton by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn, while the company is also expanding its branded residences portfolio across the region.

Setting global standards

Looking ahead, Hutchinson believes the Middle East is increasingly shaping global hospitality trends rather than simply adopting them.

“The global standard is being set here,” he said.

“This region is going to increasingly drive the global standards for tourism and travel and hospitality across the world.”

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has proposed amendments to its Data Protection Regulations, introducing new measures aimed at strengthening governance around artificial intelligence, data processing and certification frameworks within the financial centre.

The proposed changes are designed to enhance the existing regulatory framework by embedding stronger safeguards for systems that process personal data in an increasingly AI-driven environment, while also clarifying certification requirements and the responsibilities of Autonomous Systems Officers (ASOs).

Under the proposals, DIFC plans to introduce a new regulation that would grant the Commissioner powers to recognise accreditation and certification schemes, alongside updates intended to strengthen accountability and governance standards.

Jacques Visser, chief legal officer at DIFC Authority, said: “DIFC is pleased to launch this consultation on the proposed amendments to the DIFC Data Protection Regulations. As the use of AI and data-driven systems continues to develop, it is important that the regulatory framework remains practical, clear and able to respond to the way these technologies are being used. These amendments are intended to help provide that clarity, while supporting high standards of accountability and governance across DIFC.”

The proposed amendments build on reforms introduced in 2023, when DIFC updated its Data Protection Regulations to address the growing use of personal data in advanced AI-enabled systems.

According to DIFC, the latest proposals seek to further strengthen Regulation 10 by reinforcing expectations around safe, ethical and privacy-by-design development practices within what it describes as an AI-native jurisdiction.

The changes would also introduce a new Regulation 11, allowing the Commissioner to formally recognise accreditation and certification frameworks, while providing additional clarity on certification obligations and the role of ASOs.

DIFC said the amendments are intended to support a more robust and future-ready data protection framework as organisations increasingly deploy AI technologies and data-driven systems.

The proposed regulations have been published as part of Consultation Paper No. 3 of 2026 and are open for public consultation for 30 days. Stakeholders have until July 18, 2026, to submit feedback on the proposed changes.

The consultation forms part of DIFC’s broader efforts to ensure its regulatory framework keeps pace with technological developments while maintaining high standards of data protection, governance and accountability.

Travel demand across the GCC surged in the run-up to Eid Al Adha 2026, with many travellers opting to depart before the holiday period rather than during it, according to new data from airport services provider Dragonpass.

The company reported a 69 per cent increase in travel activity across the GCC during the week leading up to Eid Al Adha. However, activity fell by 24 per cent during Eid week itself and declined by a further 18 per cent in the week immediately after, indicating a shift in travel patterns compared with previous holiday periods.

Dragonpass said the trend contrasts sharply with Eid Al Fitr earlier this year, when travel activity across the GCC increased by 6 per cent during the holiday week before falling 20 per cent in the following week.

Several GCC markets recorded significant growth ahead of Eid Al Adha. Kuwait posted the strongest increase, with travel activity rising 124.7 per cent week-on-week. Bahrain followed with growth of 108.5 per cent, while the UAE recorded a 79.2 per cent increase. Qatar and Saudi Arabia reported growth of 59.5 per cent and 58.4 per cent, respectively.

Andrew Harrison-Chinn, Chief Marketing Officer at Dragonpass, said: “The contrast between Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha is one of the most interesting travel trends we have observed this year. While Eid Al Fitr generated a more traditional holiday-week travel spike, Eid Al Adha saw travellers moving significantly earlier, with demand building before the holiday rather than during it.

“This highlights the dynamic nature of travel behaviour across the GCC and reinforces the importance of understanding how demand shifts around key travel periods. Despite periods of disruption affecting regional travel earlier this year, demand across the GCC has remained resilient, with travellers continuing to prioritise leisure and holiday travel.”

Saudi Arabia remained one of the region’s strongest-performing travel markets during both holiday periods. During Eid Al Fitr, the Kingdom recorded the largest holiday-week increase in the GCC, led by Madinah with a 58 per cent rise in travel activity, followed by Jeddah (29 per cent), Dammam (25 per cent) and Riyadh (22 per cent).

During Eid Al Adha, Madinah bucked the wider regional trend, recording a 20 per cent increase in travel activity during Eid week and a further 58 per cent rise after the holiday period, reflecting continued demand linked to religious travel.

Dragonpass expects travel demand across the GCC to remain strong throughout the summer season, with evolving travel patterns increasingly influencing passenger flows across the region.

The company said understanding how travellers adjust their behaviour around major holidays and peak travel periods will become increasingly important for airlines, airports and travel industry stakeholders as aviation connectivity continues to expand across the GCC.

The UAE Cabinet, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued a resolution regulating children’s access to social media platforms.

The resolution reflects the UAE’s commitment to establishing an advanced model for child protection in the digital space, reinforcing the national digital safety framework in line with the rapid evolution of technology use, and striking a balance between enabling responsible use of modern technologies and ensuring the highest standards of child protection, WAM reported

The resolution comes amid the growing use of social media platforms by children and the increasing digital challenges and risks associated with such use, including exposure to inappropriate content, unsafe interactions, the collection of personal data, and patterns of excessive usage.

This necessitates the development of an integrated national framework that enables children to benefit from technology while ensuring their protection in the digital environment, and reflects the UAE’s proactive approach in developing advanced legislative models that keep pace with global digital transformations and place child safety among its priorities.

The resolution forms part of an integrated legislative framework encompassing the Child Rights Law, legislation on combating cybercrimes, personal data protection, media regulation, and child digital safety, thereby reinforcing institutional integration and entrenching a proactive and comprehensive approach to child protection in the digital environment.

The resolution applies to all social media platforms that enable users to create accounts or personal profiles, engage in social interaction, publish or share content, or that rely on algorithmic systems to display, rank, or recommend content, whether free or paid. It applies to all platforms whose services are available within the UAE or are directed at users in the country.

What the resolution states

The resolution sets the minimum age for social media use at 15 years.

Children below this age are prohibited from creating, using, or operating personal accounts on social media platforms, and are prohibited from accessing the full features of such platforms, including social interaction, publishing, commenting, sharing, joining public groups, open channels, or any large-scale interactive spaces.

Platforms are required to implement all necessary technical and administrative measures to enforce this prohibition. The resolution also takes into account the gradual transition toward healthier and more balanced digital habits, in a manner that aligns with the different age groups of children and adolescents.

Children between the ages of 15 and 16 are permitted to use social media platforms, subject to enhanced protective measures applied to their accounts.

These measures include age-appropriate content classification and restriction, disabling high-risk features such as interaction with unknown users, regulation of usage time and duration, and the provision of parental control tools, ensuring a safe digital environment appropriate to their age.

The resolution explicitly provides that parental consent shall not constitute a valid exemption from the prohibitions or restrictions set out therein. It further permits the child caregiver to configure the settings of accounts belonging to children between the ages of 15 and 16, through the parental control tools provided by social media platforms, provided that such configuration does not contravene the prescribed prohibitions and restrictions.

Read: Roblox mandates facial age checks worldwide for access to chat

Effective and reliable age verification mechanisms

Platforms are required to implement effective and reliable age verification mechanisms, including digital identity verification, AI-supported technologies such as biometric tools, or any other mechanisms approved by the Child Digital Safety Council, WAM reported.

Self-declaration of age shall not be accepted as a valid method of verification. Platforms must ensure that the mechanisms used achieve a high level of accuracy in determining user age, while adhering to the highest standards of child privacy and personal data protection. This includes minimising data collection, securing data processing, and ensuring data is not retained beyond the period strictly necessary.

Verification mechanisms must be subject to regular review and audit, and clear information must be provided to users on how they operate, in order to promote trust and transparency in the digital environment.

All social media platforms, whose services are available within the UAE or are directed at users in the country, are required to monitor personal accounts created by children under the age of 15 in violation of the resolution’s provisions, and to take immediate action to suspend or disable such accounts.

Platforms must also implement the necessary technical and administrative measures to prevent circumvention of their systems, refrain from targeting children with personalised advertising based on tracking or behavioural profiling, and from exploiting or processing their personal data for commercial purposes that depend on monitoring or tracking their digital activities.

Platforms must provide parental control tools and awareness materials for children and their caregivers, conduct periodic child digital safety risk assessments, and submit regular reports to the competent authorities. Thereby positioning platforms as strategic partners and reinforces their shared responsibility in safeguarding and protecting children.

The resolution affirms the responsibilities of the child’s caregiver, which include refraining from enabling the child to use platforms in violation of the resolution’s provisions, refraining from circumventing age verification mechanisms, exercising effective supervision over the child’s permitted digital activity, and promoting the child’s awareness of digital risks and safe usage practices.

The resolution provides families with a clear framework and practical tools to help guide children toward more responsible, balanced, and mindful digital engagement.

Oversight and supervision of platforms’ compliance with the obligations, controls, and standards set out in the resolution are assigned to the National Media Authority, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, each within its respective jurisdiction, with authority to take all necessary measures in the event of non-compliance, including warning or partial or full blocking of platforms or the imposition of applicable administrative penalties while observing graduated enforcement.

The Child Digital Safety Council shall assess the risks and impacts associated with children’s access to social media platforms, and propose the necessary measures to address and mitigate them in coordination with the relevant federal and local authorities.

The council shall ensure the effective implementation of the resolution and the continuous development of the child digital safety framework.

Social media platforms given time to comply

Social media platforms are granted a transitional period of up to 12 months to bring their operations into compliance with the resolution’s provisions, while ensuring effective communication and coordination with the competent authorities during this transitional period to ensure technical and regulatory readiness.

The resolution is closely aligned with leading global trends in digital child protection and establishes a forward-looking model that effectively combines digital safety, family empowerment, platform responsibility, and practical enforceability, thereby advancing the UAE’s transition to a new phase of digital space regulation, founded on proactive legislation, institutional integration, and a balanced approach between innovation and protection.

The move reinforces the UAE’s position as a leading global model in child protection and digital safety, and reflects the country’s enduring commitment to building a safe and sustainable digital society.

HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, has launched the Ministry of Finance Strategic Plan 2027–2029, introducing a new framework aimed at enhancing public financial management, advancing fiscal policies and strengthening the UAE’s future economic readiness.

The new strategy is designed to support sustainable growth, improve government financial performance and reinforce the UAE’s position as a global financial and economic hub.

HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “This Strategic Plan marks a new milestone in the evolution of the UAE’s government financial ecosystem and reflects an ambitious national vision to strengthen the country’s future readiness. It establishes a more proactive and agile financial model that supports sustainable growth, enhances national competitiveness and reinforces the UAE’s global standing.”

He added: “Guided by the vision of our wise leadership, the UAE continues to advance its fiscal policies to ensure they remain responsive to change and capable of creating new opportunities. Through this Plan, the Ministry of Finance will further strengthen the role of public finance as a strategic driver of sustainable development, government excellence and quality of life, which remains a national priority.”

HH further noted: “The new Plan is built on an integrated future-focused vision that will bring government financial management to new levels of readiness, effectiveness and impact through the adoption of proactive, agile and innovative financial policies and solutions, the strengthening of strategic partnerships, and the expansion of financial and economic cooperation. This approach will further position the UAE as a key partner in shaping the future of regional and global finance and economic development.”

The strategy aligns with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision, We the UAE 2031, federal strategies and global trends in public finance, sustainability, innovation and digital transformation.

According to the Ministry, the plan marks a shift towards a more collaborative and integrated public finance model, placing greater emphasis on partnerships, cross-government cooperation, innovation and long-term financial resilience.

Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said: “The Strategic Plan provides a comprehensive framework for advancing the government financial ecosystem by enhancing its agility and ability to respond to change, while reinforcing the Ministry’s role in strengthening the UAE’s competitiveness, improving government financial performance and building partnerships that elevate the country’s presence on the global financial and economic stage.”

“We remain focused on translating strategic priorities into tangible impact through a more integrated and proactive operating model that invests in talent, leverages innovation and emerging technologies, and supports informed decision-making, ultimately enhancing resource efficiency and ensuring sustainable outcomes,” he added.

A key pillar of the strategy is the acceleration of digital transformation and artificial intelligence across government financial services.

Among the flagship initiatives announced under the plan are a Smart Legal Research tool, the acceptance of digital currencies as an approved payment method for federal service fees, AI-powered government procurement systems, an AI-based archiving system, a National Assistant for Financial Analysis, a Smart Digital Strategic Partnerships Platform and a National Observatory for Fiscal Policy and Innovation.

The Ministry also plans to expand predictive and proactive financial services through initiatives such as a Smart Predictive Budgeting Platform, an Integrated Smart System for Government Revenue Management and Financial Analysis, a Federal Government Monetary Forecasting Platform and a programme focused on smart and sustainable management of government assets.

The Strategic Plan 2027–2029 is built around three overarching objectives: strengthening fiscal sustainability and resilience, achieving global leadership in government financial performance, and enhancing the UAE’s international standing through strategic partnerships.

The Ministry said the framework will also focus on developing national talent, expanding future skills programmes and increasing the use of artificial intelligence, strategic foresight and advanced technologies across government financial operations.

The strategy is underpinned by six institutional values: proactiveness, agility and efficiency, partnership and integration, innovation and leadership, integrity and transparency, and teamwork.