La Tribune de lHotellerie

📆 Fairmont Reine Elizabeth's staff approved a proposed agreement with a 91% vote, ending a six-month lockout since November 20, 2024. The agreement includes a 21% salary increase over four years, improved employer contributions to collective insurance, a workload cap of 12 rooms per attendant, and additional measures such as seniority maintenance, increased union releases, equipment allowances, and enhanced leave rights. Reactions highlight the employees' determination (FC–CSN) and the hotel management's focus on operational stability and service quality. The deal could set a precedent for six other hotels in negotiations.

🏨 Saudi Arabia is poised to represent 58% of the Middle East and North Africa's hotel supply by 2028, becoming an emerging tourist destination. Since 2019, the MENA region has seen a 28% increase in RevPAR, with Saudi Arabia leading due to large-scale projects and growing tourism. The Vision 2030 and massive hotel infrastructure investments forecast about 106,000 new hotel rooms within three years. Emerging destinations like Taif and Al Ahsa, currently attracting 20 million annual visitors, provide unique opportunities for pioneer investors, bolstered by the Tourism Development Fund and Ministry of Tourism's Investment Incentive Program. JLL's Amr Elnady suggests that investors maximize returns by diversifying between primary cities like Riyadh and Jeddah and these burgeoning second-tier cities.

🏨 Swiss national Marco Tabet was appointed as General Manager of the iconic Hotel del Coronado in California. With over 20 years of international luxury hospitality experience, Tabet transitions from his successful 6-year leadership at Conrad Punta de Mita in Mexico. He's known for managing renowned Hilton properties, including Hilton Los Cabos, Hilton Lima Miraflores, and Waldorf Astoria Panama. Tabet will oversee daily operations and strategy post a $550 million renovation lasting six years.