The Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection in Dubai has once again earned the prestigious Great Place to Work® certification in the Middle East, achieving an impressive score of 90%. This milestone reflects the organization's commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaging work environment for its team members across its three iconic hotels.

To celebrate the achievement, the hotel collection organized a Great Place to Work Fun Fair, offering employees a day of excitement, games, and prizes. The event also featured special recognitions for standout departments, acknowledging their exceptional contributions to creating a welcoming atmosphere for both guests and staff.

Leaders from the collection, including Stefan Radstrom, General Manager of Al Habtoor Palace, and Ziwa Htun, Complex Director of HR & Training, expressed their appreciation for the team’s dedication. The celebrations concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony, symbolizing the collective success of the workforce.

Soufiane El Allam, Complex Commercial Director of Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection, highlighted the importance of this recognition, saying, "Having garnered the Great Place to Work title yet again with a remarkable 90% score speaks deeply about our people-first culture and the incredible efforts that our team takes in everything that they do as part of the Collection. At Al Habtoor City, our employees are our foremost assets, and this feat directly speaks about our workplace's inclusive environment where every individual feels valued, inspired, and motivated to attain greater heights."

This re-certification underscores the hotel collection’s dedication to cultivating a workplace where employees thrive, ultimately enhancing the overall guest experience. By prioritizing teamwork, recognition, and engagement, the Al Habtoor City Hotel Collection continues to set a high standard for workplace excellence in the hospitality industry.

The Corinthian, developed in collaboration with Chantiers de l’Atlantique, is designed to be the world’s largest sailing yacht. Measuring 220 meters and equipped with 4,500 square meters of sails on three inclinable masts, the vessel will achieve speeds of up to 17 knots using wind power alone.

Accor Group Chairman & CEO Sébastien Bazin described the project as a blend of heritage and innovation:

“Harnessing its boundless imagination, Orient Express has conjured up a dreamworld of discoveries, meetings, motion and emotions. With Orient Express Corinthian, the Orient Express legend is now preparing to sail the world’s finest seas offering an unprecedented experience of travel and adventure. Drawing inspiration from the golden age of luxury cruises, the yacht reinvents movement and comfort on the water and is designed to meet the sustainability challenges of the future. It’s a great source of pride for all of us.”

Maxime d’Angeac, the Artistic Director of Orient Express, spearheaded the yacht's design, which reflects the elegance of the brand’s legacy. "All the suites and the entire design of the yacht have been conceived as unique spaces that break the boundaries of Orient Express’s classic decorative grammar while remaining true to its very particular codes. A contemporary vision of Orient Express, that of an era in which high quality is synonymous with excellence and calls for a real aesthetic revolution," d’Angeac noted.

The yacht includes 54 suites ranging from 45 to 230 square meters, with panoramic bay windows providing breathtaking ocean views. These spaces serve as tranquil retreats for guests, offering privacy and comfort while embracing the sea’s beauty.

The Orient Express Corinthian offers an array of amenities, including five restaurants, eight bars, and a Parisian-style cabaret with art deco influences. Other features include a recording studio, a cinema, a spa, and a marina for waterfront dining and activities.

For those seeking relaxation, a 16.6-meter swimming pool on Deck 6 provides the perfect space to unwind. The yacht’s design ensures a unique and memorable travel experience, with opportunities to explore iconic destinations from a fresh perspective.

The Corinthian combines luxury with cutting-edge technology. Its sails, designed using SolidSail technology, offer wind-powered propulsion, while an advanced LNG-powered engine stands ready to transition to green hydrogen as the technology evolves.

With its roots in luxury rail travel dating back to 1883, Orient Express continues to expand its offerings. Following the launch of its first hotels and the La Dolce Vita train, the Corinthian marks another milestone in the brand’s history. 

Dusit International, one of Thailand’s premier hotel and property development firms, has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund (TDF). This agreement, formalized at the 2024 World Travel Market in London, aims to set the groundwork for new hospitality projects across Saudi Arabia, enhancing the Kingdom’s tourism infrastructure and expanding Dusit’s reach into a key growth market.

This collaboration aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes expanding the tourism sector to attract international visitors. According to recent figures, the Kingdom achieved 8.2% growth in visitor spending in early 2024, totaling around SAR 92.6 billion, alongside a notable surplus in the travel account. Additionally, international tourist arrivals in Saudi Arabia surged by 73% in 2024 compared to 2019, with tourism receipts climbing by 207%, leading the G20 countries in tourism growth metrics. With this growing appeal, Saudi Arabia aims to support sustainable, high-impact projects that will diversify the tourism sector and support infrastructure enhancements.

Under the MoU, Dusit and TDF will collaborate to identify and develop strategic hotel projects across the Kingdom, leveraging Dusit’s extensive hospitality experience and brand portfolio. Dusit’s CEO, Ms. Suphajee Suthumpun, emphasized the importance of this partnership, noting, “This marks a significant milestone for us as we seek to bring our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to one of the world’s most dynamic tourism landscapes.” She highlighted that Saudi Arabia represents a key growth market for Dusit and welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the Kingdom’s National Tourism Strategy.

Dusit currently operates 301 properties in 18 countries, including eight hotels in the Middle East, under a range of brands, such as Dusit Thani, dusitD2, and Dusit Princess, among others. Recently, the company introduced the Devarana – Dusit Retreats brand, specializing in luxury wellness, and Dusit Collection, which focuses on bespoke luxury. The company’s diversified expertise also includes hospitality education through Dusit Thani College and Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School, property development through Dusit Estate, and hospitality-related services.

The Mansard in Saudi Arabia is Dusit’s latest project, adding to its footprint in the region. Through this partnership, Dusit and TDF aim to deliver exceptional hospitality experiences that provide long-term value for guests, investors, and the community, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s positioning as a leading tourism destination.