Hala Matar Choufany, President for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia at HVS, is one of the hospitality industry’s most experienced and influential advisers. Over the past two decades, she has advised on more than 5,000 hospitality and mixed-use projects across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, working with owners, investors and developers on valuations, acquisitions, asset management, strategic investment, development and contract negotiations. In this interview with Breaking Travel News, Choufany examines the forces reshaping global hospitality, from the shift towards stronger operational performance and asset management to changing guest expectations, talent shortages and the growing influence of artificial intelligence. She also explores the opportunities emerging across the Middle East and Africa, why the next phase of hospitality growth will depend as much on people and execution as new development, and what industry leaders should be discussing as they gather at FHS World in Dubai.

AI can help simplify choices and make travel planning more relevant, but travellers still want confidence, reassurance, and ultimately the final say when it comes to making important travel decisions

As Saudi Arabia moves into the next phase of its tourism transformation, developing the skills, leadership and local capabilities required to translate unprecedented investment into sustainable economic value will become increasingly important, according to Ibrahim Osta, Senior Economic Growth Director and Global Tourism Lead at Chemonics International, and Professor of Management at the George Washington University School of Business.

Meliá White House, part of Meliá Hotels International, is excited to announce a new residency between Nilam Holmes, founder of Dermaspa and a renowned skin and brow expert, and The Level at Meliá White House.  Renowned for her work with A-listers and as a guest expert on shows like 10 Years Younger, Nilam Holmes has pioneered innovations such as HD Brows, Collagenwave, and Eyebrow Queen cosmetics. Nilam and her expert team will now offer advanced beauty and aesthetics treatments exclusively at The Level, Meliá White House.

Tourism to Israel is poised for renewed momentum as leading U.S. and Canadian airlines prepare to restore nonstop service to Tel Aviv, expanding access from key North American gateway markets in the months ahead. The return of major carriers signals growing confidence in the market and provides travelers with more direct options to reach Israel as demand for travel rebounds.

Helvetia & Bristol Firenze – Starhotels Collezione celebrates one of Florence’s most anticipated cultural events this fall with Beyond the Fragment, a new experience bringing together art and wellness, inspired by Broken. The Power of the Fragment, the exhibition on view at Palazzo Strozzi from September 25, 2026.

With a jump of nearly a quarter, it was a hot July for the travel jobs market, according to the latest figures from C&M Travel Recruitment. The number of new travel job opportunities increased by 24 per cent last month, meaning that July’s total was the highest since February. Compared to July 2025, the figure was down by just one per cent.