Wyndham’s Al Marjan Island bet is less about the Wynn effect and more about proving midscale branded residences have been a missed opportunity all along.
The biggest win for the hospitality sector will be the elimination of manual licensing and compliance checks that quietly drain operator time and margin.
Dubai built its reputation on staying open no matter what. The Iran war has convinced some of its most iconic hotels that closing — even temporarily — is the smarter move.
While most hospitality executives have been in damage-control mode, Kempinski’s CEO envisions an opportunity. With rates held, staff retained, and a development pipeline intact, the company is placing a long-term bet on the Middle East.