FROM COFFEE TO CLUBBING AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

One who launches ambitious projects to solidify their reputation as an industry leader in the region is a true beacon of success.

Nouhad Dammous (2018) Late editor-in-chief Docteur Honoris Causa

Hospitality News Middle East’s editorial team uncovers the latest developments in the region, with a special focus on the coffee industry, nightlife and emerging markets.

Coffee consumers are savvier than ever. According to The Brainy Insights, the specialty coffee market is estimated to grow from USD 53.67 billion in 2021 to USD 152.69 billion by 2030. This spells good news for coffee shops and cafes everywhere, many of which were significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic that gripped the world for more than two years. Indeed, with Covid-19 now largely behind us, a greater number of people have reverted to drinking coffee outside their homes, despite an increase in coffee prices.

There's no doubt that millennials and Generation Z are fueling coffee consumption. Their dependence on takeaway and specialty coffee is unlike anything we have witnessed before, and, according to the experts, things are only getting better for the industry as a whole. Read more about how the market is faring in our special coffee report (pages 54-69).

Just as rich and tasty, chocolate makes an appearance in this issue of Hospitality News Middle East (page 74). Chocolatiers and pastry chefs share their favorite products and which trends have caught their eye.

Staying on the “dark” theme, we also explore the nightlife scene across the Middle East by speaking with several big names in the industry. Having announced a series of ambitious nightlife projects in the UAE and on the northern coast of Egypt, among other locations, these key industry players tell us why they are investing now and what’s on the horizon (page 40).

Finally, our country reports have carved a niche as a valuable deep dive into the hospitality landscape of key Middle Eastern nations. In this issue, we shine the spotlight on Iraq, the UAE and KSA, examining the opportunities and challenges that these important markets present and what the future holds for them.