Upcoming Additions in Middle East and Africa to the World of Minor Hotels in 2026

Dubai Downtown Hotel

Dubai Downtown Hotel – Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Anticipated Relaunch: Q1 2026
Anantara Downtown Dubai Hotel unveils a new era of urban sophistication following a complete renovation of its 252 guest rooms and suites. The hotel’s luxurious accommodation range from an expansive 52 sqm rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary décor, to 235 sqm suites with private balconies, and pools. The new signature restaurant, Ziya, introduces stylish brunches, a contemporary international menu, and a welcoming courtyard for intimate evenings. Ideally located just 10 minutes from Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa, World Trade Centre, and Dubai International Financial Centre, the hotel is ideal for business travellers, MICE guests, and city explorers seeking a dynamic base in the heart of downtown Dubai.

Anantara Kafue River Zambia Tented Camp – Kafue National Park, Zambia

Anantara Kafue River Zambia Tented Camp

Anticipated Opening: Q2 2026
Anantara’s first tented camp will immerse guests deep in the heart of Kafue National Park, Zambia’s largest and oldest reserve, home to over 500 bird species. This unique camp, situated between two islands and elevated 3.5 metres on timber platforms, is carefully designed to promote the park’s heritage while preserving natural water flow and allowing wildlife to roam freely beneath. Designed by South Africa’s MRS studio, interiors blend contemporary elegance with local authenticity, using organic textures and mid-century accents. The camp features ten villas, including a 400-square-metre Presidential Villa, and three Horizon Terrace Suites, each elevated 14 metres. Days will unfold with curated game drives, river safaris, and wellness rituals inspired by local traditions, all set amid untouched wilderness. Read more here.

Tivoli La Vie Muscat Hotel – Muscat, Oman

Tivoli La Vie Muscat Hotel

Anticipated Opening: Q2 2026
Tivoli La Vie Muscat Hotel, the debut of the Tivoli Hotels & Resorts brand in Oman, will provide a refined urban retreat with 79 elegant hotel rooms and 100 fully serviced branded residences designed to reflect Oman’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary elegance. Guests will enjoy elevated dining across three distinctive venues, including a SEEN Rooftop restaurant and bar where the sunset sets the scene for sensory gastronomy, mixology and mingling. The hotel will also feature an Anantara Spa, a rooftop pool, and versatile event spaces for business and social gatherings.

Tivoli and Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resorts – Bilaj Al Jazayer, Bahrain

Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resort

Anticipated Opening: Q4 2026
Tivoli and Avani Bilaj Al Jazayer Bahrain Resorts will introduce two resorts on the Kingdom of Bahrain’s newest waterfront playground in 2026. The luxury Tivoli resort will offer 100 guest rooms and suites, blending Arabian heritage with timeless elegance, while the premium Avani property will feature 110 rooms and suites designed for comfort, style, and connectivity. Guests will enjoy direct beach access, vibrant dining concepts, wellness facilities, and family-friendly amenities across both properties. The openings mark a strategic milestone for Minor Hotels as the group’s debut in the Kingdom and for the group’s Middle East expansion.

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Bahrain tourism industry to reach US$1 billion by 2020

• Kingdom set to showcase at Arabian Travel Market as it targets 36.2% increase in tourism arrivals by 2018

The tourism industry in the Kingdom of Bahrain is growing rapidly and is expected to reach US$1 billion by 2020, according to figures released ahead of Arabian Travel Market 2017, which takes place at the Dubai World Trade Centre April 24-27.

Bahrain witnessed an 8.4% increase in inbound traffic in the third quarter of 2016 and a peak of 1.4 million arrivals during the month of August. With the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA) spearheading a robust marketing campaign, the Kingdom expects to welcome 15.8 million annual visitors by 2018. This will represent an increase of 36.2% on current figures and will place the country’s tourism industry on track to reach its $1 billion 2020 target.

Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, ATM, said: “The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority has engaged with a number of public authorities and private sector organisations over recent months and the returns are beginning to be realised.

“The BTEA now operates seven official representation offices worldwide, with a focus on source markets in Europe and Asia, and will continue to work hand-in-hand with hotels, tour operators and cruise lines to achieve its objectives.”

This phenomenal growth will be driven primarily by the leisure sector, which should rise in terms of value by 4.3% per annum to BHD 1.2 billion in 2026. While business arrivals will generate BHD 219.3 million per annum by 2026.

As activity continues to increase, GDP contributions from tourism will also rise, from the 10.6% contribution witnessed in 2015 to a predicted 13% contribution towards GDP in 2026.

The news comes as inbound investment into Bahrain’s tourism infrastructure reaches new heights. From funding totaling BHD 105.3 million in 2015 – representing 5.3% of total investment that year – investment is expected to reach BHD 217.9 million in 2026, which will be 8.6% of the national total.

The $1.1 billion Airport Modernisation Programme (AMP) at Bahrain International Airport will double capacity from 7 million to 14 million passengers per year, by Q2 2020.

STR Global estimates that there is currently, 12,641 rooms and a pipeline of 4,187 rooms, an increase of 33.1% in hotel stock over the coming years.

Promoting its hotels, leisure attractions and investment opportunities, the Kingdom of Bahrain will enjoy a strong presence at ATM 2017, with several exhibitors participating. These include the Kingdom of Bahrain Tourism Sector, Ministry of Culture, Sabre, Farhat International Tours & Travels WLL and the Gulf Hotel Bahrain. The country’s flagship luxury properties, such as Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay and Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, will also be represented by their respective operators.

To drive the expected demand, BTEA’s plans for 2017 include capitalising on the leisure market, particularly the heritage and cultural aspects, regenerating beaches, targeting cruise passengers, as well as the opening of Avenues Bahrain Mall.

Press added: “The main theme of this year’s ATM is experiential travel and Bahrain is a perfect example of what this sector offers, with investment set aside for the regeneration of the historic bazaar district, Manama Souq and similar projects at Bab Al Bahrain.”

ATM – considered by many industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector – witnessed a year-on-year visitor attendance increase of 9% to over 28,500 in 2016, with 2,785 exhibiting companies, signing business deals worth more than US$ 2.5 billion over four days.

ATM 2017 will build on its success with the announcement of an additional hall as Reed Travel Exhibitions looks to add to its record-breaking achievements of 2016.

For more information on Arabian Travel Market 2017, please visit: www.arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com

Bahrain Tourism Banking On Mice

Bahrain’s tourism recovery is being buoyed by significant growth in its MICE sector as interest in the established Gulf destination piques once again.

To further stimulate meetings business to Bahrain, the destination is ramping up its participation at the upcoming Gulf Incentives, Business, Travel and Meetings (GIBTM), which takes place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 24-26 March 2014.

In addition to participating at the event, Bahrain’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism is one of three key regional National Tourism Offices (NTOs) supporting a brand new post-show familiarisation trip programme.

The familiarisation trips are designed to provide GIBTM’s Hosted Buyers with an insight into business and meetings facilities offered in Bahrain and fellow programme launch partner destinations, Qatar and Jordan.

“Bahrain has recognised the important role the meetings industry will play in the country’s economic revitalisation and is investing in tried-and-tested sales and marketing vehicles such as GIBTM, which provides a platform for further boosting its MICE business,” said GIBTM Exhibition Manager Lois Hall.

“By backing GIBTM’s new post-show familiarisation trip initiative, the awareness of Bahrain’s key MICE-related attributes will be heightened amongst a community of key industry decision makers from Europe, Asia and The Americas who are looking to stage meetings and events in the Gulf.”

The Kingdom has confirmed it will host 15 GIBTM Hosted Buyers who will visit hotels, venues and event locations such as the Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre (BIECC), which is Bahrain’s largest column-free facility with nearly 16,000 square metres of exhibition and meeting space.

The Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) has reported mammoth 116% hike in the number of exhibitions and conferences staged, with 82 events in 2012 compared to 38 in 2011, as corporate confidence in the destination returns.

The amount of exhibition space booked at the BIECC grew 19% to 1.9 million square metres in 2012 (compared to 1.6 million in 2011); the number of exhibitors increased 51% to 3,099 in 2012 compared to 2,047 in 2011; and the number of event visitors improved 46% last year.

BECA said the BD1.6 million (US $4.25 million) revenue it posted in 2012 represented a 34% increase on 2011 figures and anticipated the revival of the exhibition and convention industry witnessed last year would gain further momentum in 2013 and 2014.

Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), home to the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, is another venue highlight, with dedicated conference, meeting and event space capable of handling between 10 and 10,000 guests and track hire also on offer.

In the future, Bahrain’s credentials as a meetings hub will be further boosted with the introduction of new hotels and destinations.

Hilton Worldwide is planning to invest BD60 million ($159 million) in Manama, opening its first DoubleTree Suites by Hilton in 2015. The 350-room property, part of a mixed- used development, will also boast meetings facilities.

Meanwhile, the Hawar Islands, south-east of Bahrain’s mainland, have been earmarked for development in a bid to create an eco-tourism destination ideal for incentives and corporate retreats.

The hosted buyers taking part in the post-GIBTM familiarisation trip will leave ADNEC on Wednesday 26th March at 2pm, returning by midday on Saturday 29th The 2014 show will also feature the first-ever GIBTM-hosted ‘Market Focus on Asia’ event along with a dedicated Asia Pavilion; and the sourceme Pavilion, in partnership with Nicholas Publishing InternationaI (NPI), which will showcase the region’s leading event service suppliers.

In addition GIBTM will also include Business Travel @ GIBTM, which is sponsored by Capital Gate Hyatt, and will feature specialist exhibitors within the Business Travel Zone, a dedicated Business Travel Knowledge programme and exclusive networking opportunities for this specific sector.