Business Bureau, Gulf Today

The 6th Annual Arab Future Cities Summit highlighted the region’s rapid development to become a global leader in smart cities, with Dubai being at the forefront of this transformation. With this growth, the role of digital technologies and smart solutions is ever increasing. According a report by KPMG, the Middle East and Africa’s Smart Cities market will double from $1.3 billion in 2018 to $2.7 billion by 2022. Building cities integrated with next-generation technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoTs) and artificial intelligence (AI) begins with making investments that leverage on advanced IT infrastructure.

With top industry leaders and market players coming together to support the drive towards smart cities, and in line with Dubai’s vision 2021 to transform the emirate into a smart city, this event was a platform to discuss and showcase new technologies, opportunities and trends. On the sidelines of this event, Rémi Pouchucq, Business Development Manager Middle East & Africa, Edge Computing, Small & Medium Data Center commented: “Large investments are going into technologies that enable smart cities, and the UAE has set itself as a benchmark for smart city innovation in the region.  

With urbanization moving at its current pace, developing solutions that tackle issues in terms of energy, safety, mobility, sustainability and overall wellbeing remain at paramount importance to us at Schneider Electric. Thanks to the numerous government-lead initiatives, businesses and individuals are becoming increasingly aware of new gateways that technology opens for them, helping them identify and respond to the critical need to be planet- and profitability-compatible. We look forward to being part of this move towards building the smart cities of tomorrow.”

As part of his presentation on the topic of Edge Computing titled “The Rise of Edge Computing: Applications and Benefits”, Pouchucq shared insights on new trends in the world of digitization and how it is impacting people’s lives, ultimately paving the way towards smart cities. He also shared insights about new technologies, followed by a dive into the growing number of applications available in the market today. The session ended with an exchange of best practices and requirements in innovation and the role that technology plays as a catalyst, accelerating the drive towards a smarter, digital world.

Meanwhile, The region’s exemplary hospitality professionals and industry veterans gathered at Ritz Carlton DIFC for the eighth Middle East Hospitality Awards (MEHA). Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort was named 5-Star Hotel of the Year, One&Only Royal Mirage bagged the Resort of the Year title and Pierchic won Restaurant of the Year.

Colm McLoughlin executive vice chairman and CEO Dubai Duty Free accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award, for his contribution in shaping Dubai’s tourism, hospitality and retail sectors, at MEHA sponsored by Restonic, Montalbano, 1765 Gemini, Stölzle Lausitz, CHURCHiLL, Mai Dubai and The Goodness Company.

The Chef of the Year title was awarded to Yoann Grillet Director of Culinary at FIVE Palm Jumeirah. The highly anticipated Hospitality Leader of the Year title, which had 16 strong contenders neck and neck in the shortlist, was secured by Alaa Eldin Saleh, Managing Director, Accor Hotels. Nashon Mwamba, Guest Service Manager, The H Dubai was recognised in the Rising Star category.

Hotel Launch of the Year title was claimed by W Dubai – The Palm and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace Bluewaters Dubai bagged the Restaurant Launch of the Year award.

folly by Nick & Scott locked its place in two categories as Best Bar/Nightlife of the Year and Restaurant Team of the Year.

ShuiQi Spa & Fitness in Atlantis, The Palm was recognised as Spa/Wellness Centre of the Year and Rove Dubai Marina picked up the Event Venue of the Year award.

Vida Downtown was named 4-Star Hotel of the Year and Rove Downtown Dubai locked the judges’ votes in the 3-Star Hotel of the Year category. Emaar Hospitality and Winnow Solutions emerged winners in MEHA’s debutant category Best Use of Technology. Most Impressive Hotel Feature award went to The Canyon Walk - W Amman. The Heartists at Sofitel the Palm Dubai won in the Hotel Team of the Year category and Fitness Facility of the Year is Healthclub, Fairmont The Palm.

A special addition to the Awards this year was the Best Hotel Room Set Design that was won by Godwin Austen Johnson. Renowned interior design companies Godwin Austen Johnson, Gensler, and STYLIS NSG had created a room set design at The Hotel Show Dubai based upon the theme Dubai: A World of Possibility, A Lifetime of Stories. Visitors at the event had voted for their favourite room set design during the first and second days of the Hotel Show.