- As a gateway to the MENA market, the regional design landscape remains a beacon of stability. In the face of global shifts, what specific factors are giving international brands and investors the confidence to deepen their commitment to the GCC’s design and hospitality sectors?
The GCC offers a rare mix of better stability than the wider region, clear long-term vision, and the ability to actually deliver at speed. There’s a strong, visible pipeline of hospitality and mixed-use projects, backed by a solid government intent. In my opinion, that combination gives investors real confidence.
- How is the industry evolving so that design goes beyond aesthetics to actively contribute to the social and economic resilience of the region?
Design is increasingly being treated as a performance tool, not just a visual one. There’s more focus on how spaces support operations, communities, and long-term value. It’s a more purposeful, outcome-driven approach. For instance, institutional investors and developers are increasingly focused on maximizing revenue generation per sqm of the built-up area.
- Given the current climate, what are developers and procurement leaders prioritizing today when selecting regional partners? Are we seeing a shift toward products and collaborations that emphasize local sustainability and long-term security?
There’s a clear shift toward long-term value, durability, lifecycle cost, and supply chain reliability. ESG alignment is becoming a given, not a differentiator. At the same time, local sourcing and regional partnerships are gaining importance for both resilience and speed. Many hotel owners in the region are increasingly looking for local sourcing of items such as FF&E to build resilience.
- What responsibility does the design industry hold in shaping spaces that do more than just inspire? How can we use design to build bridges between the many cultures converging in the region and provide genuine support to the communities we serve?
Design needs to be inclusive and culturally aware, not just visually appealing. In a diverse and cosmopolitan region like ours, spaces should feel both global and locally grounded. Done right, design can create shared experiences that bring people together.
- The Middle East is defined by a spirit of rapid progress that refuses to be stalled by external shifts. How does the industry continue to drive the regional design vision forward, and what message does this continued growth send to the global community about the future of the MENA market?
The region keeps moving forward because ambition is consistently backed by execution. The industry is becoming more collaborative and focused on long-term impact, reinforced by clear messaging and support from governments (like the UAE) that short-term disruptions are just an insignificant part of a much bigger growth story. It sends a strong signal that MENA is not just growing, it’s shaping what comes next.
