Latest news with #ThomasSchmelter
Web Release
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Belgian Café at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City Brings Back the Ultimate Match Day Experience with Live FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Screenings
Following the roaring success of last year's football season, Belgian Café at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City is once again set to become a vibrant hub for sports lovers as it hosts live screenings of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, running from 15 June to 13 July. A fan-favorite during every major tournament, Belgian Café has built a loyal following of football enthusiasts who return year after year to relive the thrill of the game in a setting that feels like home. Last summer's Euro Cup screenings turned Belgian Café into a go-to destination for football fans across Dubai, creating an electric atmosphere filled with cheers, camaraderie, and memorable moments that captured the true spirit of the game. 'At Belgian Café, watching football goes beyond the game, it's about a sense of community. It's the shared energy, the passion in every cheer, and the lasting memories made with every goal and gathering. Over the years, the café has become a beloved home for sports fans, and we look forward to welcoming them back for another unforgettable season,' said Thomas Schmelter, Area General Manager for IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City. Now, the stage is set once again. Guests can expect the same electric atmosphere—enhanced by a massive HD screen, energetic crowds, a delicious European menu, and a wide selection of craft and draft beverages. Whether you're there for the kick-off or the final whistle, Belgian Café promises an immersive football experience that combines the best of sport, food, and friendship. Indoor and terrace seating options are available, and guests are encouraged to arrive early or book in advance. Match schedules will be shared via Belgian Café's social media platforms to help fans plan their visit. For more information, please visit Follow us:
Web Release
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Celebrate Eid al-Adha with Exclusive Staycation and Lunch Offers at IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City
This Eid al-Adha, IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City invites guests to enjoy meaningful moments with exclusive staycation offers across its four iconic properties—InterContinental, InterContinental Residence Suites, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn & Suites. Whether you're seeking luxury, relaxation, or quality family time during the holiday, each hotel offers tailored experiences to make your Eid truly unforgettable. 'We're delighted to welcome families and travellers for Eid al-Adha with exceptional hospitality, curated experiences, and exclusive dining,' said Thomas Schmelter, Area General Manager, IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City. 'Our staycation offers are designed to help guests celebrate the spirit of the season in comfort and style.' InterContinental Dubai Festival City Enjoy up to 25% off stays in elegant rooms and suites with stunning views of Dubai Creek. The package includes breakfast for two at Anise Restaurant, exclusive adults-only access to voco Monaco Dubai at The World Islands, VIP shopping privileges, and 1,000 IHG One Rewards points per booking. Rates starting from AED 691++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | [email protected] Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City Unwind with a well-rounded Eid stay at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City. Guests can enjoy up to 25% off, with a night's stay that includes dinner and breakfast at Zaytoun restaurant, along with an AED 100 credit to unwind at SPA InterContinental. Families benefit from a 15% discount on full-day access to Hello Park, while shoppers can explore unbeatable offers at Dubai Festival City Mall. Every stay is rewarded with 1,000 IHG One Rewards points. Rates starting from AED 514++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | [email protected] Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Festival City Celebrate Eid with your loved ones through this value-packed offer featuring up to 25% off stays, breakfast and dinner at Sirocco Restaurant, kids' full-day access to Fabyland, AED 100 spa credit for adults, shopping voucher booklets, and 1,000 IHG One Rewards points. Rates starting from AED 324++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | [email protected] InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City Welcome the holiday with a tranquil stay at InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City. Guests enjoy up to 25% off their stay, a gourmet breakfast at MezzaLuna Trattoria Italiana, and special retail offers from Dubai Festival City mall. Families can explore Leo & Loona Indoor Family Park with exclusive access, while also collecting 1,000 IHG One Rewards points with every booking. Rates starting from AED 661++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | [email protected] Eid al-Adha at Anise – InterContinental Dubai Festival City Celebrate the festive season at Anise with a vibrant Eid buffet featuring eight live cooking stations and a wide selection of international flavours. Guests will enjoy soulful live Oud music during lunch, complemented by refreshing mocktails to enhance the celebratory ambiance. To make the experience even more enjoyable for families, a range of fun activities will be available for children. The Eid buffet is available on Day 1 and 2 of Eid al-Adha, with lunch served from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and dinner from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM. The experience is priced at AED 295 per person, while children up to six years old dine complimentary. Children between the ages of six and eleven can enjoy the buffet for AED 110. For more information or to make a booking, visit or call +971 4 701 1127/28. Fun-Filled Eid at Sirocco – Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Festival City Families are invited to gather at Sirocco for a generous Eid buffet filled with global dishes and festive charm. Children will be entertained with dedicated activities, making it an ideal venue for joyful gatherings. The Eid buffet is offered on Day 1 and 2 of Eid al-Adha, with lunch served from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and dinner from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM. The dining experience is priced at AED 199 per person, inclusive of soft beverages. Children under two years old dine free. For bookings and more details, visit or call +971 4 701 1127/28. Celebrate the Spirit of Eid Whether you're looking to relax, reconnect, or celebrate with loved ones, IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City offers everything you need for a joyful Eid al-Adha holiday. For more details and bookings, visit:
Al Bawaba
01-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Celebrate ‘Your Summer, Your Way' with IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City
This summer, IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City invites travellers to discover unforgettable moments and personalised escapes with its signature seasonal campaign – 'Your Summer, Your Way'. Whether you're seeking laid-back luxury, vibrant family fun, or a wellness-centred staycation, each of the four iconic properties—InterContinental, InterContinental Residence Suites, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn & Suites—offers exclusive packages tailored to the essence of the season. 'Our summer campaign celebrates individuality and indulgence,' said Thomas Schmelter, Area General Manager, IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City. 'With carefully curated experiences for adults, couples, and families alike, 'Your Summer, Your Way' showcases the best of Dubai hospitality through exceptional value, convenience, and connection.' InterContinental Dubai Festival City Embrace the spirit of the season with an elevated city escape at InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Guests can enjoy up to 25% off their stay in elegant rooms and suites overlooking the iconic Dubai Creek, along with a gourmet breakfast for two at Anise Restaurant. As a highlight, indulge in exclusive adults-only access to voco Monaco Dubai at The World Islands—offering a tranquil coastal retreat within reach of the city. Take advantage of VIP shopping privileges at Dubai Festival City Mall and earn 1,000 IHG One Rewards points with every booking. Rates starting from AED 691++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City For those looking to balance rest and rejuvenation, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City offers a well-rounded stay. Guests can enjoy up to 25% off, with a night's stay that includes dinner and breakfast at Zaytoun restaurant, along with an AED 100 credit to unwind at SPA InterContinental. Families benefit from a 15% discount on full-day access to Hello Park, while shoppers can explore unbeatable offers at Dubai Festival City Mall. Every stay is rewarded with 1,000 IHG One Rewards points. Rates starting from AED 514++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Festival City Unwind and reconnect this summer with Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Festival City's Stay, Play & Indulge offering. Enjoy up to 25% off your stay, including a delicious dinner and breakfast for the entire family at Sirocco restaurant. Children can enjoy full-day access to Fabyland—the ultimate indoor fun zone—while adults relax with AED 100 credit at Dreamworks Spa. As an added bonus, receive a shopping voucher booklet from Dubai Festival City mall and earn 1,000 IHG One Rewards points. Rates starting from AED 324++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City Welcome summer with a rejuvenating escape at InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City. Guests enjoy up to 25% off their stay, a gourmet breakfast at MezzaLuna Trattoria Italiana, and special retail offers from Dubai Festival City mall. Families can explore Leo & Loona Indoor Family Park with exclusive access, while also collecting 1,000 IHG One Rewards points with every booking. Rates starting from AED 661++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | A Season of Discovery and Delight From serene island escapes to spa indulgences, family-friendly adventures, and unparalleled shopping perks, 'Your Summer, Your Way' at IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City ensures every guest finds their perfect summer rhythm. With direct access to Dubai Festival City Mall and sweeping views of Dubai Creek, your unforgettable summer getaway begins here. For more details and bookings, visit:
Web Release
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Celebrate ‘Your Summer, Your Way' with IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City
This summer, IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City invites travellers to discover unforgettable moments and personalised escapes with its signature seasonal campaign – 'Your Summer, Your Way'. Whether you're seeking laid-back luxury, vibrant family fun, or a wellness-centred staycation, each of the four iconic properties—InterContinental, InterContinental Residence Suites, Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn & Suites—offers exclusive packages tailored to the essence of the season. 'Our summer campaign celebrates individuality and indulgence,' said Thomas Schmelter, Area General Manager, IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City. 'With carefully curated experiences for adults, couples, and families alike, 'Your Summer, Your Way' showcases the best of Dubai hospitality through exceptional value, convenience, and connection.' InterContinental Dubai Festival City Embrace the spirit of the season with an elevated city escape at InterContinental Dubai Festival City. Guests can enjoy up to 25% off their stay in elegant rooms and suites overlooking the iconic Dubai Creek, along with a gourmet breakfast for two at Anise Restaurant. As a highlight, indulge in exclusive adults-only access to voco Monaco Dubai at The World Islands—offering a tranquil coastal retreat within reach of the city. Take advantage of VIP shopping privileges at Dubai Festival City Mall and earn 1,000 IHG One Rewards points with every booking. Rates starting from AED 691++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | [email protected] Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City For those looking to balance rest and rejuvenation, Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City offers a well-rounded stay. Guests can enjoy up to 25% off, with a night's stay that includes dinner and breakfast at Zaytoun restaurant, along with an AED 100 credit to unwind at SPA InterContinental. Families benefit from a 15% discount on full-day access to Hello Park, while shoppers can explore unbeatable offers at Dubai Festival City Mall. Every stay is rewarded with 1,000 IHG One Rewards points. Rates starting from AED 514++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | [email protected] Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Festival City Unwind and reconnect this summer with Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Festival City's Stay, Play & Indulge offering. Enjoy up to 25% off your stay, including a delicious dinner and breakfast for the entire family at Sirocco restaurant. Children can enjoy full-day access to Fabyland—the ultimate indoor fun zone—while adults relax with AED 100 credit at Dreamworks Spa. As an added bonus, receive a shopping voucher booklet from Dubai Festival City mall and earn 1,000 IHG One Rewards points. Rates starting from AED 324++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | [email protected] InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City Welcome summer with a rejuvenating escape at InterContinental Residence Suites Dubai Festival City. Guests enjoy up to 25% off their stay, a gourmet breakfast at MezzaLuna Trattoria Italiana, and special retail offers from Dubai Festival City mall. Families can explore Leo & Loona Indoor Family Park with exclusive access, while also collecting 1,000 IHG One Rewards points with every booking. Rates starting from AED 661++ Book now | +971 4 701 1111 | [email protected] A Season of Discovery and Delight From serene island escapes to spa indulgences, family-friendly adventures, and unparalleled shopping perks, 'Your Summer, Your Way' at IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City ensures every guest finds their perfect summer rhythm. With direct access to Dubai Festival City Mall and sweeping views of Dubai Creek, your unforgettable summer getaway begins here. For more details and bookings, visit:
Khaleej Times
26-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
GCC food waste 14% above global average: How UAE is tackling the crisis
Food waste in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region average 150kg per capita annually which is 14 per cent higher than the global average of 132 kg. A recent paper titled Tackling Food Waste In The GCC Grocery Market by Oliver Wyman highlighted that food waste levels in the GCC surpass those of many developed economies, exceeding European Union (EU) figures by 38 per cent and nearly doubling Japan's per capita waste. While retail food waste typically accounts for only five per cent to 15 per cent of total waste in most countries, the GCC's retail sector sees 38 per cent more waste than the global average. The paper also revealed that the retail sector in the GCC wasted approximately 1.3 million tonnes of food in 2022. This corresponds to an annual loss of approximately $4-7 billion, which is enough to provide an iftar meal for 70 per cent of all Muslims around the world throughout Ramadan. Given the GCC's heavy reliance on imported food, excessive waste further strains resources and intensifies sustainability challenges. How UAE is tackling the crisis Despite the statistics, the UAE remains committed to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12.3 by reducing food loss and waste by 50 per cent by 2030 and beyond. It continues to lead the regional movement for change through the collaborative efforts of ne'ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative. Ne'ma is partnering with Taste of Dubai to enhance food waste reduction efforts within the UAE's event industry. Building on the success of their initial collaboration at Taste of Abu Dhabi 2024, ne'ma helped divert 310kg of food waste from landfills, prevented 775kg of CO2e emissions, and generated 62 kg of compost. When Khaleej Times reached out to food business operators in the UAE to understand what waste reduction strategies are implemented in their establishments, several proprietors highlighted that restaurants here systematically 'track food waste data' through digital monitoring tools and staff logs. Thomas Schmelter, Area General Manager, IHG Hotels at Dubai Festival City said, 'We actively track and analyse food waste using the Winnow system, which allows us to measure waste by value and weight. Through this, we've observed that targeted improvements — such as adjusting portion sizes and reducing overproduction — significantly lessen waste volumes. These insights have enabled our teams to make smarter decisions daily.' Schmelter noted that the hotel also works closely with local charities to donate surplus to support the community rather than going to waste. Culinary teams creatively transforms leftover or surplus items into new menu components. Abdulla Al Abdulla, chief operating officer and general manager of Central Hotels and Resorts, said: 'We have a structured system for repurposing surplus ingredients into new dishes. The final destination for waste is a new 'waste-to-energy' facility introduced by the Dubai Municipality. With the help of our service partner, we systematically track food waste data through digital monitoring tools and staff logs. Trends observed include higher waste during peak seasons and buffet setups, allowing us to refine menu planning and optimize food preparation accordingly.' Tracking data, optimising portion, refining menu Based on data analysis and guest feedback, restaurants also optimise portion sizes and refined menu offerings to minimise waste, while maintaining guest satisfaction. 'Our à la carte menu includes flexible portion options, and we use seasonal ingredients to avoid excess inventory. We proactively manage ingredients nearing expiration by repurposing them into soups, sauces, and special dishes. Additionally, we donate safe and consumable food to local charities and ensure that unavoidable waste is composted or sustainably disposed of,' added Abdulla. Meanwhile, the paper also focused that finding the right balance between availability and food waste is one of the key challenges in food retail. Sagar Khanna, Operations Head, Querida, a Mexican restaurant said, 'We have done specials in the menu when we have surplus ingredients: flautas, enfrijoladas, empanadas, rice. We can make new dishes for the day and offer to our guests more variety of food. When something like this happens, we stop ordering from another dish so we can finish our surplus and not having wastage in the restaurant.' He added: 'In case it is an ingredient that we cannot work out in the menu we have a lot of nationalities in our restaurant and they for sure can make something for staff meal and we can all enjoy the delicious options from different parts of the world.' Select items across restaurants are batch-cooked and frozen for future use as well. Additionally, F&B owners pointed out that menu flexibility allows restaurants to respond to consumption trends while keeping waste low. Isheeta Sharma, Founder, Daftar DIFC said, 'We follow FIFO (first in, first out) protocols, label ingredients for accurate tracking, and design our menu to utilise common ingredients across multiple dishes. This ensures optimal usage and reduces the likelihood of spoilage or discard. Near-expiry items are repurposed into daily specials.'
