Emily D'Silva

London

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Content writer and editor specialising in sustainability and tech innovation. Also an artist. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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Articles

"Diverse teams are stronger and more successful"

2 weeks ago | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

Schamne’s management philosophy is deeply rooted in fostering an innovative, inclusive, and growth-oriented work environment. She is a fervent advocate for diversity and actively champions female leadership within the hospitality sector. When reflecting on opportunities for women in hospitality over the years, Schamne expresses how it’s not quite there yet, although things are progressing in the right direction.
Hotelier Middle East May 2025 issue out now

1 month ago | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

The cover feature, in partnership with TUMBI Hotels, showcases the brand’s opening on West Palm beach. Speaking with the owner, Ali Tumbi, we explore the hotel’s ethos and focus on wellbeing, luxury and quality guest experiences. As the first Tapestry Collection by Hilton in the UAE, the hotel provides an all-encompassing sensory experience to enhance the guest experience.
Rotana’s and Global Hotel Alliance’s CEOs discuss their partnership

1 month ago | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

This strategic move positions GHA among the top hospitality groups in the UAE, with an impressive portfolio of around 70 hotels offering an unrivalled choice of upscale and luxury hotels to the 30 million members of its GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme in this popular tourism destination.
IHG's regional GM on taking risks and being agile

1 month ago | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

Here, we get to know the regional GM a bit better. I grew up in an hotelier family, so from a young age, I already knew that I wanted to work in the hotel industry. Hospitality is a dynamic field where no two days are alike — you meet new people, face new challenges, and constantly evolve. Being an extrovert, I thrive on the interactions I have with guests and colleagues from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Designing Corinthia Dubai: set to be one of the world's tallest hotels

1 month ago | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

As lead architect and engineering consultant for this project, AtkinsRéalis will oversee the design concept and planning, MEP and structural development. We sat down with, Maxwell Connop, regional lead, architecture, Middle East at AtkinsRéalis to find out more about the new project. Drawing inspiration from the Art Deco era, the two-tower structure will feature a distinctive architectural language that emphasises the tower’s verticality.
Exclusive: Behind the scenes at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab - Hotelier Middle East

2 months ago | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

Ahead of the launch, we caught up with Dursun to find out more about the ultra-luxury resort’s pre-opening, design inspiration and incorporation of local culture. Dursun shares how the journey to opening the resort required meticulous planning and curation. Not only to build a remarkable destination, but also to attract the right talent and build a strong team that could deliver the highest standards of service.
The key to success: tips from 7 female leaders in hospitality - Hotelier Middle East

Mar 6, 2025 | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

To achieve all of these qualities, hiring a diverse team of leaders is essential. Businesses with diversity at C-suite level have been proven to be more successful — McKinsey and Company found that businesses with gender diversity on executive teams outperformed their less diverse competitors by 39 percent in 2023. There is still a lot of progress to be made regarding gender parity at C-suite level in the hospitality industry in the Middle East.
Does gender parity exist in the hospitality industry?

Mar 5, 2025 | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap 2024 report, the gender parity score in the Middle East is the lowest worldwide at 61.7 percent. Furthermore, the region’s female labour force participation rate (LFPR) is an average of 45 percent, in contrast to 85 percent for men. That said, the report also highlights how the region has seen positive trajectory since 2006, advancing its gender gap score by +3.9 percentage points.
Hotelier Middle East March issue is out now

Mar 5, 2025 | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

Coinciding with International Women’s Day, our cover feature this month is an exclusive interview with Nadine Al Bulushi, the first Omani woman to become a general manager. GM at Kempinski Hotel Muscat, Al Bulushi shares details of her career journey, the challenges she’s faced and overcome as an Arab woman, and her advice for other women in the industry. Continuing the theme, another feature this month explores gender parity in the industry.
Taj Dubai's leaders on driving business success

Mar 4, 2025 | hoteliermiddleeast.com | Emily D'Silva

Marketing is about creating connections. It is about understanding what inspires people and what makes them choose us over our competitors. It is about making every guest feel like they are part of something special, something exclusive, something truly Taj. At Taj we use a term called ‘Tajness’, where we turn our guests into passionate brand advocates who keep coming back, not just for what we offer, but for how we make them feel.