Why every hospitality professional should be looking at Dubai right now
This piece was originally shared on LinkedIn in response to recurring conversations with founders and leadership teams around this topic.
I’m publishing it here as part of an ongoing body of thinking around restaurant strategy, market entry, and operational decision-making.
I've worked on over 100 venue openings around the world.
And I can say with confidence: few regions offer what the UAE does right now.
The people difference. In Dubai, talent comes with intent. People relocate here to build careers, not fill gaps. They're committed, ambitious, and see hospitality as a profession worth investing in. That mindset transforms everything - performance, commitment, culture.
The operational advantage. Markets such as London have a maturity that results in most prime locations being established - you're often taking over existing sites with their own history and challenges. Dubai offers a clean slate: Purpose-built developments, brand-new infrastructure, and the ability to design your operation from day one.
A market plan. Growing tourism, expanding residential base, global destination status. The fundamentals are in place and accelerating.
The growth in this region over the past few years has been remarkable. Dubai delivers real progression opportunities backed by genuine market expansion.