Rotana, one of the leading hotel management companies in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye, has been named winner of the Best Use of Technology award at the 2026 Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) Awards, in recognition of its exceptional commitment to leveraging technology to enhance member experiences and operational efficiency.
The award was presented at GHA’s 2026 Annual Awards, held on board Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ luxury cruise ship Seven Seas Splendor on 5th July 2026, recognising outstanding achievements across GHA’s portfolio of 1,000 hotels spanning 55 brands in 100 countries. The accolades celebrate excellence in performance, guest engagement and satisfaction, technology, sustainability, loyalty and collaboration across the alliance.
The awards formed part of GHA’s annual CEO conference, which brought together over 40 CEOs and senior executives from across GHA’s global network.
Dominic Carr, Chief Information Officer, Rotana, said: “This recognition from the Global Hotel Alliance reflects the dedication of our teams across Rotana who work behind the scenes to make every guest journey simpler, more seamless and more personal. We are in the business of people, and technology only earns its place when it helps our colleagues spend more time creating memorable experiences for our guests. As we continue to grow across the region, we remain committed to investing in smart, practical innovation that supports both our guests and our hotels.”
The recognition builds on a growing partnership between Rotana and GHA, which deepened in 2025 with the launch of Rotana DISCOVERY, the group’s loyalty programme developed jointly with GHA DISCOVERY, giving members access to nearly 950 hotels in more than 100 countries and a global community of over 30 million travellers. It also reflects Rotana’s wider digital transformation strategy, which saw the relaunch of rotana.com in 2025 with AI-driven search, a mobile-first booking journey and a unified platform for stays, dining and events, alongside a forthcoming AI-powered chatbot to support guests in real time.
The award also reflects a broader shift across the Middle East’s hospitality sector, where technology has moved from experimentation to a core part of guest strategy. According to PwC Middle East’s 2025 report, AI at the heart of tourism and hospitality: powering personalisation, efficiency and growth, 91% of regional industry leaders are already piloting or using AI solutions, with 97% citing improved guest experience as their primary motivation.
GHA CEO Chris Hartley said: “Congratulations to our winners for their outstanding accomplishments. Their achievements demonstrate the strength of collaboration and innovation among alliance member brands, inspired by a spirit of healthy competition and best practice, that continues to drive the success of GHA DISCOVERY and create value for all member brands.”
Technology continues to drive Rotana’s growth across the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Türkiye, as the group deepens its partnership with GHA and invests in the systems that shape the guest journey. As Rotana’s portfolio continues to expand, the group remains guided by its enduring promise of ‘Treasured Time.’
