The Tourism, Hotel Investment & Networking Conference – Middle East (THINC ME) is set to return for its second edition on Feb 12–13, 2026, at Delano, Bluewaters Dubai. Hosted by Hotelivate, THINC Middle East continues to strengthen its position as a highly curated, owner-centric platform dedicated to hospitality investment, development and strategic decision-making across the GCC and the wider Middle East.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, THINC ME 2026 will once again convene a select group of hotel owners, investors, developers, lenders, operators, designers and advisors from across the region and beyond. The conference comes at a pivotal time, as the Middle East remains one of the world’s most dynamic hospitality development markets, driven by destination-led growth, large-scale mixed-use projects and expanding tourism demand.
The 2026 edition will be held under the theme “The Hospitality Melting Pot,” reflecting the Middle East’s distinctive position as a convergence point for global capital, international hotel brands, local ownership structures and ambitious destination strategies. The agenda will explore how this intersection is reshaping hotel investment strategies, asset performance and future development pipelines across the region.
THINC ME 2026 is expected to attract a strong cross-section of regional and international delegates, including hotel owners, private equity investors, family offices, developers, global hospitality brands and financial institutions. Staying true to Hotelivate’s long-standing philosophy, Day 1 of the conference will feature Owner-Focused Sessions designed to foster candid, meaningful dialogue on ownership priorities, risk management, financing structures, and long-term value creation. These sessions will place owner sentiment firmly at the centre of the conversation and set the strategic tone for the two-day event.
Across both days, discussions will span a sharply focused range of topics relevant to the GCC hospitality landscape, including the hospitality investment outlook for 2026 and beyond, capital markets and funding strategies, brand collaboration, the future of hospitality design, branded residences, hospitality-led real estate, luxury growth and destination differentiation. Sessions such as “Hot Money, Cool Heads: Where to Place Bets in Hospitality 2026 & Beyond,” “What’s Hot in Development,” “Luxury Without Limits,” and “Hot Seat: Buy, Build or Bail?” are expected to drive robust debate among owners and investors actively deploying capital in the region.
The conference will feature an exceptional lineup of global and regional hospitality leaders, including Dimitris Manikis of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Adrian Messerli of Four Seasons, Elie Milky of Radisson Hotel Group, Jaidev Menezes of Marriott International, Louis Abboud of Ennismore, Philip Barnes of Rotana, Paul Bridger of Rove Hotels, Vincent Miccolis of The Ascott Limited, Alison Grinnell of Marjan Hospitality, Amit Nayak of HAMA MEA, and Bani Haddad of Aleph Hospitality, among others.
Complementing this leadership are senior figures from the investment and financial sectors, including Khalid Anib of Abu Dhabi National Hotels, Marc Dardenne of Modon Hospitality, Olivier Granet of Kasada Capital Management, Abhinav Prasad of First Abu Dhabi Bank, Farrukh Tariq of Commercial Bank of Dubai, and Rajat Malik of the International Finance Corporation, ensuring a balanced perspective across ownership, operations, development and financing.
In addition to the conference sessions, THINC Middle East 2026 will offer curated networking opportunities designed to encourage deeper engagement and meaningful connections. Commenting on the event, Manav Thadani, Founder Chairman, Hotelivate, said, “THINC ME is intentionally designed as an intimate forum, capped at 200 participants, with a high level of owner representation that enables candid, outcome-driven dialogue.”