Where Vision Leads, Investment Follows: Building Legacies for the Future of Hospitality | By Elie Milky

In the lead up to the Future Hospitality Summit - FHS World 2025, taking place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from 27-29 October, we asked several industry partners what's next for hospitality investment in line with this year's event theme: "Where Vision Leads, Investment Follows."

When we discuss the hospitality industry today, we are no longer just referring to hotels, resorts, or serviced apartments. We are talking about communities, ecosystems, and cities that are shaped by bold visions. In recent years, nowhere has this been more evident than in the Gulf, where leadership visions in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have laid the groundwork for not just economic diversification, but also the futures of generations of professionals and families.

As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, I see five critical takeaways that will continue to shape hospitality real estate investment across our region and globally.

1. Leadership sets the stage for transformation

National visions such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 or the UAE’s long-term development strategies are not just policy documents. They are blueprints that have catalyzed unprecedented levels of investment, innovation, and ambition. By prioritizing sectors like tourism and hospitality, governments have created environments where international investors, operators, and developers see clear pathways for growth. The message is simple yet powerful: when leadership articulates a clear vision, capital follows.

2. Industry leadership reshapes markets

Beyond government initiatives, leadership within our industry has transformed the way we view hospitality real estate. Entrepreneurs, developers, and executives are playing pivotal roles in redefining markets, responding to consumer needs, and creating new investment opportunities. Whether through adaptive reuse, mixed-use projects, or integrated resorts, industry professionals have demonstrated that innovation does not just come from policymakers. It also comes from the collective vision of people who take bold decisions every day.

3. Entrepreneurial thinking defines the future

Hospitality has always been about experiences, but today it is equally about creativity and innovation. Leaders who approach investment with an entrepreneurial mindset are no longer just following trends; they are defining them. The way we design spaces, integrate technology, market destinations, and even measure success are all evolving. This mindset is not limited to investors or operators; it extends to every stakeholder, from architects to community leaders. The future of hospitality will be shaped by those willing to experiment, adapt, and lead with vision.

4. Investment is about more than numbers

When we talk about billions of dollars in tourism investment, it is easy to focus on financial returns. But the true legacy of hospitality investment lies in the lives we help shape. We are not only building hotels or resorts; we are building neighborhoods, supporting jobs, and creating environments where people can thrive. Every development has a ripple effect on local suppliers, on transport systems, on education, and on the broader community. To invest in hospitality is to invest in quality of life, for today and for generations to come.

5. Visions inspire legacies

Governments create visions, but it is up to us, industry professionals, investors, and developers to turn those visions into lasting legacies. The towers rising on new skylines, the resorts redefining coastal landscapes, and the urban transformations underway are all evidence of this collaboration. The work we do today will outlive us, shaping how future generations live, work, and travel. That responsibility is as much about values as it is about returns.

Looking ahead, I believe the global hospitality industry stands at a defining moment. The opportunities are vast, ranging from emerging secondary cities to the rise of lifestyle brands and the increasing demand for sustainable and tech-integrated developments. Yet the common denominator in every successful project remains the same: leadership with vision.

Where vision leads, investment follows. But more importantly, where vision leads, legacies are built.