HMSHost International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a new joint venture with Qatar Airways. This, the global travel restaurateur said, prefaces a new partnership to enhance the food & beverage offering for Hamad International Airport in 2021.
According to HMSHost, the MOU sets in motion plans aimed at achieving operational F&B excellence and enhancing overall consumer experience in line with Hamad International’s vision to become known globally as the best airport in the world.
HMSHost said that the “carefully curated F&B scene” planned for the airport will be based on responding to the needs of travellers while drawing on the half-century experience of the company’s operations in global airports, along with the collective strengths of its parent company Autogrill Group.
HMSHost International CEO Walter Seib said: “Signing this Memorandum of Understanding together with one of the most significant airlines, and airports, in the world right now is a powerful and positive signal to the industry and an excellent strategic step for our company and our Group.
“Working alongside remarkable people like Akbar Al Baker, with such an impressive career in shaping our industry, is an exciting opportunity, and one that we will learn from as much as we contribute to.
“We look forward to finalising our plans and taking the next step together in the world-class airport [of] Qatar, as we continue to greet travellers with our signature warmth and attentive HMSHost welcome.”
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker said: “We are delighted to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a Joint Venture with HMSHost, one of the leading global developers and managers of dining venues in the travel industry.
He added: “This new partnership is part of our efforts to provide an enhanced travel experience and F&B offering to all our passengers travelling through the award-winning Hamad International Airport.”
Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations Thabet Musleh said: “We are very excited to work with HMSHost and very much look forward to unveiling an entirely new F&B offering shaped by global travel F&B trends and tailored to meet all our customers’ needs.
“As a JV, and in collaboration with Hamad International Airport and Qatar Airways, we will be uniquely positioned to leverage technology to make our new F&B offer available to our passengers at all stages of their journey, as is our passenger expectation especially in the post COVID-19 era.”
