ITP Media Group Will Launch GAYA Fine Dining Guide
The luxury restaurant index will debut in Dubai in November 2026 before expanding to other global culinary hubs.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Middle East
Live Poll
Do you prefer using global digital indices over traditional local guides to find fine dining?
ITP Media Group will introduce GAYA, a new global luxury fine dining guide, starting with a launch in Dubai in November 2026. The platform aims to serve as a comprehensive, living international index for high-end restaurant discovery.
Why it matters
The initiative addresses the fragmentation of current restaurant discovery tools and reflects a growing trend where fine dining has become a primary driver of international travel.
The GAYA guide is backed by a management team with 30 years of combined experience. Following its debut in Dubai, the index will expand its coverage to include Singapore, Hong Kong, and London.
The players
ITP Media Group
This is a media company that owns the GAYA brand and oversees its international operations.
Ali Akawi
He serves as the CEO of ITP Media Group.
David J Constable
He serves as the Global Chair and Editor in Chief of the Dubai operation.
Martin Chambers
He acts as the Managing Director of the GAYA brand.
Sally Whittam
She serves as the Chief Commercial Officer for GAYA.
The details
GAYA will utilize local teams to conduct year-round, anonymous inspections in each of its target territories. These evaluations will be audited by a global inspection board to maintain uniform international standards across the platform.
Timeline
The GAYA guide will launch in Dubai in November 2026.
Travel Outlook
This guide aligns with the rise of culinary tourism as a primary driver for global travel, shifting the focus from general travel advice to high-end, destination-specific dining experiences. It capitalizes on the seasonal and regional appetite of luxury travelers who prioritize dining excellence.
Luxury travelers should anticipate a new, unified index for high-end dining once the guide launches in Dubai. Visitors to the expansion cities of Singapore, Hong Kong, and London can expect consistent, audited dining recommendations following the platform's rollout.
The takeaway
GAYA represents a move toward the professionalization and centralization of global restaurant rankings for affluent travelers. Readers can look forward to a more standardized approach to finding high-end culinary experiences in major international cities.
Further reading
For more information on dining trends in the region, visit the Middle East section.
Live Poll
Do you prefer using global digital indices over traditional local guides to find fine dining?
