Dubai Awaits AHIC Conference
April 30, 2010 - Industry leaders from around the world are arriving in Dubai ahead of the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), which begins tomorrow.
With over 500 industry professionals from across the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, Asia and US in town the focus of this year is on unlocking investment opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
The mood is upbeat - despite recent turmoil - with one delegate noting: “Despite the current economic and tourism environment, developers are aware that hotel supply currently present in the Middle East & North Africa will not be sufficient to meet demand in the longer term.”
Confidence has also been boosted by figures released earlier this year by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) forecasting growth of five to nine per cent for the Middle East in 2010, compared to a forecast of three to four per cent for the rest of the world.
Jonathan Worsley, chairman of event co-organises Bench Events, commented: “The consensus appears to be that the worst of the global economic crisis is over, which makes the themes being debated at AHIC 2010 more important than ever.
“Intelligent and targeted investment is vital for the industry as the region recovers from the downturn, and the insight that will be offered by the group of speakers that will gather in Dubai in May will be invaluable for everyone involved in the industry.”
The conference will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, chairman of Dubai Airports and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airlines.
Daily debates will be led by a selection of industry leaders, including: Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways; Gerald Lawless, executive chairman of Jumeirah Group; and Sarmad Zok, chief executive officer of Kingdom Hotel Investments.
The AHIC 2010 Leadership Award will also be presented to Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
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