THE Arabian Hotel Investment Conference running from May 2 to 4 at Dubai’s Madinat Jumeirah Convention Centre offers more than 130 selected speakers from around the globe, leaders’ panels and specialised breakout sessions.
The speakers were chosen by the joint organisers Bench Events and MEED because they were leaders in their field with something to say.
A high profile delegation from Saudi Arabia will put forward the case for investment in the country’s tourism and hospitality industry. HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, chairman of the board and secretary general of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, is the keynote speaker for the seminar entitled ‘Vision For The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia Tourism Investment Perspective’ on May 2 from 2.30 to 2.50 pm.
This will be immediately followed by a seminar entitled ‘The Decision Makers Shaping Saudi Arabia’s Travel And Tourism’ until 3.40 pm, where speakers will also include HE Abdullah M Ruhaimy, president, the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) and Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khaled Al-Saud, chairman, Al-Khozama Management Company.
The delegation will outline the government’s commitment to boosting the tourism and leisure sector and profile the opportunities for the private sector.
Other speakers include Hassan Adbad, regional COO Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; Mubarak Al Muhairi director general ADTA; Jean Claude Baumgarten, president WTTC; Hamad Bin Mejren, executive director business tourism, DTCM; Eric Danziger, president & CEO Wyndham Hotel Group; Robert Gaymer Jones COO, Sofitel; Stelios Haji-loannou, founder and chairman easyGroup; William Heinecke, CEO and chairman Minor International; Guy Perry, president & founder IN-VI; Tony Potter CEO Corinthia Hotels; Kurt Ritter, president & CEO The Rezidor Hotel Group and Will Whitehorn, president Virgin Galactic.
Some of the key topics to be presented include:
• The Key Ingredients for Developing a Successful Project in Turbulent Times
• Is it the Budget Hotel’s Turn to Shine?
• Why aren’t the Banks Lending and How to Structure a Successful Deal to Get the Money?
• Weathering The Storm - Top Tips for Surviving 2009
• The AHIC 2009 Leadership Award to be presented to H.E. Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, followed by an interview with John Defterious of CNN.
• Global Economic Turmoil and how it will affect the Middle East by Dr Henry Azzam, CEO Middle East & North Africa, Deutsche Bank AG.
• For information on all seminars go to the AHIC website at http://www.arabianconference.com.