AHIC confirms speaker line-up for 12th edition

The 12th Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) is set to take place in Dubai at the Madinat Jumeirah from April 26-28, with 119 speakers confirmed for the three-day event.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports, president of Dubai Dept for Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO of Emirates, the event is designed to tackle industry challenges directly.

Since the beginning of 2016, six business briefing events have been arranged by AHIC and various sponsor partners in destinations including Egypt, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. These briefings have given insight to a range of topics which have shaped the official AHIC 2016 discussion programme.

Five ‘hot topic’ issues identified by AHIC include the drop in the oil price and the fallout that this has on the industry from an investment stance and a tourism point; how the industry goes about embracing change and how adaptable it is; addressing a new era in supply and demand, discussing whether Iran is a future ‘top five’ destination and security issues surrounding international travel.

Delegates at AHIC 2016 will hear from some of the most experienced industry veterans across the packed three-day programme including Christof Rühl, global head of research, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA); John Defterios, emerging markets editor, CNN; His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, president of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; Arne Sorenson, president & CEO, Marriott International; Wolfgang Neumann, president & CEO, The Rezidor Hotel Group; Geoff Ballotti, president & CEO, Wyndham Hotel Group; Mustafa Al Hashimi, chief hospitality & leisure officer, wasl; David Scowsill, president and CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council.

There are also a variety of different formats available throughout the event, designed to maximise potential business connections including evening receptions, break-out areas, networking lunches, speed networking, round table discussions, online networking and even onsite staff called Networking Angels who can assist delegates with making connections and introductions.

“AHIC is the region’s most important event that addresses the importance of investment into the tourism sector,” said David Scowsill, president & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council.

“I am delighted to be a part of this year’s programme where I will be releasing new data and 10-year forecasts, highlighting this year’s theme ‘Eye on the Future’ and the significance of forward planning in the travel and hospitality sector in the region.”

“This year’s event is our twelfth AHIC, we are constantly looking for ways to offer fresh observations, engaging speakers and creative platforms for networking. By providing the right environment, we facilitate high-level discussions which shape the region and the industry’s future and as such, that is why AHIC is such an important event for all our stakeholders,” said Jennifer Pettinger-Haines, managing director Middle East of Bench Events.

The event is organised through a collaboration between Bench Events and MEED Events. At AHIC 2015 more than 700 delegates attended the three-day conference from over 40 different countries and they were addressed by 120 industry leaders, speakers and panellists.

Read the preview of AHIC in the April 2016 issue of Hotelier Middle East.