The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference reveals its 2019 programme

The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2019 has unveiled its programme for the 15th edition of the forum, which is expected to bring more than 900 hotel investors, owners and operators together at the AHIC Village in Ras Al Khaimah.

The programme, featuring more than 100 speakers from around the world, has been curated around this year’s theme 'Synchronised for Success', which aims to address the current tensions in the owner-operator relationship, uncover innovative approaches to business, analyse market trends, foster harmonious relationships between all stakeholders and help them future-proof against evolving demands.

Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events and founder of AHIC, said in a statement: "This year’s programme has been painstakingly developed in consultation with hotel owners, investors, operators and consultants from across the region. Time and again, they have told us that amid challenges of new supply, more needs to be done to educate the market and synchronise the efforts of all stakeholders."

Programme highlights include the official opening by conference host and patron His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, a keynote AHIC Talk by AccorHotels chairman and CEO Sébastien Bazin, who will address the topic 'What is Your Compass in Times of Disruption, Innovation and Global Turmoil?'; and Jay Rosen, head of investment & finance at The Red Sea Development Company, who will be speaking on ‘Sustainable Investment Tourism Development for the Future’.

Mega projects in Saudi Arabia such as the Red Sea destination, expected to add US$5.86 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP, will form a focus at AHIC 2019, following on from the Saudi Hotel Investment Forum (SHIC) held last month. A dedicated plenary session entitled ‘Uncovering The Kingdom’ will take a deep dive into the KSA market, discussing opportunities for international investors, government support for the industry and how the market is dealing with the increase in supply.

Worsley said: “SHIC provided fantastic insight into the wealth of opportunities in the Kingdom and we’re excited to continue the conversation at AHIC, with the support of Al Hokair, Amaala , Dur Hospitality, Taiba Holding and The Red Sea Development Company.”

The AHIC Village for 2019 is currently being built by Al Hamra Real Estate Development Co on the beachfront close to the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.