As tourism decision makers descend upon the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai for the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference next year, the organisers are hoping they’ll reach the 1,000 delegate mark.In Dubai to launch the third powerhouse AHIC, event organiser Jonathan Worsley met with Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Director of Civil Aviation Authority and President of Emirates Group, to thank him for his continued patronage of the event and ask for his input on next year’s event and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Worsely said, “I am delighted to announce next year’s exciting Arabian Hotel Investment Conference. The event has quickly become an integral part of the region’s tourism industry and top-level alliances are being forged and decisions made.

“The entire event is geared towards networking and the sharing of ideas and this is the repeated delegate feedback. Tourism has become so important in this region and, particularly in Dubai, there is an incredible amount of business being done.

“Also, it’s not often that the eminent tourism leaders can get together under one roof and have time to discuss the vision for the future. The whole event is focused on communication and this is the biggest attraction. It is more a high level networking event with a conference element.”

The first event in 2005 quickly sold out its 525 delegate spaces, 2006’s AHIC’s increased allocation of 800 spaces went almost as quickly and this year organisers have again expanded the event, looking to reaching the 1,000 delegate mark. With some of the biggest names in global tourism already invited it is likely to sell out just as quickly.

He added, “As well as an unparalleled networking event, the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference focuses on issues that concern every player in the regional industry, from mega-projects to financing and areas such as fractional ownership and human resources.

“Together with members of our advisory panel, we are now evaluating topics of interest to set the agenda for 2007, and are looking to cover key issues such as global aspirations and sustainable development.”

The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference is held as a precursor to the more exhibition-focused Arabian Travel Market in Dubai.
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