Breaking Travel News

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2019

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2019

As the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference returns to Ras al Khaimah for the second year, Breaking Travel News here catches up with the major players at the industry leading event.

Videos

Richard Haddad, chief executive, Jannah Hotels & Resorts

Richard Haddad, chief executive, Jannah Hotels & Resorts

11 April 2019

With Jannah Dubai Creek opening later this year and plans under development for a new property in Sharjah, Richard Haddad, chief executive with Jannah Hotels & Resorts, here tells Breaking Travel News more about the expansion of the company in the Middle East.

Adrian Gardnier, founder, Mantis Collection

Adrian Gardnier, founder, Mantis Collection

11 April 2019

Having just signed for a new tented camp property in the mountains of Ras al Khaimah, Adrian Gardnier, founder of Mantis Collection, tells us more about the deal during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference. Also on the agenda is a recent deal with Accor and the global ambitions it has given the company.

Haitham Mattar, chief executive, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Haitham Mattar, chief executive, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

11 April 2019

As the emirate welcomes the return of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, Haitham Mattar, chief executive of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, speaks to Breaking Travel News about its importance to the destination. Following a successful hosting last year, he also tells us about the 6,000 hotel rooms expected to join the hospitality market this year.

Mark Willis, chief executive, Middle East, AccorHotels

Mark Willis, chief executive, Middle East, AccorHotels

11 April 2019

As its acquisition-led growth continues, Breaking Travel News speaks to Mark Willis, chief executive in the Middle East for AccorHotels, about what the company’s growing portfolio of brands is able to bring to the hospitality sector in the region. He also tells about his ambitions for development in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Mohamad Awadalla, chief executive, Time Hotels

Mohamad Awadalla, chief executive, Time Hotels

11 April 2019

As the company prepares for expansion in Egypt, Mohamad Awadalla, chief executive of Time Hotels, tells Breaking Travel News what the new properties will bring to the brand. Speaking at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah, he also tells us what smaller companies like Time can offer to investors that the larger players cannot.

Olivier Harnisch, chief executive, Emaar Hospitality Group

Olivier Harnisch, chief executive, Emaar Hospitality Group

11 April 2019

Breaking Travel News speaks to Olivier Harnisch, chief executive of Emaar Hospitality Group, about the changing configuration of the hospitality market in the Middle East during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah. With Expo 2020 on the horizon, he also tells us how important the event is likely to be for tourism in Dubai.

Samuel Dean Sidiqi, chief executive, RAK Properties

Samuel Dean Sidiqi, chief executive, RAK Properties

11 April 2019

Samuel Dean Sidiqi, chief executive of RAK Properties, tells Breaking Travel News about his ambitions for the company and the wider tourism sector in Ras al Khaimah during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in the United Arab Emirates.

Abdullah Rashed Al Abdooli, chief executive, Marjan

Abdullah Rashed Al Abdooli, chief executive, Marjan

11 April 2019

Speaking to Breaking Travel News during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, Abdullah Rashed Al Abdooli, chief executive of Marjan, tells us what the new destination will add to the hospitality sector in Ras al Khaimah.

Kevork Deldelian, chief operating officer, Middle East & Africa, Millennium Hotels & Resorts

Kevork Deldelian, chief operating officer, Middle East & Africa, Millennium Hotels & Resorts

11 April 2019

As the company prepares to open a host of properties in Saudi Arabia, Kevork Deldelian, chief operating officer in the Middle East and Africa for Millennium Hotels & Resorts, tells Breaking Travel News what it is that attracted the company to the market. Speaking at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, he also tells us how a new loyalty scheme will help the company develop in the region.

Elie Younes, chief development officer, Radisson Hospitality

Elie Younes, chief development officer, Radisson Hospitality

11 April 2019

As China-based Jin Jiang completes its acquisition of the company, Elie Younes, chief development officer for Radisson Hospitality, tells Breaking Travel News what opportunities the deal will bring to the company. Speaking at Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah, he also tells us about his plans for development in the Middle East and north Africa.

Jay Rosen, head of finance and investments, Red Sea Development Company

Jay Rosen, head of finance and investments, Red Sea Development Company

11 April 2019

Jay Rosen, head of finance and investments for the Red Sea Development Company, tells Breaking Travel News about the huge hospitality opportunities currently on offer in Saudi Arabia. With as many as 50 hotels planned for the site in the coming decade, he tells us the giga-project represents a once-in-a-lifetime prospect for hotel investors.

Amit Arora, general manager, Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert

Amit Arora, general manager, Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert

11 April 2019

Amit Arora, general manager of the Ritz Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, speaks to Breaking Travel News as the property hosts the official Arabian Hotel Investment Conference welcome drinks. He tells us how important the property’s events offering is to its continued success.

Thomas Grundner, vice president, sales and marketing, JA Resorts & Hotels

Thomas Grundner, vice president, sales and marketing, JA Resorts & Hotels

10 April 2019

Breaking Travel News speaks to Thomas Grundner, vice president of sales and marketing with JA Resorts & Hotels, during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah. He tells us about the brand refresh currently underway with the company and plans for its continued expansion in the Middle East.

Hala Matar Choufany, president, Middle East, Africa and south Asia, HVS

Hala Matar Choufany, president, Middle East, Africa and south Asia, HVS

10 April 2019

Hala Matar Choufany, president of HVS in the Middle East, Africa and south Asia, speaks to Breaking Travel News during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah. She tells us what creates the gap between expectations and reality when it comes to valuing hospitality properties and how this can be overcome to the benefit of all.

Suma Venkatesh, executive vice president, real estate, Indian Hotels Company

Suma Venkatesh, executive vice president, real estate, Indian Hotels Company

10 April 2019

Breaking Travel News talks to Suma Venkatesh, executive vice president for real estate and development at the Indian Hotels Company, during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah. She tells us about her ambitions to make the company the most profitable hospitality provider on the subcontinent by 2022, which markets are ripe for growth and how a booming Indian economy helps the company.

Jerome Briet, chief development officer, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International

Jerome Briet, chief development officer, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International

10 April 2019

With Marriott maintaining its position as the largest hospitality provider in the Middle East, Breaking Travel News here chats with Jerome Briet, chief development officer in the region for the company, during the Arabian Hospitality Investment Forum. He tells us which markets Marriott expects to grow, the company’s focus on the luxury sector and how the new Bonvoy loyalty scheme has been received by guests.

Hassan Ahdab, president, hotel operations, Dur Hospitality Company

Hassan Ahdab, president, hotel operations, Dur Hospitality Company

10 April 2019

Hassan Ahdab, president of hotel operations with Dur Hospitality Company, tells Breaking Travel News how the company is seeking to facilitate religious tourism in Saudi Arabia. With a new tour operator and a rapid expansion of its hotel offering planned, the company is well positioned to benefit from Vision 2030 and the expansion of the tourism sector in the country.

Marloes Knippenberg, chief executive , Kerten Hospitality

Marloes Knippenberg, chief executive , Kerten Hospitality

10 April 2019

Marloes Knippenberg, chief executive of Kerten Hospitality, tells Breaking Travel News what the company she leads offers to the rapidly developing hospitality market in the Middle East during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah.

Dimitris Manikis, president and managing director, EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Dimitris Manikis, president and managing director, EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

10 April 2019

Breaking Travel News catches up with Dimitris Manikis, president and managing director in EMEA for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah. He tell us how important the franchise model is in the region, which markets are poised for growth and why the company is well-placed to exploit the boom in the mid-market sector.

Fredrik Jonsson, managing partner, Mereha

Fredrik Jonsson, managing partner, Mereha

9 April 2019

Speaking to Breaking Travel News in Ras al Khaimah during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, Fredrik Jonsson, managing partner of Mereha, offers his thoughts on the potential for growth in the Middle Eastern hospitality sector.

Matthew Tripolone, vice president, development, Middle East & Africa, InterContinental Hotel Group

Matthew Tripolone, vice president, development, Middle East & Africa, InterContinental Hotel Group

9 April 2019

InterContinental Hotel Group vice president for development in the Middle East & Africa, Matthew Tripolone, speaks to Breaking Travel News during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah. He tells us about the potential for growth in the mid-market segment, how important Saudi Arabia will be in the hospitality sector in the region and the development of the new voco brand.