His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates, has been announced as patron for the first Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), to be held in Dubai on April 30 - May 2, 2005.

Ê
Sheikh Ahmed said: “Arabia is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for travel and tourism and tourism is driving the economies for many of these countries.

“Turning to Dubai specifically: we have been set stringent targets for tourism growth, with 15 million visitors expected by 2010. The drive to attract inward investment into the tourism sector will continue to be key throughout the region over the next decade.”

Jonathan Worsley, organiser of AHIC, said: “We are delighted to have Sheikh Ahmed on board as our patron, as his insight from years at the helm of one of the world’s leading brands will be extremely valuable. The growth of Emirates and the development of Dubai has gone hand-in-hand, and will provide a case study for years to come.”

Sheikh Ahmed joins 50 of the region’s tourism leaders in discussing the future of tourism in the region.

The advisory panel includes among others:Ê Sarmad Zok, CEO Kingdom Hotel Investments; Salem bin Dasmal, CEO of Dubailand; Gerald Lawless, managing director of Jumeirah International; James Wilson, president of IFA Hotels and Resorts; Wahid Attala, executive director of Nakheel; Jurgen Baumhoff, CEO of Qatar National Hotels; Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president of World Travel & Tourism Council; and regional directors from international hotel groups InterContinental, Marriott, Movenpick, Rezidor SAS and Rotana.

AHIC will run from April 30 - May 2, 2005, on the eve of the Arabian Travel Market, at Dubai’s new Madinat Jumeirah resort. The conference is organised by CB Richard Ellis Hotels, the largest commercial real estate firm in the world, and MEED Conferences.Ê Details of AHIC can be found on www.arabianconference.com.

Already signed up as platinum sponsors are: IFA Hotels and Resorts; Nakheel Company LLC; Kingdom Hotel Investments and Rezidor SAS Hospitality.Ê

Gold sponsors are: Arabian Travel Market; Deloitte; Dubai Festival City; Emirates, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Gullivers Travel Associates; HVS International; Interval International; Jones Lang LaSalle; Jumeirah International; InterContinental Hotels Group; Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts; Marriott International; Movenpick Hotels & Resorts; RCI Middle East; Octopus Travel; RSP Group; Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Strategic Solutions.

Media sponsors are: AME Info, CNBC Arabia, CNBC Europe, Global Hospitality Resources, HOTELS, Sleeper and TTN.

Supporters are: Dubai Convention Bureau, Emirates Academy of Hospitality; International Hotel & Restaurant Association; Villeroy & Boch; the World Travel & Tourism Council and WOW Travels.

Ê
——-