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Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2015

  • 8 June 2015
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2015

With 11 years under its belt, the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference has proven to be the Middle East’s annual meeting place for the region’s most senior hotel investors, developers, and operators. Here Breaking Travel News visits the 2015 event to talk to the leading players in regional hospitality.

Videos

Susan Harmsworth, chief executive, ESPA International – Part 1

Susan Harmsworth, chief executive, ESPA International – Part 1

8 June 2015

ESPA International has a heritage stretching over 45 years and a strong global presence. The founder Susan Harmsworth, chief executive, ESPA International, provides an overview of what is one of the original spa companies and how spas have evolved in that time. Talking to Phil Blizzard she expresses her concerns on the use of the term ‘wellness’.

Susan Harmsworth, chief executive, ESPA International – Part 2

Susan Harmsworth, chief executive, ESPA International – Part 2

8 June 2015

In conversation with Phil Blizzard at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2015 the second part of a double interview begins with Susan Harmsworth giving her take on the evolution of spas for tomorrow’s travellers. She also talks about receiving, in London, the MBE from the Queen.

Al Tareq Al Ameri, cheif executive officer, Yas Marinia Circuit

Al Tareq Al Ameri, cheif executive officer, Yas Marinia Circuit

8 June 2015

Al Tareq Al Ameri, cheif executive officer, Yas Marinia Circuit explains to Breaking Travel News why an F1 racing car is on display at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference. Talking to Phil Blizzard he looks at the business and leisure aspects of the Yas Marina Circuit from a MICE perspective, and also talks about their ‘jewel in their crown’ - The Formula 1 Etihad Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Russel Sharpe, chief operating officer, Citymax Hotels Landmark Group

Russel Sharpe, chief operating officer, Citymax Hotels Landmark Group

8 June 2015

Russel Sharpe, chief operating officer, Citymax Hotels Landmark Group provides an insightful view to the current ‘state of health’ of the hospitality sector in Dubai, including the mid-market ‘‘feeding frenzy”.  He also provides an overview of their developments leading up to Expo 2020, along with his views on the shortage of investors.

Elie Younes, chief development officer, The Rezidor Group

Elie Younes, chief development officer, The Rezidor Group

8 June 2015

With 30 hotels in operation and more than 30 in development the group is to double their presence in the region, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia being a key focus Elie Younes, chief development officer, The Rezidor Group provides an informative overview of their expansion and the brands which will see significant development.

Christophe Landais, chief operating officer, hotel services Middle East, Accor

Christophe Landais, chief operating officer, hotel services Middle East, Accor

8 June 2015

Christophe Landais, chief operating officer, Hotel Services Middle East, Accor talks to Breaking Travel News at AHIC about their key brands which have a presence in the Middle East region. He talks to Phil Blizzard about the importance of the hospitality market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where they have 26 hotels in the development pipeline.

Musa Barrieh, vice president, investment and development, Dur Hospitality Company

Musa Barrieh, vice president, investment and development, Dur Hospitality Company

8 June 2015

Musa Barrieh, vice president, investment and development, Dur Hospitality Company talks about the re-branding and the new strategy of the Saudi Hotels & Resorts Company. He also speaks to Phil Blizzard about their present inventory and how that is likely to develop, along with news from AHIC on their partnership with the IHC Group.

Amine Soulami, business engineer Asia MENA, SMIT Morocco

Amine Soulami, business engineer Asia MENA, SMIT Morocco

8 June 2015

The Morocco Tourism Vision 2020 programme is the focus of this interview at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2015. Phil Blizzard talks to Amine Soulami, Business Enginner Asia MENA, SMIT Morocco about the key elements of Vision 2020 and the progress made to region thier goals, along with new niche offerings such as ‘health tourism’.

Gerald Lawless, president, Jumeirah Group – Part 1

Gerald Lawless, president, Jumeirah Group – Part 1

8 June 2015

Ahead of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference Phil Blizzard talks to Gerald Lawless, president, Jumeirah Group about their development pipeline across the Middle East and beyond, and also about the significant anniversary of their flagship hotel Burj al Arab.

Jonathan Worsley, chairman, Bench Events

Jonathan Worsley, chairman, Bench Events

8 June 2015

Jonathan Worsley, chairman, Bench Events the co-organiser of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference tells Breaking Travel News that the hospitality sector is very upbeat, with plenty of investor confidence. Talking to Phil Blizzard in Dubai on the final day of this year’s event he reveals the high spots of this conference and looks forward to the next event - the Africa Hotel Investment Conference, September 2015.

Gerald Lawless, president, Jumeirah Group – Part 2

Gerald Lawless, president, Jumeirah Group – Part 2

8 June 2015

Phil Blizzard in conversation with Jumeirah Group president Gerald Lawless ahead of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2015. In this part he talks about their development pipeline with the focus being very much east of their home base in Dubai.