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Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2018

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2018

The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference provides a unique insights into modern leadership, forward-thinking investment and new operating models via a stellar line-up of speakers confirmed for the annual gathering for the Middle East’s hospitality investment community. Here Breaking Travel News talks to the key players at the event in Ras al Khaimah.

Videos

Reem al Qassimi, owner, Muse Cafe

Reem al Qassimi, owner, Muse Cafe

21 April 2018

Breaking Travel News speaks to Reem al Qassimi, owner, Muse Café, as it opens in the flightpath of the new ToroVerde attraction in Ras al Khaimah.

Ellie Younnes, chief development officer, Radisson Hotel Group

Ellie Younnes, chief development officer, Radisson Hotel Group

19 April 2018

Phil Blizzard reports from the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah, catching up here with Ellie Younnes, chief development officer at Radisson Hotel Group. On the agenda are the group’s expansion plans in the Middle East and the prospects for tourism in the most northerly of the United Arab Emirates.

Jerad Bachar, executive director, Bahrain Economic Development Board

Jerad Bachar, executive director, Bahrain Economic Development Board

19 April 2018

Breaking Travel News catches up with Jerad Bachar, executive director at the Bahrain Economic Development Board, during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah. He tells us what is on offer in the destination and how the country is seeking a rapid development of its hotel infrastructure.

Mohamed Awadalla, chief executive, Time Hotels

Mohamed Awadalla, chief executive, Time Hotels

19 April 2018

Breaking Travel News editor Chris O’Toole speaks to Mohamed Awadalla, chief executive of Time Hotels. Speaking at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah, he tells us about his plans for the northern most emirate and the need for a sharp increase in mid-market accommodation in the Middle East more generally.

Mohamed Hani Fakih, chief operating officer, Jannah Hotels & Resorts

Mohamed Hani Fakih, chief operating officer, Jannah Hotels & Resorts

19 April 2018

Breaking Travel News speaks to Mohamed Hani Fakih, chief operating officer at Jannah Hotels & Resorts, about the Halal-compliment brand and its potential for international growth. Speaking in Ras al Khaimah, he reveals the next property under the flag is coming soon in Sri Lanka.

Nehme Imad Darwiche, president, Darwiche Worldwide Legacy

Nehme Imad Darwiche, president, Darwiche Worldwide Legacy

19 April 2018

Breaking Travel News speaks to Nehme Imad Darwiche, president of Darwiche Worldwide Legacy, about the portfolio of brands currently offered by the company. Speaking at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah, he also discusses which of the range of brands he controls are seeing the most growth in the Middle East and across Europe.

Badr Al Badr, chief executive, Dur Hospitality

Badr Al Badr, chief executive, Dur Hospitality

19 April 2018

As a long-term partner of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, Dur Hospitality chief executive Badr Al Badr has gained significant insight into the Saudi Arabian hospitality market. Here he shares his thoughts with Breaking Travel News as the event arrives in Ras al Khaimah for the first time.

Robin Rossmann, managing director, STR

Robin Rossmann, managing director, STR

19 April 2018

Speaking to Breaking Travel News at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah, Robin Rossmann, managing director at hospitality analytics firm STR, gives us his opinion on the current state of the Middle Eastern market. Also on the agenda is the launch of new product AM:PM, which offers up to the minute insight into the hotel construction pipeline in the region.

Form Hotel & Design Hotels

Form Hotel & Design Hotels

19 April 2018

As they sign a new partnership at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah, Breaking Travel News catches up with representatives from Form Hotel and Design Hotels to discover more.

Paul Berger, chief executive, Middle East & Asia, Arena

Paul Berger, chief executive, Middle East & Asia, Arena

19 April 2018

Breaking Travel News’ Phil Blizzard speaks to Paul Berger, chief executive of Arena in the Middle East & Asia, about the structure his company has built for the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah.

Carlos Khneisser, vice president, development, MENA, Hilton

Carlos Khneisser, vice president, development, MENA, Hilton

18 April 2018

Breaking Travel News speaks to Carlos Khneisser, vice president, development in the Middle East and north Africa region for Hilton, about his ambitions for the region at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference. Speaking to Phil Blizzard in Ras al Khaimah, he tells us which Hilton brands are gaining most traction in these dynamic markets.

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

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

18 April 2018

With the emirate hosting the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference for the first time, Haitham Mattar, chief executive, Ras al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, speaks to Breaking Travel News about the significance of the event. With the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony also set for the northern most emirate, there is much to discuss.

Cristian Roberts, president, Prime

Cristian Roberts, president, Prime

18 April 2018

Cristian Roberts, president of the Prime private equity group, tells Breaking Travel News about the parallels between investing in the Middle East and Latin America. Speaking at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah, he argues it is an exciting time for hoteliers in both regions.

Ricardo Lizano, chief operating officer, Toroverde Ras Al Khaimah

Ricardo Lizano, chief operating officer, Toroverde Ras Al Khaimah

18 April 2018

Quickly taking its place as one of the most exciting tourism attractions in the Middle East, Ricardo Lizano, chief operating officer of the Toroverde Ras Al Khaimah, here tells Breaking Travel News what the zipline brings to the destination. Speaking to editor Chris O’Toole he also reveals plans to expand the park, which has been nominated as the Middle East’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction by the World Travel Awards, in the coming months.

Noel Massoud, president, August Hospitality

Noel Massoud, president, August Hospitality

18 April 2018

Freshly minted August Hospitality offers advice to hotel developers in the Middle Eastern hospitality market. Here president Noel Massoud speaks to Phil Blizzard of Breaking Travel News during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah to tell us more about this exciting new company.

Jonathan Worsley, chairman, Bench Events

Jonathan Worsley, chairman, Bench Events

18 April 2018

With the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference arriving in Ras al Khaimah for the first time, Jonathan Worsley, chairman of founders Bench Events, here speaks to Phil Blizzard of Breaking Travel News. He tells us about the decision to move the event to the northern most emirate as final preparations for the 2018 show are put in place.

Abdullah Al Abdouli, chief executive, Al Marjan Island

Abdullah Al Abdouli, chief executive, Al Marjan Island

18 April 2018

Breaking Travel News reporter Phil Blizzard speaks with Abdullah Al Abdouli, chief executive of the Al Marjan Island development, during the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah. He tells us about the investment opportunity the new location represents and what it will bring to the northern most of the United Arab Emirates.

Alan Stocker, general manager, Waldorf Astoria, Ras al Khaimah

Alan Stocker, general manager, Waldorf Astoria, Ras al Khaimah

18 April 2018

In an exciting time for the property, the Waldorf Astoria, Ras al Khaimah, will this week host both the World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony and Arabian Hotel Investment Conference. Here Phil Blizzard talks to the general manager of the hotel, Alan Stocker, about what the events can mean for the property and this rapidly developing emirate.

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

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

18 April 2018

Having taken the title of Middle East’s Leading Luxury Desert Resort at the World Travel Awards in 2017, Amit Arora, general manager at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert here tells Breaking Travel News what the prestigious honour means to the property. With the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference also underway in the emirate, he also gives an overview of his plans for the future.

Reda Nadeem Bou Najm, senior sales executive, RAK Porcelain

Reda Nadeem Bou Najm, senior sales executive, RAK Porcelain

17 April 2018

With the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference visiting Ras al Khaimah for the first time, Breaking Travel News speaks to Reda Nadeem Bou Najm, senior sales executive with RAK Porcelain, to find out more about the local culture.