Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2013
The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) is the region’s leading forum that brings together the key decision makers from the hotel investment industry.
Live updates from AHIC
Middle East hoteliers face occupancy and pricing pressures
Luxury operators to face squeeze as new players and properties enter the market
RevPAR rises across the MENA region in 2012
Revenue per available room rises 6.4 per cent year-on-year, according to STR Global data
Localisation of labour a key issue for GCC hotel industry
AHIC conference told increasing the proportion of nationals working in the hospitality sector must be a primary goal
Interview: Maria Zarraluqui, vice president development worldwide, Melia Hotels International
Maria Zarraluqui discusses the Spanish hotel chain’s first 12 months operating in the Middle East and future regional expansion plans
Hilton targets growth in Iraqi Kurdistan
Carlos Khneisser, vice president development Middle East, Hilton Worldwide, discusses the hotel group’s plans for Iraq’s semi-autonomous region
Interview: Hisham Zaazou, Minister of Tourism, Egypt
Hisham Zaazou discusses post-revolutionary Egypt’s strategy to revitalise its battered tourism industry
Banks still wary of funding greenfield hotel projects
NBAD executive says banks are more willing to finance property refurbishments
Shopping precinct to anchor Abu Dhabi cultural district
Retail precinct linking planned Abu Dhabi museums to be called ‘The District’
Omani investment firm considers high-altitude resort
Sundus Investment Projects may build luxury resort on Omani mountain of Jebel al-Akhdar
UAE’s tourism sector remains resilient
Demand for mid-scale, affordable hotels in the UAE is growing
Global hotel investments soar in 2012
Jones Lang Lasalle report finds hotel investment transactions top $32bn worldwide last year
Air Arabia head sees growth potential for intra-regional travel
Airline head Adel Ali says GCC tourist visa would help develop industry
Emirates partnership with Qantas to create new markets for Dubai
Dubai tourism director-general says new airline alliance to aid boom in traffic from Asia
Egypt aims to boost tourism industry
Egypt’s tourism minister wants to rebuild confidence in country
Tourism industry faces continued government restrictions
Dubai tourism industry heads call for an end to tax on travel
Analysis
Interview: Ammar Kharusi, construction manager, Omran
Oman’s tourism development authority is planning major project investments across the Sultanate
Visitor slump hits high-end hotels in Lebanon
Political uncertainty is deterring Gulf Arabs from visiting Lebanon, hurting high-end hoteliers and retailers, but refugees from Syria are mitigating the impact on the economy
Company Profiles
Special Reports
Tourism: Saudi Arabia leads hotel pipeline
Saudi Arabia has the largest hotel development pipeline in the Middle East and North Africa region
Video interviews
Interview: Ammar Kharusi, construction manager, Omran
Oman’s tourism development authority is planning major project investments across the Sultanate
Interview: Maria Zarraluqui, vice president development worldwide, Melia Hotels International
Maria Zarraluqui discusses the Spanish hotel chain’s first 12 months operating in the Middle East and future regional expansion plans
Hilton targets growth in Iraqi Kurdistan
Carlos Khneisser, vice president development Middle East, Hilton Worldwide, discusses the hotel group’s plans for Iraq’s semi-autonomous region
Interview: Hisham Zaazou, Minister of Tourism, Egypt
Hisham Zaazou discusses post-revolutionary Egypt’s strategy to revitalise its battered tourism industry
Commentary
Dubai tries luck again with parks
As confidence returns to Dubai, it is planning theme parks for Jebel Ali and Mohammed bin Rashid City
Focus must be on core sectors
Trade, transport, tourism, logistics and finance sectors crucial for Dubai to return to growth of pre-crash years
