Breaking Travel News pre show magazine - AHIC 2019

SPECIAL PRE-AHIC EDITION APRIL 2019

Explore AHIC 2019 RAS AL KHAIMAH

Under the patronage of: His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; and foundingpatron, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group.

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

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Arabian Hotel Investment Conference returns to Ras al Khaimah The industry leading conference from Bench Events will return to Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates this week

The annual knowledge and networking platform for the hotel investment community will take place in an all new purpose-built AHIC Village in the grounds of the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.

Bench Events will host AHIC 2019 in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events and founder of AHIC, said: “We were incredibly pleased to have more than 40 of our Advisory Board members attend this year’s meeting, which is such an important part of the programming for AHIC. It was also great to see the enthusiasm and anticipation for our return to Ras Al Khaimah in 2019 following the success of this year’s event with our partners at Ras Al

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.”

The 2019 programme, themed ‘Synchronised for Success’, has been developed following the AHIC Advisory Board, held at the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai, at which more than 40 of the Middle East’s leading hotel owners, developers, operators and consultants gathered to discuss the main issues and opportunities that drive the hotel investment industry in the Middle East.

The board revealed shared sentiment about the importance of creating harmony among hotel investment stakeholders, the need to discuss the shift in hotel

operating models the industry is witnessing, the desire for insights from other business sectors in terms of disruption, and the opportunity to explore the impact and opportunity of new technologies and sustainable design and development – all topics that will be featured in the AHIC 2019 programme.

Haitham Mattar, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said: “We are delighted to be hosting AHIC in Ras Al Khaimah for the second year following last year’s phenomenal success. Under the patronage of sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi we look forward to welcoming the region’s most senior hotel investors, developers, operators and world-

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“We were incredibly pleased to have more than 40 of our Advisory Board members attend this year’s meeting, which is such an important part of the programming for AHIC.” Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events and founder of AHIC

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class speakers to share insights, exchange knowledge and opportunities that will drive the tourism and hospitality sector forward.”

He added: “AHIC will serve as a great platform for us to showcase Ras Al Khaimah’s new Destination Strategy as we aim to attract three million visitors by 2025.”

More Information Find out more about the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference on the official website at www.arabianconference.com

Bench Events unveils programme for AHIC 2019 The event will bring more than 900 hotel investors, owners and operators together at the AHIC Village in Ras Al Khaimah

The programme, featuring more than 100 speakers from around the world, has been curated around this year’s theme ‘Synchronised for Success’, which aims to address the current tensions in the owneroperator relationship, uncover innovative approaches to business, analyse market trends, foster harmonious relationships between all stakeholders and help them future-proof against evolving demands.

Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events and founder of AHIC, said: “This year’s programme has been painstakingly

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

developed in consultation with hotel owners, investors, operators and consultants from across the region. Time and again, they have told us that amid challenges of new supply, more needs to be done to educate the market and synchronise the efforts of all stakeholders.”

He continued: “AHIC will once again provide a forum for owners and operators to gather and discuss the issues at the heart of their business. A ‘day of disruption’ will bring invaluable learnings from outside of the industry, with sessions led by Google, the

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The programme, featuring more than 100 speakers from around the world, has been curated around this year’s theme ‘Synchronised for Success’ breakingtravelnews.com

Foundation for Art and Blockchain and The Coca-Cola Company, while plenary sessions include exclusive data analysis on future market demand from the likes of HVS, STR, Colliers and Drees & Sommer.

“The agenda is designed around our theme ‘Synchronised for Success’ with content streams targeted specifically for hotel developers, owners, and investors, such as ‘Products of the Future – Synching your investment with future market demand’.

We’ll also have owner-operator panel sessions, the AHIC Finance Forum, our

Development Den, leadership talks, innovation pitches and case studies, as well as design and food and beverage workshops. Through these sessions, we expect to spark relevant debate, which will no doubt be continued off stage with more networking opportunities than ever,” said Worsley.

“The development of large-scale integrated destinations containing multiple hotel and residential properties creates new challenges for developers, owners and operators seeking to provide seamless experiences to visitors.”

Jay Rosen, head of investment and finance at the Red Sea Development Company

Programme highlights include the official opening by conference host and patron sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE supreme council member and ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, a keynote AHIC Talk by Sébastien Bazin, chairman and chief executive officer, AccorHotels, who will address the topic ‘What is Your Compass in Times of Disruption, Innovation and Global Turmoil?; and Jay Rosen, head of investment and finance at the Red Sea Development Company, who will be speaking on ‘Sustainable Investment Tourism Development for the Future’.

Rosen said: “The development of largescale integrated destinations containing multiple hotel and residential properties creates new challenges for developers, owners and operators seeking to provide seamless experiences to visitors.”

He added: “Close coordination and synchronisation among the destination and its various hotel operators is essential from the earliest stages of the project to ensure not only that the destination’s value offer is reflected at every touchpoint but also to enable visitors to move smoothly and seamlessly between its constituent properties. This kind of collaborative framework, while challenging to establish, can yield significant benefits to the operators and the destination as a whole.”

Mega Projects in Saudi Arabia such as the Red Sea destination, expected to add $5.86 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP, will form a focus at AHIC 2019, following on from the success of the Saudi Hotel

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

Investment Forum. A dedicated plenary session entitled ‘Uncovering The Kingdom’ will take a deep dive into the KSA market, discussing opportunities for international investors, government support for the industry and how the market is dealing with the increase in supply.

Worsley said: “SHIC provided fantastic insight into the wealth of opportunities in the kingdom and we’re excited to continue the conversation at AHIC, with the support of Al Hokair, Amaala , Dur Hospitality, Taiba Holding and The Red Sea Development Company.”

Ahead of the event, Badr Al Badr, chief executive, Dur Hospitality, commented: “In Saudi Arabia, all key stakeholders in the hotel investment industry are benefitting

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from Vision 2030, with the wheels for socio-economic transformation already in motion. This blueprint for economic diversification earmarks tourism as a growth sector crucial to the Kingdom’s long-term success, regardless of short-term challenges, and savvy hospitality companies are aligning their development strategies to this vision.”

He continued: “The foundations have already been laid for sustainable growth, with public and private investment ploughed into tourism-related infrastructure and giga projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea development. At the same time the kingdom has made great strides in developing its entertainment industry for the first time, which coupled with new e-visa initiatives, have signalled to

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the world that Saudi Arabia is open to international visitors.

“The time is right for hotel investors and operators to embrace this evolution and work together to capitalise on the opportunities it presents to bring new and exciting hospitality concepts to a market in its relative infancy,” concluded Al Badr, highlighting the AHIC theme ‘Synchronised for Success’.

AHIC Village The AHIC Village for 2019 is currently being prepared by Al Hamra Real Estate Development on the beachfront close to the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.

Haitham Mattar, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “We are delighted to be hosting AHIC 2019 in Ras Al Khaimah, bringing together world-class speakers and key players from the hospitality sector to share their knowledge and insights. This year’s theme ‘Synchronised for Success’ is quite fitting for Ras Al Khaimah, as it reflects our ongoing efforts to work hand in hand with our stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism sector to accelerate the Emirate’s progress, increase its appeal, and attract local and foreign investment in an environment that sustains long-term growth as we aim to attract close to 1.5 million visitors by 2021 and a total of 3 million visitors by 2025.”

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

More Information AHIC 2019 promises to provide more opportunity than ever for delegates to deepen existing relationships and forge new ones among the leaders of the hospitality investment community, with more than 900 hotel investors, major developers, leading financiers, and C-level hotel executives expected to attend three days of content, networking and events.

Find out more at www.arabianconference.com.

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AHIC 2019 promises to provide more opportunity than ever for delegates to deepen existing relationships and forge new ones among the leaders of the hospitality investment community

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GRAND TO O

CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA GALA CEREMONY 28 January Sandals, Montego Bay, Jamaica

MIDDLE EAST GALA CEREMONY 25 April Warner Bros. WorldTM, Abu Dhabi, UAE

AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN GALA CEREMONY 1 June Sugar Beach – A Sun Resort, Mauritius

EUROPE GALA CEREMONY 8 June Belmond Reid’s Palace, Madeira, Portugal

Following a spectacular 25th Anniversary Year, World Travel Awards has celebrated the very best in the World Travel Industry in luxurious destinations from the Maldives to Ras Al Khaimah, from Durban to Lisbon.

Keep watching as the itinerary for 2019 is revealed, with new destinations around the world acting as hosts for the world’s most acclaimed awards ceremonies. worldtravelawards.com

GRAND FINAL GALA CEREMONY 28 November Royal Opera House Muscat, Oman

OUR 2019

LATIN AMERICA GALA CEREMONY 13 July La Paz, Bolivia

ASIA & OCEANIA GALA CEREMONY 12 October Vinpearl Resort & Spa, Phu Quoc, Vietnam

WORLD SPA AWARDS 21 October Armani Hotel Dubai, UAE

WORLD GOLF AWARDS 28-30 October The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi

WORLD SKI AWARDS 22-24 November A-ROSA, Kitzbühel, Austria

AHIC 2019: SpeakerS His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal Sharjah Investment and Development Authority Shurooq Abdullah Al Abdooli Managing Director & CEO – Marjan

Louis Abi Abboud Vice President Development – Accor Middle East Ramzy AbdulMajeed Founder – Whissle

Christian Abell Vice President Food & Beverage MEA – Marriott International Aref Abouzahr Chief Executive Officer – ARK Energy

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

Hassan Ahdab President Hotels Operations – Dur Hospitality

Valeriano Antonioli Chief Executive Officer – Lungarno Collection

Stefan Breg Group Strategy Director – KEANE

Dr Badr Al Badr Chief Executive Officer – Dur Hospitality

Mohamed Awadalla Chief Executive Officer – Time Hotels

Donald Bremner Managing Director – Stirling Hospitality Advisors

Fardan Ali Al Fardan Senior Investment Advisor – Equitativa (Emirates REIT Manager) Ismail Al Kamal Director – AlKamal International

Goulam Amarsy Chief Executive Officer – Barceló Hotel Group Gulf DMCC Yannis Anagnostakis CEO – RAK Hospitality Holding LLC

Khalid Anib Chief Executive Officer – Abu Dhabi National Hotels PJSC

Sébastien Bazin Chairman & Chief Executive Officer – Accor Rene Beil Managing Director – Beaufort Global Partners LLC Dr Martin Berlin Partner & Global Deals Real Estate Leader – PwC Anil Bhardwaj Director – A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises LLC

Gaurav Bhushan Global Chief Development Officer – Accor

John Blakey Executive Coach and Founder – The Trusted Executive Foundation

Jerome Briet Chief Development Officer, Middle East & Africa – Marriott International Gerard Byrne Managing Director – Archipelago Overseas

Ian Carter President, Global Development, Architecture, Design & Construction – Hilton Stephen Cheesebrough Executive Director, Business Development – Amaala Hala Matar Choufany PresidentMiddle East, Africa and South Asia – HVS

SPEAKERS

Maria de la Fuente Corrales Travel Industry Analyst – Google David Daniels Director of Architecture – SSH

Marc Dardenne Chief Operating Officer – Public Investment Fund – Amaala Alain Debare Group Head of Real Estate Portfolios – Equitativa Group Sarah Duignan Director of Client Relationships – STR Ossama El Batran Chief Executive Officer – Hadia Abdul Latif Jameel Real Estate Investments Michael Ellis Chief Culinary Officer – Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts Helen Elmettouri Regional Director – KEANE

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Stuart Etherington Vice President Hospitality Asset Management – Dubai Holding Rabih Feghali Vice President - Business Development & Investor Relations – Ròya International Patrick Fitzgibbon Senior Vice President Development EMEA – Hilton Andrew Forte Vice President, Architecture, Design & Construction, MENA & Turkey – Hilton Jennifer Fox – Bench Events Advisory Board Member

Pascal Gauvin Managing Director IMEA – IHG

Bani Haddad Founder & Managing Director – Aleph Hospitality

Joey Ghazal Founder and Managing Partner – The Maine and BARBARY

Julie Hamilton Senior Vice President, Chief Customer and Commercial Leadership Officer – The Coca- Cola Company

Raúl González Chief Executive Officer – Barceló

Christian Gradnitzer Senior Director of F&B Operations EMEA – Hilton Aaron Greenman Executive Vice President, Acquisitions & Development - EMEA – Interstate Hotels & Resorts

Luca Franco Chief Executive Officer & Founder – Luxury Frontiers

Andrea Di Gregorio Director, Energy Efficiency and Renewables Administration – RAK Municipality

Duncan Fraser-Smith Vice President Food & Beverage – The First Group

Thomas Grundner Vice President Sales & Marketing – JA Resorts & Hotels

Adrian Gardiner Chief Executive Officer – Mantis Collection

Dino Guiliano Director, International Corporate Development – CHOICE Hotels International

Olivier Harnisch Chief Executive Officer – Emaar Hospitality Group Dirk Haro Chief Executive Officer – Hocaboo

Kees Hartzuiker Chief Executive Officer – Ròya International Shady Hassan Senior Director, Lodging Development – Marriott International, Middle East & Africa Ted Horner Information Technology & Services Consultant and Owner – E Horner & Associates Jess Houlgrave Founder & Trustee – Foundation for Art and Blockchain

Benson Huang Chairman of the Board & Managing Director, – Sichuan New World Investment Group

Panos Loupasis Vice President Development, Middle East, Eurasia & Africa – Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

Thomas K. Jacob Head of Strategy and Investor Relations – Mashreq

Christopher Lund Head of Hotels – Middle East & North Africa – Colliers International

Zoltan Kali Senior Vice President – OMRAN Hospitality

Marloes Knippenberg Chief Executive Officer – Kerten Hospitality Tony Kurz Chief Executive Officer, Director – Brandmark Collective Amir Lababedi Managing Director Development, MENA – Hilton Tatiana Labaki E25 Partner – Emaar

Saahil Lalit Senior Director, Lodging Development, MEA – Marriott International Christophe Landais Chief Executive Officer – Action Hotels

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Naim Maadad Chief Executive – Gates Hospitality

Ahmed Bin Madhi Director of Asset Management – Rua Al Madinah Holding Company Dimitris Manikis President & Managing Director Europe, Middle East, Eurasia, Africa – Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Ali Manzoor Partner, Hospitality and Leisure – Knight Frank

Alejandro Martin Senior Investment Banker – Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank

Haitham Mattar Chief Executive Officer – Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Benjamin Oppl Development Director Middle East and North Africa, Meliá Hotels International

James McBride Partner & CEO – NIHI Hotels

Charlie Osmond Chief Tease – Triptease

Rami A. Moukarzel Vice President Development & Acquisitions, Middle East & North Africa – Louvre Hotels Group

Dustin Pan Senior Vice President – Oceanwide Investment and Securities Fergus Paton Head of EMEA – HotelFlex

Rana Mukherji Founder and CEO – Hotelier Coin

Chris Nader Vice President Development – Shaza Hotels

Nicholas Naples Chief Executive Officer – Public Investment Fund – Amaala Amit Nayak Vice President and Executive Board Member, HAMA Dr Khosro Ezaz-Nikpay Director – Zendegii

Tamsin Nugent Founder – Red T Group

Menelaos Petrovas Director, Digital Marketing – Airport Hotel Basel AG Raki Phillips Chief Citizen – Earth Hotels

Cyril Piaia Associate Partner – Stratford & Russell Alban Mabille de Poncheville Manager Development, MENA – Radisson Hotel Group John Probandt Co-founder – Checkmate Investing

Martin Quinn Non-Executive Chairman – Purple Dragon

SPEAKERS Ignacio Ramirez Managing Director MENA – Winnow Solutions

Nirmal Sethia Founder – Newby Teas

Andrew Reitmaier Director – Corporate Development – Oakwood®

Augostino Sfeir Chief Investment Officer – United Real Estate Company (URC)

Damien Rizzi Head of Asset Management Global Hospitality – Drees & Sommer Vikrant Rohatgi Deal Advisory, Global Strategy Group – KPMG

Jad Shamseddin Managing Director Hotels Division – Al Hokair Group Chinmay Shukla Senior Manager – PwC

Tea Ros Founder & Managing Director – Strategic Hotel Consulting

Samuel Sidiqi Chief Executive Officer – RAK Properties

Jay Rosen Head of Investment & Finance – The Red Sea Development Company

Abhinav Sinha Global Chief Operating Officer – OYO Hotels and Homes

Robin Rossmann Managing Director – STR

Christof H. Rühl Advisory Board – Crystol Energy

Gaurav Sinha Founder & CEO – Insignia

David Sjolander Chief Operating Officer – HTNG

Stephen Sackur Presenter – HARDTalk

Patrick Smith Chief Operating Officer – IFA Real Estate Services

Russell Scott Vice President Food & Beverage, Luxury Brands – Accor

Filippo Sona Managing Director, Global Hospitality – Drees & Sommer

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Nabil Souhail Vice President Business Development & Operations MEA & Asia – Buddha-Bar International Fettah Tamince Founder and Chairman – Rixos Hotels

Richard Thompson Editorial Director – MEED

Morgan Tuckness Head of Technical Services & Development Drees & Sommer Nick van Marken Managing Director – van Marken Limited Suma Venkatesh Executive Vice President – The Indian Hotels Company Ltd Costas Verginis Regional Vice President Lodging Development - Middle East – Marriott International

Wessel Witthuhn Director of Development & Construction - Global Hospitality – Drees & Sommer Jonathan Worsley Chairman and Founder – Bench Events

Oliver Worsley PhD CEO and CoFounder – Sequential

James Wrenn Senior Manager Hotels (MENA Region) – Colliers International Dr. Adam Wu Chief Operating Officer – China Invests Overseas by CBN Elie Younes Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer – Radisson Hotel Group Talal Yousif Director – HVS

Preben Vestdam Founder & CEO – HotelSwaps

Shuja Zaidi Principal – Equinox Hospitality

Mark Willis Chief Executive Officer - MEA – Accor

Maya Ziadeh IHG

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2019: Speaker profiles AHIC 2019 will welcome more than 100 speakers to the stage in Ras al Khaimah. Here Breaking Travel News takes a look at some of the key players at the industry leading event Tuesday April 9th Julie Hamilton

JULIE HAMILTON

The annual event will this year launch with a ‘Day of Disruption’, examining how the hospitality industry might change in the longterm. Among those to offer their perspective will be Julie Hamilton, senior vice president, chief customer and commercial leadership officer for the Coca-Cola Company. She will address delegates on the topic of ‘How is the Coca-Cola Company innovating, disrupting and playing the long-game?’ at 14:20 on April 9th.

Hamilton joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1996 and has held a variety of sales, marketing and operational positions including group vice president of the North America Wal-Mart Team, vice president of global customer

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development, group director for global on-premise customers, director of franchise sales and marketing, north-west US region, group manager for the worldwide marketing partnership with Blockbuster and brand development manager of still beverages. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Network of Executive Women in Retail, Children’s Miracle Network and Students in Free Enterprise. As a champion of women in business, she also has served as president of the Coca-Cola Women’s Forum from 2005-2007 and continues to mentor fellow associates and youth in the community.

Maria de la Fuente Corrales Later the same day, at 15:00, Maria de la Fuente Corrales, travel industry analyst with Google, will offer her thoughts under the title of ‘Looking at How a Smarter Adoption of Technology can Future Proof the Hospitality Business’.

Corrales works for Google Dubai, where she partners with travel clients in the region to help them to grow their business in the digital ecosystem. She holds a master’s degree in telecommunications engineering and worked as a software engineer in Airbus, Germany, before joining the Spanish Google office as a travel analytical lead five years ago. She has performed other initiatives inside

MARIA DE LA FUENTES CORRALES

the company such as Talks at Google in Spain and Middle East, where she interviewed relevant personalities of the Spanish and Middle Eastern society; and helped to define the strategy of Google in emerging markets.

Sébastien Bazin Sure to be among the highlights of the first day, Sébastien Bazin, chairman and chief executive of Accor, will appear via video link. He will offer address delegates on the topic of ‘What is your compass in times of disruption, innovation and global turmoil?’. After leading a SÉBASTIEN BAZIN

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complete overhaul of the French hospitality giant in recent years, his appearance is one not to miss.

Fettah Tamince

FETTAH TAMINCE

Finally for the first day, Fettah Tamince, founder of Rixos Hotels, will take to the stage to address the topic of ‘Disrupting traditional allinclusive – Changing the business model’. Tamince is a successful international businessman and one of the leading entrepreneurs in Turkey. His activities and investments extend to a wide range of industries including tourism, hotel management and investments, construction, real estate development and higher education.

He is a risk taker and a problem solver with a mind toward bettering his surroundings. In March 2017 Rixos Hotels has decided for further expansion and growth globally to co-operate with a strong partner in the hospitality industry and announced its strategic partnership with AccorHotels.

JONATHAN WORSLEY

HAITHAM MATTAR

organisers of multiple leading international conferences for the hotel investment industry, including the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference. Few people have done more to promote hospitality in the Middle East. In his role as leader of the tourism industry in Ras al Khaimah, Mattar too has worked tirelessly to promote the emirate.

Under his leadership, Ras Al Khaimah is achieving continued

growth in visitor numbers and netting a growing share of the global outbound tourism market.

Wednesday April 10th Jonathan Worsley & Haitham Mattar Moving onto the second day of AHIC 2019 and both Jonathan Worsley, chairman of hosts Bench Events, and Haitham Mattar, chief executive officer of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, will offer their remarks.

Worsley is one of the founders and SHEIKH SAUD BIN SAQR AL QASIMI

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Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasami They will be followed by Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who will official open proceedings.

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INTERNATIONAL BROADCAST PARTNER

SUPPORTING PARTNER

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MIDDLE EAST GALA CEREMONY 25th April 2019 Warner Bros. WorldTM Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates

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Raúl González & Robin Rossman with Talal Yousif On the first panel of the day, Raúl González, chief executive officer of Barceló, will be among those tackling the topic of ‘The world we live in and a review of global economic prospects and perspectives’. He will be followed on stage by Robin Rossmann, managing director of STR, and Talal Yousif, director of HVS, as both present a session entitled ‘Searching for sunshine, praying for performance and what about the future?’

RAÚL GONZÁLEZ

ROBIN ROSSMANN

TALAL YOUSIF

Stephen Sackur with Oliver Harnisch Pascal Gauvin & Mark Willis In the main event of the day, HardTalk presenter Stephen Sackur will host the ‘Synchronised for success?’ session. He will be joined by Emaar Hospitality chief executive, Olivier Harnisch, Pascal Gauvin, managing director, IMEA for IHG, and Mark Willis, chief executive, MEA at Accor. They will each discuss how they are Syncing for Success. Never in the history of the hotel industry have we seen such a rapid build-up of hotel rooms. How does the industry cope and what business models are evolving that will help retain and attract more owners and investors?

STEPHEN SACKUR

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

AHIC 2019

Jay Rosen

OLIVIER HARNISCH

At 12:20, Jay Rosen, head of investment and finance for the Red Sea Development Company, will give the AHIC Leadership Talk on the topic of ‘Sustainable investment tourism development for the future’. Clients are increasingly conscious of the need for conservation and yet hungry for new, more personalised travel experiences, how can we foster a new, positive relationship between tourism and the environment and provide a sustainable investment opportunity?

The Red Sea Development Company is a closed joint stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. In his role Rosen oversees finance, investment, and asset management for a new international luxury tourism destination set along the Red Sea as part of the Kingdom’s

PASCAL GAUVIN MARK WILLIS

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Vision 2030. He is responsible for driving long-term strategic value by planning, implementing, managing, and controlling all financial and investment related activities of the Company.

JAY ROSEN

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EVENT PARTNERS

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SUPPORTING PARTNER

AFRICA & INDIAN OCEAN GALA CEREMONY 1st June 2019 Sugar Beach – A Sun Resort Mauritius

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Adrian Gardiner & Thomas Grunder

ADRIAN GARDINER

Each property is unique and seeks to bring to life the real character and spirit of its location.

Later in the afternoon, Thomas Grundner, vice president of sales and marketing for JA Resorts & Hotels, will offer his thoughts on ‘Alternatives to the big boys – Meeting the changing needs of consumers and owners’. Is it time for the rise of the smaller brands?

As industry consolidation continues to see the large operators grow in size are smaller, regionally focused operators the alternative some owners have been looking for?

Grundner’s vision for sales across the JA Resorts & Hotels portfolio includes a focus on driving global expansion, maintaining a brand promise of unique experiences and unforgettable memories, and attracting and developing talent to deliver market-leading performance.

THOMAS GRUNDER

Next up Adrian Gardiner, chief executive of Mantis Collection, will tackle the question of ‘The Edge of Wildness - Adventure tourism luxury concepts’. Looking at the untapped potential of this market.

What are the key things that need to be in place to drive this segment?

Where is the potential for investors?

What are some success stories to learn from?

The Mantis Group, while maintaining its origins in South Africa, has developed their model worldwide understanding that consumers could use Mantis as a mark of quality, consistency and character with their portfolio of over 85 properties. Today the Group comprises the finest examples of privately-owned boutique hotels, game reserves and eco experiences.

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

ELIE YOUNES

Thursday April 11th Jerome Briet Patrick Fitzgibbon Dimitris Manikis & Elie Younes JEROME BRIET

Moving onto the final day and things start quickly with four big hitters tackling the topic of ‘Franchising – is it the future in the GCC? What does it take to do it well?’

Delegates will have a chance to learn from those who have been excelling at it for years as Jerome Briet, chief development officer, Middle East & Africa with Marriott International, Patrick Fitzgibbon senior vice president development, EMEA, at Hilton, Dimitris Manikis, managing director for Europe, Middle East, Eurasia, Africa for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Elie Younes, chief development officer at Radisson Hotel Group, take the stage.

AHIC 2019

PATRICK FITZGIBBON

Stephen Sackur & Abhinav Sinha In a final highlight, presenter Stephen Sackur returns to the stage for an AHIC Hard Talk. Joined

by Abhinav Sinha, global chief operating officer at Oyo Hotels & Homes, they will tackle the topic of ‘How is India’s Oyo disrupting the hotel business model using technology?’ The company is south Asia’s largest, one of China’s top three and the world’s fastest growing chain of hotels, homes and living spaces. At Oyo, Sinha is responsible for delivering great customer experience, building the organization and planning and supervising growth across India and global territories.

ABHINAV SINHA

DIMITRIS MANIKIS

More Information Find the complete Arabian Hotel Investment Forum programme at: www.arabianconference.com/programme

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EUROPE GALA CEREMONY 8th June 2019 Madeira Portugal

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NEWS

Bench Events launches revamped app to delegates The organisers have launched a revamped mobile app ahead the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Ras al Khaimah

investment community organised in partnership with Middle East business intelligence brand, MEED.

As delegates prepare for the event, they are able to see the agenda, plan their schedules and learn about the speakers. Guests can also network with other attendees, schedule meetings and contribute to the activity feed.

The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference will take place from April 9th-11th.

The annual knowledge and networking platform for the hotel investment community will take place in an all new purpose-built AHIC Village in the grounds of the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah. Bench Events will host AHIC 2019 in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

AHIC, now in its 15th year, is the annual gathering for the Middle East’s hospitality

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AHIC creates a knowledge and networking platform for global and regional investors of all backgrounds, offering essential insights to investing in hotels, showcasing regional and international hospitality investment opportunities and facilitating direct connections with hospitality industry stakeholders.

Held under the patronage of sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, AHIC 2019 will be co-hosted by its founding patron, sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Airports, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Emirates Group, whose continued support of the industry and AHIC has been critical to the region’s tourism growth.

More Information The new AHIC app can be found on both the Google Play Store and App Store.

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LATIN AMERICA CEREMONY 13th July 2019 La Paz Bolivia

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AHIC reveals programme highlights Ahead of the event, HERE’S a sneak peek into select daily sessions, as well as unique networking and destination experiences, available over the three-day conference in Ras Al Khaimah

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AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

AHIC NEWS Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2019, featuring 100 or more speakers from around the world and expecting to attract over 900 delegates, has been curated around the theme ‘Synchronised for Success’. The programme will debate numerous demands on the Middle East’s hospitality industry and the need for investors, owners and operators alike to be aligned as they tackle these.

demand from the likes of HVS, STR, Colliers and Drees & Sommer.

The 15th edition of AHIC is taking place from April 9th-11th at the bespoke AHIC village at the Al Hamra International Exhibition & Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah.

On Wednesday, April 10th, the official opening of AHIC 2019 will take place by conference host and patron sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. The second day of the conference will feature a series of keynote presentations, roundtable and panel discussions as well as breakout sessions on a range of different topics all in line with this year’s theme of Synchronised for Success.

The first day of AHIC 2019 will be a ‘Day of Disruption’, set to bring invaluable learnings from outside of the industry with sessions led by Google, the Foundation for Art and Blockchain and the Coca-Cola Company, while plenary sessions include exclusive data analysis on future market

The final day of the conference, April 11th, will discuss different hotel operating models in the morning, with the afternoon being dedicated to market opportunities with a focus on outward investment and travel from China as the conference’s concluding session.

AHIC 2019 promises to provide more opportunity than ever for delegates to deepen existing relationships and forge new ones among the leaders of the hospitality investment community through the unparallel networking and destination experience activities on offer throughout the event.

Haitham Mattar, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference once again in the beautiful Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. It is always a great pleasure to see key players from the hospitality industry coming together to share ideas, market trends and insight to further grow and develop this booming sector in the Middle East. This year’s theme ‘Synchronised for Success’ truly embodies RAKTDA’s ethos in growing tourism within the Emirate with the support of various partners and stakeholders to accelerate its progress, increase its appeal, and attract local and foreign investment. We look forward to welcoming all the delegates and showcasing the Emirate’s unrivalled authentic experiences.”

AHIC creates a knowledge and networking platform for global and regional investors of all backgrounds, offering essential insights to investing in hotels, showcasing regional and international hospitality investment opportunities and facilitating direct connections with hospitality industry stakeholders.

“Delegates will have the opportunity to experience Ras Al Khaimah in unique ways this year which we’re very excited about,” said Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events and founder of AHIC. “Adventure lovers can glide over the Jebel Jais Mountains on the world’s longest zip line. Petrol heads can get behind the wheel of a luxury supercar provided by Supercar Rental. Sports fans can challenge peers and new acquaintances to a round of golf on the Al Hamra Golf Club’s Par 72 Championship course and for those looking to revitalise mind and body, a guided morning session of hatha yoga and meditation is taking place in the gardens of Waldorf Astoria. Finally, for the night owls, the famous AHIC after hours receptions will be hosted by Waldorf Astoria and Ritz Carlton Al Wadi Desert,” he added.

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24 hours in Ras Al Khaimah How to have a perfect day in the up and coming UAE holiday destination JEBEL JAIS

Just landed? Chances are you’ll be looking for somewhere to check into.

Fortunately for discerning travellers, the UAE’s northern most emirate is fast becoming known for its top notch accommodation: beautiful accommodation abounds all over the emirate.However, there’s more to RAK than five star hotels.

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

RAK is becoming synonymous with sport and the golfers amongst you won’t want to pass up the chance to play the World Golf Awards recognised Al Hamra Golf Club. Designed by renowned golf course architect, Peter Harradine, the course incorporates both open water lagoons and desert landscapes resulting in a stunning par 72 championship course – measuring 7,325 yards at full length.

Tower Links Golf Club is another top choice and a nominee in the 2018 World Golf Awards. With four tees to choose from, golfers of all handicaps can enjoy this 7,199 yard, par 72,18 hole course whose back nine holes are fully floodlit allowing for night golf.

Alternatively adventureseekers can give zip lining a go: RAK is home to world recordbreaking zip line measuring 2.83km – equivalent to over 28 football pitches – and reaching speeds close to 150km per hour.

FEATURE THE ZIP LINE

After the zip-line, take a trip to Jebel Jais – the UAE’s highest peak – where from the new observation deck close to the summit, you can enjoy spectacular views across to the Omani border.

Next it’s time to head to your lunch destination du jour. Best in Travel recommends checking out The Cove Rotana Resort – Rotana’s first property in RAK – which boast six dining options meaning you’re sure to find something to satisfy your palate.

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24 hours in Ras Al Khaimah DESERT SAFARI

Stamina restored, it’s time to do some sightseeing. Start the afternoon by ambling around The National Museum of Ras Al Khaimah. Housed in a fort that was the residence of the ruling family until the early 1960s, this not to be missed museum houses a collection of archaeological and ethnological artefacts through which visitors can learn about architecture, pearl diving, date agriculture, farming and fishing.

region from attack by the British – before heading to Jazirat Al Hamra Fishing Village. This abandoned fishing village, just outside of Ras Al Khaimah, is one of the oldest and best preserved coastal villages in the UAE (with roots dating back to the 16th century) and serves as a reminder of life before the oil boom. One caveat: watch out for ghosts – some of the abandoned buildings are believed to be haunted.

Then discover Discover Dhayah Fort – a 16th-century mud-brick fort that was built to defend the

Chances are all that exploring will have taken its toll on your feet. Fortunately outlets for relieving your body’s aches and

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pains are readily available. The Waldorf Astoria Spa at Waldorf Astoria Ras al Khaimah, Anjana Spa at Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Eforea Spa at Doubletree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island and La'mar Spa at Marjan Island Resort & Spa all vied for spa supremacy at the 2018 World Spa Awards - the most prestigious awards programme in the spa industry.

Whichever spa and treatment you choose, expect to leave relaxed, rebalanced and ready… to embark on a desert safari.

FEATURE JAZIRAT AL HAMRA

For the fact of the matter is, that no visit to Ras Al Khaimah is complete without taking a trip into the desert – the true heart of Arabia. Virtually every tour operator offers a half or full day desert safari tour: after dune driving you can have your hands henna’ed, then make like Lawrence of Arabia and ride a camel, before enjoying a desert sunset, Arabic barbecue and a bit of belly dancing.

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Back at your accommodation, upload your envy inducing snaps to Instagram, order a night cap and start planning your return…. One trip to Ras Al Khaimah will never be enough.

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Meet the emirates Ras Al Khaimah may be dominating the headlines right now as the host of AHIC 2018, World Travel Awards’ Middle East Gala Ceremony 2018 and as the holder of the Guinness World Record for world's longest zip line but there are six other emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Here Best in Travel gives you the low-down on the seven states of the UAE

Ras Al Khaimah Tucked away away at the northern tip of the UAE lies the country’s most underrated emirate, Ras Al Khaimah.

encompasses a desert, mountain range, a coastline and fertile land. – from mountains to deserts and pristine white-sand beaches.

You won’t find the gargantuan skyscrapers, shopping malls and bars that dominate Dubai and Abu Dhabi but you will be struck by a cultural authenticity that is hard to find in the other emirates.

So while the rest of the UAE is breaking world records, RAK is quietly revelling in its rich history and beautiful landscape, which no amount of money or oil could create.

Make no mistake: Ras Al Khaimah abounds in archaeological sites, historical structures and natural beauty. Ras Al Khaimah’s landscape

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RAK is also the gateway to the magnificent Musandam Peninsula, an enclave of Oman. en.rasalkhaimah.ae

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Meet the emirates Abu Dhabi Don’t confuse Abu Dhabi with its showy sibling up the Sheikh Zayed Road.

For while the oil rich capital of the UAE may boast many of the same draws as Dubai (read 365 days of sunshine, a sparkling sea, sand whiter than a dentist’s chair plus hip hotels, top notch dining, chic bars and modern shopping malls crammed with delights), crucially the capital also wants to be regarded as an international cultural hub.

Case in point? Seek out World Travel Awards’ nominee Saadiyat Island – a mere 500m off Abu Dhabi’s east coast and half the size of Bermuda – that’s become a tourism-cultural project for nature and Emirati heritage and culture. Saadiyat Island is set to house the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi contemporary arts museum. Designed by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry at a cost of between US$200m and US$400m, this is the world’s largest Guggenheim and the only one in the Arab world.

Other meaningful coups include the first ever branch of the world famous Parisian art museum, The Louvre (designed by award winning French architect Jean Nouvel) and a Sheikh Zayed National Museum – designed by Norman Foster and devoted to Abu Dhabi’s history and heritage, as well as the legacy of the much revered late ruler of the UAE after whom the museum is named.

There’s also a Maritime Museum

by Japan’s Tadao Ando on the way, which will reflect the rich

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

maritime history of the Gulf, and a Performing Arts Centre designed by Zaha Hadid. The Iraqi-British architect became the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize – aka architecture’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize – back in 2004.

The emirate also boasts the most expensive hotel ever built – the Emirates Palace where there are over 1,000 staff for 300 odd rooms.

Factor in the now annual Formula 1 race – the 5.55-kilometre Yas Marina Circuit hosted the UAE’s inaugural Grand Prix back in 2009 – and there’s no doubting that this former fishing village is a city that is certainly going places.

By contrast Abu Dhabi's second city, Al Ain, is a sleepy place where very little happens although it’s worth visiting in the height of the scorching UAE summer, as the elevation of the land makes Al Ain a good few degrees cooler than Abu Dhabi.

Further afield, look to Liwa – the famed fertile crescent of the UAE and the gateway to the Empty Quarter which should be on everyones list of places to experience in the UAE. Visitors head here for the grand silence that echoes off the Empty Quarter and the beauty of the vast dunes that roll into the distance. visitabudhabi.ae/uken/default.aspx

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Meet the emirates

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

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Add to these outlandish projects, five star hotels with private white sand beaches, a vibrant nightlife scene, some truly outstanding restaurants and guaranteed sunshine – and Dubai’s allure is obvious.

Yet scratch beneath the shiny surface and you’ll find another side to the ‘city of gold’. Alongside the iconic skyscrapers, sit historical sites such as Bastakia and the creek – arguably the heart beat of Dubai.

Here you can watch abras and dhows (traditional Arab sailing boats) weave their way across the water, as they have done for centuries. For further local flavour, factor in a tour of Jumeirah Mosque (Dubai is after all an Islamic state even if it isn’t quite how you’d envisage Arabia) on Beach Road, before sauntering through the bustling souks.

Dubai Dubai. If you weren’t aware of the ambitious emirate in the UAE, you must have been living under a rock for the past couple of decades. The former fishing village has become one of the most talked about town’s in the world thanks to the dream, drive and determination of its charismatic ruler: step forward Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Make no mistake: the desert kingdom is home to the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building at 828m), the world’s largest shopping mall – the Dubai Malll - plus Palm shaped man-made islands and an indoor ski slope complete with 6,000 tonnes of real snow.

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These traditional market places are alive with vibrant stalls selling everything from art and jewellery to pashminas (a necessity given the artic air conditioning levels that you’ll find in Dubai’s myriad malls), batteries, bananas, spices and other seasonings. All are sold out of large open sacks, making for sensory overload.

For more glimpses of the ‘real Dubai’, explore ethnic residential districts such as Satwa and colourful Karama where you’ll get to mingle with the melting pot of cultures – there’s an incredible influx of expats from all over the world – that make up modern day Dubai.

All of the aforementioned areas can be easily reached by the Dubai metro – the world’s longest self driving metro system that has helped ease road congestion since its inauguration in 2009.

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Meet the emirates

Umm al Quwain Let's be honest, you've probably never heard of it have you? But that doesn’t mean the emirate of Umm al Quwain has nothing to offer.

junkies can skydive through Umm al Quwain Aeroclub or compete in car races via the Emirates Car & Motorcycle Racing Club.

For those interested in natural landscapes, Umm Al Quwain has unspoilt desert dunes and the largest mangrove swamp on the west coast of the UAE where many bird species live.

Tourists will also want to check out Dreamland Aqua Park – one of the first theme parks in the Gulf, whose 30 rides and crazy slides keep people coming back.

Umm al Quwain which means ‘Mother of Two Powers’ and refers to the enduring legacy of oceangoing among the emirate’s tribes is also a developing hotspot for extreme sports – thrill

For a far more calming experience, visit the nearby Umm Al Quwain Fort where the emirate’s rulers used to reside.

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Fujairah Dubai invariably tops the itineraries of most visitors to the UAE. Some adventurous souls make it to Abu Dhabi and, increasingly, Ras Al Khaimah. However if anywhere really demands a couple of days of your time, it’s Fujairah.

The youngest emirate – it gained independence from Sharjah in 1952 – Fujairah is separated from its neighbours by the towering Hajar mountains and is the only emirate to be located entirely on the east coast.

Consequently it’s become known as the beach emirate, offering the best best snorkelling and scuba-diving in the region. You can take advantage of the many different diving courses on offer, where skilled instructors are on hand to guide you every step of the way.If you prefer to enjoy long, lazy days soaking up the sun, there are plenty of umbrellas and sun loungers lining the golden sands.

Furthermore, Fujairah is home to two stand-out mosques. The first, the Al-Bidyah Mosque, is the oldest in the United Arab Emirates. Made from a simple mudand-brick construction, the mosque is home to artefacts dating back to around 1000BC. Dwarfing it in size is Fujairah’s more modern mosque, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which covers an area equal in size to three football pitches. A major landmark on the outskirts of the city, it has room for over 30,000 worshippers. NonMuslims may not enter the building, but the grand, white exterior and sumptuous grounds are well worth a visit.

To learn more about the archaeological finds unearthed in the area, head to the Fujairah Museum. Highlights in the exhibits include a stunning bowl made from an ostrich egg, Bronze Age weapons and painted pottery – all discovered locally. www.fujairahtourism.ae

Away from the beaches, Fujairah is just a stone’s throw from the mineral rich Ain al-Madhab Hot Springs.

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Meet the emirates Sharjah Stretching from the Arabian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, Sharjah is the third largest of the seven Emirates which form the United Arab Emirates – and was once the most important of the seven sheikhdoms owing to its importance as a trading hub.

Rich in history and culture; a land with a wealth of values, warm and friendly people, all year-round sunshine and distinctive blend of glorious past and bright present, the emirate is an attractive and safe destination offering the right ingredients for leisure and business alike – in spite of being home to the strictest laws in the UAE (it’s the only dry emirate).

Having been crowned the "Cultural Capital of the Arab World" in 1998, the Islamic Culture Capital for 2014 and the Arab Tourism Capital for 2015, Sharjah’s commitment to the arts isn’t in doubt.

With landmarks such as the Heritage Area which includes the Islamic Museum, Bait Al Naboodah, Souk Al Asra and Qanat Al Qasba, the emirate has preserved its history and traditions making it an ideal destination for tourists who are looking to learn a thing or two about the UAE.

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Ajman At a grand total of 250 square kilometre (95 sq miles), Ajman is the smallest of the emirates and this is emirate’s greatest appeal.

Its beautiful16km stretch of shoreline is best enjoyed with a stroll along the corniche, and its sandy beaches are heavenly for those who want to lie out under the sun or take a dip in the warm Gulf waters.

Indeed, the Gulf and the coastline are important here and Ajman is renowned as one of the largest dhow building centres in the region. While mainly modern boats emerge from the yards these days, you may catch sight of a traditionally built wooden boat sailing out of the harbour.

Further inland, the remote enclaves of Manama and Masfout enjoy the stunning backdrop of the Hajar Mountains, and provide an escape from the city and the summer heat.

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Ajman Museum, housed in an 18th century fort, delivers a slice of culture and history while Al Tallah Camel Racecourse, Ajman Arabian Horse Stud Farm and Ajman Equestrian Club offer a chance to witness ageless Arabian pastimes.

For more modern distractions, Ajman boasts a variety of activities, shops, luxury spas and wonderful restaurants and hotels. A melting pot of old and new, Ajman is a laid-back, sun drenched destination with a world of adventure, wildlife and tradition to explore.

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The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort Abu Dhabi 28th-30th October 2019

BTN DISCOVERS: The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort The iconic St. Regis brand extends its legacy to Abu Dhabi with The St. Regis Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, created by thoughtful Mediterranean architecture and a contemporary interior design

The award-winning St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is the city’s true beachfront leisure address located just 20 minutes from Abu Dhabi International Airport and 10 minutes from the city’s bustling downtown.

Set in Mediterranean haven, the suite’s interiors come alive with a neutral palette of cool browns and creams punctuated by the occasional burst of vivid coral turquoise, adding a distinctive twist to the décor.

St. Regis Suites

The welcoming bedroom features a king bed with luxurious feather-down comforters and feather pillows and a walk-in closet.

The well-appointed Refreshment Center and inroom entertainment with the flat screen TV, wi-fi and an iPod docking station provide the extra comforts, as does the spacious bathroom.

The resort’s 32 St. Regis Suites make the ideal getaway with its luxurious yet relaxed décor that features an intimate living area, a spacious bathroom and a private balcony with breathtaking views of the ocean.

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With an oversized tub, separate rain shower and double vanity with oversized mirror, it is its own kind of sanctuary, complete with exclusive Remède bath amenities. Soft bathrobes and slippers complete the pampering ambiance.

In all suites, St. Regis Butler Service ensures that unique preferences are known and catered for making an extraordinary home away from home.

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Restaurants Oléa Mediterraneaninfluenced, Olea is the all-day dining venue of The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

55&5th The Grill Inspired by the address of the original St. Regis New York, 55&5th, The Grill offers a classic, upscale Manhattan-style grill and lounge, complete with an outdoor terrace, private dining room, cellar and personal sommelier.

Turquoiz, as the name suggests, embodies the turquoise blue ocean that captivates guests on arrival.

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A beach restaurant with a large sunset terrace, this vibrant venue is set apart from the hotel as a rustic series of buildings strung out along the sand.

signature cocktails complement the restaurant’s cheerful energy during the day.

Sontaya, meaning sunset in Thai, is the seductively beautiful venue at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort that is set amongst a series of floating pavilions that look out to the beach and across the turquoise Arabian Gulf.

Featuring enchanting ambience and flavorsome fare, the pavilions and terraces overlooking shimmering pools exude romance by night, while

Adorned with state-of-the art lighting and sound equipment, the 3,000 sqm Regal Ballroom at The St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, is an ideal venue for conferences, exhibitions and grand occasions.

Meetings

Synchronised for Success at AHIC 2019 Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events, here previews the major topics to be discussed at AHIC 2019, which will bring the critical need for alignment among hospitality industry developers, investors, owners and operators under the spotlight

JONATHAN WORSLEY, CHAIRMAN OF BENCH EVENTS, LOOKS AHEAD TO AHIC 2019

Under the theme ‘Synchronised for Success’, AHIC 2019 will debate and discuss numerous demands on the Middle East’s hospitality industry and the need for investors, owners and operators alike to be aligned as they tackle these. As our event, being held in Ras Al Khaimah for the second year in succession, approaches, I believe that this need for synchronisation will be of utmost importance as inventory supply in the Middle East continues to increase.

According to the latest data from STR, there are 740 hotels in the total pipeline for the Middle East: 431 under construction; 117 in final planning; and 192 in planning. This equates to a total of 197,823 upcoming rooms in the region.

In the second annual AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast, conducted by MEED Projects and released in January this year, we revealed that close to US$30 billion worth of hotel construction contracts will be awarded in the Middle East and

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North Africa between now and 2023. The UAE leads the way, with almost US$11 billion worth of planned and un-awarded hotel projects. Egypt, which has a longestablished tourism sector, is the second largest future market with just over US$4 billion worth of hotel projects. It is followed closely by Saudi Arabia at US$ 3.9 billion.

These are formidable numbers and absorbing this level of supply will require shared vision and coordination at a destination level, a constant dialogue and transparency between all stakeholders, creativity and ingenuity beyond anything the industry has experienced before, and ultimately, a firm focus on creating products that enrich our economies for the future and sustain our industry in the longterm.

There are multiple areas in which synchronisation will be important to the sector’s success, but three key areas to consider are: sustainability; innovation; and real estate

development. These will be discussed in depth at AHIC, but here is a sneak peek ahead of the event.

Synchronised for Sustainability With ever-increasing demand for sustainable tourism, a topic we expect to be pivotal to conversations at AHIC, the industry’s major stakeholders all have significant roles to play.

Destinations, tourism authorities and master developers have a responsibility to not only protect and maintain their environments, but to encourage them to prosper.

For investors and lenders, there’s an obligation to finance projects and properties with a long-term sustainable vision and for owners, a mandate to maintain portfolios that are environmentally-aware.

Operators must be accountable too, committed to managing these assets sustainably for the appreciation of future generations.

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JOHN PAGANO OF THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY WILL DISCUSS THE RAPIDLY DEVELOPING SAUDI HOSPITALITY MARKET

biologists, ecologists, oceanographers and modellers in collaboration with TRSDC’s architects, engineers and master planners, has informed The Concept Master Plan for the luxury destination, which promises to deliver a net positive conservation benefit of up to 30 per cent within the next two decades.

John Pagano, chief executive of TRSDC, sums up the rationale behind such pioneering practices: “Our objective is to set new standards in sustainable development, respecting the species that were here before us, creating opportunities for the local communities and enhancing the destination for the future. We aim to be the world leader in environmental sustainability across all phases of development – planning, construction and operation – so that the site will actually benefit from being opened up to tourism and will flourish as a result. And we will share the knowledge we gain and the lessons we learn with the rest of the world in the hope that we can inspire other destinations around the globe.”

It is in Saudi Arabia where we are witnessing great progress in this field. We’re excited to be showcasing two of the Kingdom’s giga-projects; Amaala, a bespoke hospitality experience located within the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Natural Reserve, and the Red Sea Project, situated along the Western coast, at AHIC. The Red Sea Project will be created around an archipelago of more than 90 islands surrounded by thriving coral reefs, dramatic desert canyons and dormant volcanoes, and

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heritage sites. Master developer The Red Sea Development Company has already undertaken more than 30 ecological studies throughout the design and development phase to ensure all plans actively enhance the local environment. Most recently, it has developed a groundbreaking application of conservation and development planning with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.

The Marine Spatial Planning process, created by KAUST’s

This is most certainly a case study for best practice when it comes to being ‘Synchronised for Success’ and all eyes will no doubt be on the Red Sea Project as it is brought to fruition.

Ultimately, all players must be synchronised for the hospitality industry to achieve a legacy of sustainable tourism – something we believe is critical to the overall success of the hospitality business.

The owners’ view

DAVID SJOLANDER, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AT HTNG, WILL OFFER HIS INSIGHT AT AHIC 2019

Ahead of AHIC, some of the Middle East’s major developers and owners share their views on this year’s theme, ‘Synchronised for Success’ Haitham Mattar, chief executive officer, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority: “Everyone who works either directly or indirectly in hospitality must have the same common aim and all factors must work together in harmony to ensure that two interlinked aims are met successfully: first, that visitors have the most pleasant experience possible; and second– critically – that the destination sees tangible economic benefits and growth in revenue from tourism.

“With the synchronized support of our partners, RAKTDA’s strategic investments over the past three years have accelerated the Emirate’s progress, surpassing regional growth trends and planting it among the fastest growing tourism destinations worldwide – STR is consistently reporting Ras al Khaimah as achieving one of the highest growth rates for RevPar and ARR in the GCC. “As our tourism offering evolves in Ras Al Khaimah, we must ensure our destination is attractive to travellers who wish to explore beyond our resorts and hotels. Through our new destination strategy 2019-2021, we will continue to create compelling offerings that combine the Emirate’s key promises: pristine beaches; natural beauty; adventure and exploration; culture and

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heritage; excellence in hospitality and unrivalled experiences - so we can attract close to 1.5 million visitors by 2021, and 3 million visitors by 2025.”

Abdulla Al Abdouli, chief executive of Marjan: “The overarching theme of the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference 2019 – ‘Synchronised for Success’ – underlines the spirit of collaboration that has fostered the growth of the hospitality, leisure, tourism, retail and property development sectors of the region. It is a befitting take on the real need of the hour: collaboration and cocreation of experiences that consider the rapidly evolving aspirations of the customers, who are increasingly discerning, demanding and seeking higher value across every touch point. “ Badr Al Badr, chief executive, Dur Hospitality: “Catering to the traveller of the future is key in any market, but it is absolutely essential in Saudi Arabia where the pace of change is so fervently rapid. Working in partnership with like-minded owners and investors to pioneer innovative hospitality concepts, while simultaneously harmonising corporate and commercial goals, is essential in this dynamic environment. It is an exciting juggling act where synchronisation skills will constantly be put to the test.”

Let’s innovate together When it comes to innovation, success is likely to come not solely from within the industry, but via collaboration with others. This is why AHIC opens with a ‘Day of Disruption’, with experts in a variety of fields invited to share their experiences and how they might well relate to the hotel business.

Julie Hamilton, senior vice president, chief customer and commercial leadership officer at the Coca- Cola Company, will be sharing how the global conglomerate is innovating, disrupting and playing the long game; while Jess Houlgrave, founder and trustee, Foundation for Art and Blockchain and Menelaos Petrovas, director, digital marketing, Airport Hotel Basel, will debate whether blockchain will provide the transparency, trust, and accountability to revolutionise the hotel industry.

Meanwhile, tech experts, including Google’s travel industry analyst Maria de la Fuente Corrales, David Sjolander, chief operating officer, HTNG and Ted Horner, information technology and services consultant and owner, E Horner & Associates, will be reviewing how the smarter adoption of technology can future proof the hospitality business.

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ABDULLA AL ABDOULI, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF MARJAN, HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL TO THE GROWTH OF RAK AS A TOURISM DESTINATION

No matter the industry, technology will be one of the main drivers of innovation and synchronising our businesses with its advancements is essential. As Sjolander points out, currently challenges come from a lack of alignment.

“The industry is fragmented; most hotels have an owner, a management company and a brand, and they’re usually multiple entities. By the time a new technology can be rolled out, it’s often outdated,” Horner adds.

Being a first mover or early adopter can reap rewards, but Sjolander warns this only works if it fits with the vision of all stakeholders.

“The ‘leading edge’ is often called the ‘bleeding edge’ for a reason,” he says. “If you want to be at the

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leading edge, you must be willing to accept failure. On the other hand, if you wait too long to adopt new technology that is demanded by your guests, you will fall behind with fickle and demanding consumers.

As an owner, you must find the right balance that meets with your risk profile and is acceptable with brand partners.”

Abdulla Al Abdouli, chief executive of Marjan, the leading master developer for freehold land in Ras Al Khaimah, adds that “innovation, positivity, tech-adoption and creativity” are four critical drivers in the new ‘synchronised model for success’ that every business must consider”.

“These are not just options but imperatives in today’s changing market dynamics. Innovation must become part of an organisation’s DNA and a work culture, whereby every stakeholder voluntarily involves in identifying new ways to do things more efficiently,” says Al Abdouli.

“Operators need to start thinking more like an owner, to customise, mix, match and deliver on all requirements and individual needs.

There is no one-sizefits-all approach here. ” Marloes Knippenberg, chief executive officer, Kerten Hospitality

MARLOES KNIPPENBERG, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF KERTEN HOSPITALITY, WILL OFFER A NEW PERSPECTIVE DURING THE EVENT

Redefining real estate While sustainability and innovation are bound to be two of the hot topics at AHIC, as always, the core debate will revolve around hospitality investment trends, challenges and opportunities.

Topics here include ‘Valuations in the Middle East’; ‘Speeding up the development process’ and ‘How do you bring in capital to hotel investments’. AHIC will also analyse the latest developments when it comes to hotel management models, looking at the growth of asset managers, the future of franchising and the potential for third party management companies – and how each impacts owner and operator.

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

Ahead of the event, Marloes Knippenberg, chief executive officer, Kerten Hospitality, throws a new perspective on this relationship.

“There should not be a differentiation between an owner and an operator,” she asserts.

“Operators need to start thinking more like an owner, to customise, mix, match and deliver on all requirements and individual needs.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach here. When operators start taking real ownership, then the line between both is blurred, then the partnership becomes a win-win.

This is what we believe in and constantly nurture,” says Knippenberg, who is presenting a session at AHIC entitled ‘Creating more than hotel rooms – looking at

blended real estate solutions for living’.

In line with the theme of Synchronised for Success, Knippenberg adds: “Allowing bandwidth to scale as part of the asset management roadmap and viewing the asset as an investment by both – owner and operator is key.

The first paradigm of success is marked when an asset operator and an owner share the same viewpoint regarding risk, responsibilities and return on investment. The second paradigm is challenging the status quo and accepting the fact that both are part of the same journey and have the same target: To contribute to economic growth in a sustainable manner by delivering on their common objective.

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The Grand Ras al Khaimah project Enter the region’s first competition to win a fully-funded beachfront project in Ras Al Khaimah

“By embracing a collaborative mindset, we can add value to our multi-stakeholder platform. We need to think like disruptors and combine the Uber and UberEats experiences, the Booking.com comfort as well as the Amazon retail portfolio and Expedia.com travel scenarios and personalise them all to create value-add opportunities as part of a single system. This is the greatest alignment opportunity for all of us.”

More Information For many more insights into the future synchronisation of the hospitality industry head over to www.arabianconference.com.

breakingtravelnews.com

Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE supreme council member, ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and patron of AHIC, is offering operators attending the 15th edition of the event the chance to win a fully-funded beachfront hotel project in Ras Al Khaimah.

The competition, which aims to create a new resort that is unique to Ras Al Khaimah and the Middle East, is open to delegates registered to attend AHIC 2019. Working in teams combining hotel designers and operators, entrants will have three months, up until July, to prepare a preliminary concept vision supported by a high-level feasibility appraisal.

Entries will be judged on commercial feasibility, innovation and sustainability, with three shortlisted operators set to receive US$25,000 each as a contribution towards their final submission, due in November.

The winning project, which will be backed and funded by sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, will be allocated a coveted beachfront location.

The winner will be announced and celebrated at an exclusive event in November.

The nomination process will be launched at AHIC 2019, being held at the AHIC Village in Ras Al Khaimah.

Celebrating Excellence in Ski Tourism

WORLD SKI AWARDS 22ND – 24TH NOVEMBER 2019 A-ROSA KITZBÜHEL, AUSTRIA

7 T H A N N UA L

Kitzbühel

WORLDSKIAWARDS.COM

WORLDSKIAWARDS

BTN DISCOVERS: A-ROSA Kitzbühel HOST OF THE WORLD SKI AWARDS

Discover the majesty of the Tirolean mountains! This unique part of the world is spectacularly beautiful all year round and boasts diversity like nowhere else. AROSA Kitzbühel sits nestled among the Alps and looks out on the Hahnenkamm and the Streif, two legendary

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

icons of the renowned winter sports town. Throughout the year Kitzbühel's sophisticated flair entices sports enthusiasts as well as those seeking rest and relaxation. The A-ROSA resort is the perfect place to enjoy a holiday in the Alps for both body and soul...

www.a-rosaresorts.de/en/arosa/resorts-hotels/kitzbue hel/

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breakingtravelnews.com

Find the latest news, videos, virtual tours, social media of the Palm Jumeirah including events and attractions

www.palmtimes.co

MEED reveals strong pipeline for Middle Eastern hospitality Organisers of the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference have released the second annual AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast, which reveals that close to US$30 billion worth of hotel construction contracts will be awarded in the Middle East and North Africa between now and 2023 According to the research, which was conducted by MEED Projects in quarter four of 2018, hotel development is most active in the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, making these the markets to watch in 2019.

Ed James, director of content and analysis at leading projects tracking service, MEED Projects, said: “More than 800 new hotels worth in excess of US$44 billion have been built over the past seven years in the Middle East and North Africa, as the region benefits from increased visitor numbers, new world-class tourist attractions and investment in transport infrastructure.

“Leading the way in this tourism drive has been the UAE, with more than US$20 billion worth of hotel construction contracts awarded since 2012. This total is more than double the amount awarded in the second-highest country, Saudi

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

Arabia, which saw just over US$10 billion worth of hotel deals awarded in the same timeframe,” said James.

According to the AHIC Hotel Investment Forecast, the levels of investment show no signs of slowing.

“Just under US$30 billion worth of hotels are due to be awarded in the region over the next five years,” revealed James. “The UAE again leads the way with almost US$11 billion worth of planned and unawarded hotel projects, including The Address Harbour Point, MGM Resorts and Warner Bros. hotels in Dubai, and Marriott Resort Ras alKhaimah, to name but a few.”

He continued: “Egypt, which has a long-established tourism sector, is the second largest future market with just over US$4 billion worth of hotel projects. It is followed closely

by Saudi Arabia at US$ 3.9 billion.”

Hotel investment prospects for the region will be discussed in depth at the 15th edition of AHIC, which will take place this week at a new purpose-built AHIC Village in the grounds of the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench Events and founder of AHIC, said: “We’re excited to hear from our partner, MEED Projects, that the value of future hotel investments in the region is only going to get larger.

That said, increased supply brings with it a unique set of challenges and AHIC provides the perfect forum to discuss and debate these.

Under the theme ‘Synchronised for Success’, AHIC 2019 will include numerous conference and networking sessions that tackle how the industry can work together to capitalise on opportunities, overcome obstacles and maximise

FEATURE

returns for the future.”

Ras Al Khaimah

Worsley observed: “Tourism has boomed in the MENA region as a result of governments’ commitments to diversifying their economies. Relaxed visa regulations, enhanced marketing, and investment in key attractions and events, such as Louvre Abu Dhabi, Dubai Parks and Resorts, and the Bahrain and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, have helped drive a record numbers of tourists to the region.

Saudi Arabia has made tourism a centrepiece of its 2030 Vision with the multi-billion-dollar Neom and Red Sea mega-developments. At the same time, investment in new hotels and renovations of older properties has helped propel the Middle East into one of the world’s fastest growing tourism hotspots.”

Ras Al Khaimah, where AHIC will be held for the second year, is one of the markets in the UAE with the most potential for more hotel development. The emirate is preparing to add 5,000 rooms, by the end of 2021, to the 6,500 currently available with the confirmed introduction of major global brands over the next three years.

breakingtravelnews.com

Haitham Mattar, chief executive of RAKTDA, revealed: “There is huge potential in the emirate for entities looking to develop resorts, niche accommodation options and new tourism products, and this is reflected in the astonishing improvements in the infrastructure, facilities and developments taking place, all with the objective of increasing annual visitor arrivals. In addition, the government is actively

encouraging private investment, and making those investments even more attractive, by adding incentives and putting massive resources behind tourism development.”

More Information MEED is a senior management media brand, that encompasses subscription to the MEED Business Review publication and website, www.meed.com, as well as organising the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, AHIC and Innovation Live!

MEED also works with clients on bespoke content, events, broadcast and digital offerings.

Find out more at www.meed.com.

NEWS

Mantis signs for new luxury camp in Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has entered into an agreement with Mantis to operate an upcoming luxury camp project on Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE visitors spectacular mountain views of the Hajar mountains, and a year-round retreat with temperatures around ten degrees cooler than the rest of UAE. Expected to be completed in 2020, the tented camp will comprise a total of 47 luxury units - 34 deluxe tents, 11 onebedroom tented suites with a private pool, and two twobedroom tented suites with a private pool - complemented further by state-ofthe-art facilities such as a health club, heated pool, spa & wellness centre, kids’ play area, fire pit, and a restaurant. The unique, eco-tourism HAITHAM MATTAR, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF RAS AL KHAIMAH TOURISM project complements DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, LEFT, AND JOHN HANNA, MANAGING the array of adventure DIRECTOR OF MANTIS UK, SIGN THE DEAL tourism attractions The announcement was made currently on offer in the

by Haitham Mattar, chief Emirate and will feature the executive of Ras Al Khaimah latest technology to minimise Tourism Development energy use and conserve Authority, and John Hanna, water. managing director of Mantis UK, during a signing ceremony Mattar said: “Jebel Jais remains last month. The luxury core to Ras Al Khaimah’s mountain camp will be located proposition as we capitalize on at the height of approximately the global adventure tourism 600 to 700 metres above seaindustry to secure further level – on Jebel Jais offering interest from investors in this

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

growing segment. With the right investment and the use of best practice to develop sustainable tourism, we envision a globally recognised destination attracting close to 1.5 million visitors by 2021, and three million visitors by 2025.”

Over the last few years, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority launched three new ecofriendly adventure-based projects on the UAE’s highest mountain Jebel Jais – positioning it as the nature adventure hub of the Middle East and complementing the offering of the neighbouring Emirates.

Hanna added: “We are extremely grateful to the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority for their trust in us in contributing to the emirate’s everexpanding tourism industry.

The luxury camp is going to be a unique destination that aims to attract a broad range of guests. We look forward to its opening next year and hope to set a new benchmark in the fastest growing tourist destination in the region. With a growing number of visitors to Ras Al Khaimah, the luxury camp is a valuable addition to the unique outdoor experiences that the Emirate offers.”

Grand Final Gala Ceremony In beautiful Sultanate of Oman, Muscat

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES Bahla Fort was inscribed as World Heritage Site in 1987 and has since been beautifully restored. The fort reopened to the public in late 2012.

Gateways To beauty and opportunity

5 TH A N N U A L

21st October 2019

Armani Hotel Dubai, UAE

BTN DISCOVERS: ARMANI HOTEL DUBAI Every aspect of the hotel’s design and service offerings has been designed and planned by Giorgio Armani himself, from the bespoke furnishings to restaurant menus and in-room amenities Armani Hotel Dubai, the first hotel designed by Giorgio Armani, in collaboration with leading property developer Emaar Properties PJSC, in Burj Khalifa, is offering visitors to Dubai an unprecedented choice for luxurious indulgence in elegant settings.

Armani Hotel Dubai has created a new benchmark in luxury hospitality, pushing the accepted norms and frontiers in the industry. The collaboration with Giorgio Armani brings a new level of aesthetics to the hotel.

Additionally, the concept of Lifestyle Managers, who meet every need of the guests, introduced for the first time in Armani Hotel Dubai, has redefined service standards.

The ‘Stay with Armani’ philosophy has been overwhelmingly well received by guests, as it ensures they benefit from a ‘home-awayfrom-home’ experience that

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

goes well beyond visual aesthetics. The hotel also enjoys several other special features, including the location in Burj Khalifa, which means it possesses unparalleled views of Dubai and beyond.

Located in Burj Khalifa, occupying the floors concourse to 8 and levels 38 and 39, the hotel features 160 luxurious guest rooms and suites, seven innovative restaurants, exclusive retail outlets and a spa.

Practicality and elegance, the cornerstones of Armani’s signature style, combine with precious materials and sophisticated finishes to create a highly personalised space.

The choice of restaurants, all hugely popular with guests and walk-in diners, includes a selection of world cuisines ranging from Japanese and Indian to Mediterranean and authentic Italian fine dining.

Also popular among guests are the three exclusive retail outlets: Armani/Galleria, the first and only place in Dubai where the Giorgio Armani/Privé collection is showcased; Armani/Dolci, a luxurious confectionary store offering a selection of chocolates, and more; and Armani/Fiori, a floral boutique offering exquisite fresh flower arrangements and exclusively designed vases by Giorgio Armani.

Based on the philosophy that travel is as much an emotional journey as a physical one, Armani Hotel Dubai assigns each hotel guest a personal Lifestyle Manager who will serve as a personal contact and host from the moment they make a reservation to the time they check out and even beyond.

As part of Armani Hotel Dubai’s continuous commitment to originate value-added features, the hotel introduced

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Armani/SPA, offering fully tailored sensory experiences that suit individual needs.

Each unique space in the Armani/SPA provides a context for personalized treatments, personal fitness and sequential thermal

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bathing, as well as for private and social relaxation.

Armani Hotel Dubai is located in the heart of Downtown Dubai, described as “The Centre of Now”, and is within walking distance of

The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination. dubai.armanihotels.com

I

n light of the current robust visitor demand, solid regional and international partnerships, and product launches executed over the past few years, Ras Al Khaimah is on a mission to further assert its position as the fastest growing tourism destination in the region, while showcasing its breadth of offer in regional and international target markets.

The new strategy is set to implement best practices as per international standards to fuel a sustainable tourism-driven economic growth in Ras Al Khaimah.

The strategic three-year programme will focus on diversifying the emirate’s tourism offering to attract a wider segment of tourists and higher yield visitors looking for authentic experiences, accelerating foreign and local investments within the tourism sector, nurturing home-grown small and medium enterprises to create further

employment and business opportunities for RAK nationals, and prioritizing sustainable nature-based adventure and authentic cultural experiences.

Haitham Mattar, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said: “As our tourism offering evolves in Ras Al Khaimah, we must ensure our destination is attractive to travellers who wish to explore beyond the resorts and hotels. Our Tourism Strategy 2019-2021 is a comprehensive three-year programme that takes Ras Al Khaimah to the next level.

We’re delighted with the success our offering has had in our target markets to date, but with the new destination strategy we aim to diversify and enhance visitors’ experiences through differentiated product development.”

He added: “Another area of focus for us will be positioning and promoting Ras Al Khaimah in targeted international markets to attract higher yield customers all year round.”

Ras Al Khaimah seeks three million visitors annually by 2025 A new tourism strategy aims to build on the successes of the previous strategy, launched by RAKTDA in 2016.

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

FEATURE

Jebel Jais Flight

The emirate is preparing to add 5,000 rooms to the 6,500 currently available with the confirmed introduction of major global brands

breakingtravelnews.com

One of Ras Al Khaimah’s key growth milestones in 2018 was the launch of Jebel Jais Flight - the world’s longest zipline on Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE. This put Ras Al Khaimah on the global map as it broke the world record and strengthened the emirate’s credentials as the fastest growing adventure tourism destination in the region. Another key factor in the growing popularity of the emirate was a calendar of world-class events, and the increase in international partnerships with travel trade through the opening of overseas offices and a series of trade roadshows throughout the year.

The new Destination Strategy aims to build on this success and transform Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism industry into a sustainable driver of the economy.

“Under the guidance and directives of sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, the new Destination Strategy will also look at expanding tourism driven employment. By 2021 we aim to employ 10,000 more people into the tourism and

hospitality sector and nurturing investment from small and medium businesses, which benefit the community. This will of course raise the overall competitiveness of the industry attracting more international and local investments therefore enabling an environment for sustainable growth,” added Mattar.

Ras Al Khaimah has also identified supply of new hotel rooms as a major focus moving forward in order to support the increasing popularity of the destination with international and domestic tourists.

The emirate is preparing to add 5,000 rooms to the 6,500 currently available with the confirmed introduction of major global brands including Marriott, Movenpick, Sheraton, Anantara, Rezidor, Intercontinental and Conrad over the next three years.

Over the next three years Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority will continue to create compelling offerings that combine the emirate’s key promises: pristine beaches; natural beauty; cultural heritage; excellence in hospitality and unrivalled experiences in order to attract close to 1.5 million visitors by 2021, and three million visitors by 2025.

NEWS

Ras Al Khaimah launches eastern Europe promotional drive In light of the double-digit growth figures recorded in 2018, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has kicked off 2019 with a series of roadshows targeting key eastern European countries to promote the destination

“International visitors are significantly important to Ras Al Khaimah, and we believe our roadshows in quarter one served as a great vehicle to tell our story, and to continue to raise awareness about our spectacular products and diversified destination offerings, featuring year-round sunshine that our European visitors are especially keen to have. Last year, we exceeded our goals and recorded ten per cent increase in the total number of visitors’ year-onyear, with a remarkable growth in Eastern European markets.”

EASTERN EUROPEAN ROADSHOWS

The events will highlight the emirate’s latest product developments and unique offerings. The special delegation from Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority visited the cities of Budapest, Bucharest, Bratislava, Moscow, Kazan, Novosibirsk and St. Petersburg over the course of two months, and met with various tourism bodies, local government entities, private sector representatives and other partners from the travel and tourism sector.

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

Eastern European markets are a main contributor to the Emirate’s inbound tourism. In 2018, Russia, Romania and Hungary recorded double digit growth in the total number of visitors to Ras Al Khaimah year-on-year, accounting for an increase of 17.1% per cent in visitors from Russia, 29.7 per cent from Romania and 11.4 per cent from Hungary.

Haitham Mattar, chief executive officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said:

He added: “This gives us confidence in our ability to reach our new destination strategy goals, which aims to attract close to 1.5 million visitors to the Emirate by 2021 and three million visitors by 2025.”

The roadshows widely focused on highlighting Ras Al Khaimah’s summer campaign that featured the destination’s most diverse offerings that are ideal for families looking for holidays of sun, fun and adventures.

NEWS

Ras Al Khaimah breaks one million visitor barrier in 2018 Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority has announced its consolidated results for the full year of 2018

cent; India was fourth with 62,325 visitors, up 22 per cent; rounding out the top five was Kazakhstan with 27,168 visitors, a growth of 28 per cent.

One of Ras Al Khaimah’s key milestones in 2018 was the launch of Jebel Jais Flight, which has welcomed over 25,000 flyers since opening 12 months ago.

The authority launched its first three-year destination strategy in 2016 outlining the vision and mission for tourism in the emirate, with the goal of attracting one million visitors to Ras Al Khaimah by 2018. The emirate has exceeded these targets with a reported 1,072,066 visitors from domestic and key international markets choosing to stay in Ras Al Khaimah during 2018.

The Authority reported a ten per cent growth in visitors compared to 2017, led by the UAE domestic market which continues to generate 38 per cent of overall visitors. Germany continues to be the leading international source market with 83,605 visitors, followed by Russia, with 83,531 visitors - up by a significant 17 per cent on 2017. The third largest source market was the UK, with 63,054 visitors, up 11.5 per

breakingtravelnews.com

Haitham Mattar, chief executive of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said: “Last year was another remarkable year for the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in terms of achievements and milestones accomplished, primarily exceeding our target of one million visitors. With the current robust visitor demand, solid regional and international partnerships in place and iconic product launches over the past few years, Ras Al Khaimah is on a mission to further assert its position as the fastest growing tourism destination in the region, while promoting our emirate’s breadth of offerings to regional and international target markets.”

World Travel Awards headed Middle East Gala Ceremony 2 World Travel Awards has revealed that its Middle East Gala Ceremony 2019 is set to take place on April 25th at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

FEATURE

d to Abu Dhabi for 2019 The park is the latest addition to Yas Island’s theme parks, joining Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld.

Attending the gala reception at Abu Dhabi’s newest tourist attraction are leading figureheads and decision-makers of the Arabian travel industry.

The red-carpet evening will form the second leg of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour 2019 – a global search for the finest travel and tourism brands in the world.

Following its opening last summer, Warner Bros.

World Abu Dhabi became the world’s first-ever Warner Bros branded indoor theme park, and represents another milestone in Abu Dhabi’s remarkable journey to establish itself as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations.

Located on Yas Island, the 1.65 million sq. ft. indoor theme park features six immersive lands with 29 state-of-the-art rides,

breakingtravelnews.com

interactive family-friendly attractions and unique live entertainment shows, as well as a variety of themed dining and retail outlets.

Graham Cooke, founder, World Travel Awards, said: “We are deeply honoured to host our Middle East Gala Ceremony at Warner Bros.

World Abu Dhabi, an enthralling new addition to Abu Dhabi’s incredible roster of tourist offerings.

He added: “WTA has maintained its position as the industry leader for the past 26 years, consistently proving its value as the global benchmark for acknowledging excellence in travel and tourism. I greatly look forward to welcoming the most senior decision-makers of the Arabian travel industry for what promises to be a most memorable evening at this phenomenal new attraction.”

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

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World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry.

Don Strickler, general manager, Warner Bros.

World Abu Dhabi, said: “We are delighted and honoured to welcome the prestigious World Travel Awards Middle East Gala Ceremony at Warner Bros.

World Abu Dhabi for the first time this year. The choice of our Park as host for this coveted industry event is a testament to the growing appeal of theme parks within the leisure and entertainment sector in the region. We look forward to bringing together some of the world’s leading travel industry professionals and organizations for an evening full of many successes and celebrations.”

As part of the Grand Tour 2019, World Travel Awards is also hosting ceremonies in Montego Bay (Jamaica), Mauritius, Madeira, La Paz (Bolivia) and Phu Quoc (Vietnam), with the winners progressing to the Grand Final in Muscat (Oman).

More Information Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

Each year, World Travel Awards covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognise and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.

Find out more at www.worldtravelawards.com

breakingtravelnews.com

influencers M A G A Z I N E

Influencer marketing is quickly becoming a major part of the social marketing strategies for many marketers and agencies a like. With digital marketing spend increasing every year, more and more dollars are being devoted to influencer marketing programs due to their potential for significant ROI yields with often less resources.

The value of influencer marketing is undeniable and no matter the size, resources, or sophistication, of a marketer or agency, all should be considering integrating an influencer marketing strategy into their social plans, even if their just beginning. The prospect of being able to reach consumers, inside and outside your traditional audience, in engaging ways, and through trusted voices is value that can’t be found through many if any other forms of social media marketing.

www.theinfluencersmagazine.com

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BTN investigates: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay, Vietnam Recognised by World Travel Awards as the World’s Leading Luxury Themed Resort, Breaking Travel News here takes a tour of JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay

Few names carry more cachet than Bill Bensley’s when it comes to resort design in Asia. Dubbed as the “king of exotic luxury resorts” by Time Magazine, Bensley has an impressive portfolio of hotel properties that are unconventional and theatrical with an impeccable attention to detail. His project at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay delivers enriching experiences and intuitive service that every JW Marriott guest comes to expect.

It has also continued to build on his already impressive legacy, being recognised as the World’s Leading Luxury Island Resort & Villas, World’s Leading Luxury Themed Resort, World’s Leading Resort Swimming Pool and World’s Leading Themed Hotel Bar by voters at the World Travel Awards. The trophies were presented during a red-carpet gala in Portuguese capital Lisbon.

AHIC SPECIAL EDITION APRIL 2019

Design JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay’s design narrative was developed around the concept of a mythical academy of learning, honouring French naturalist JeanBaptiste Lamarck who laid the groundwork for Darwin’s theory of evolution. Overseeing the master planning and design of the entire property, Bensley separated the enormous site into different zones,

all of them connected via the Rue de Lamarck, the main street that extends through the whole resort.

The JW Marriott Phu Quoc buildings reflect early 20th century style and embrace the traditions of French colonial architecture.

Every detail, down to the decorative elements and associates’ uniforms, have been carefully crafted and considered by Bensley to reinforce the resort’s overarching theme. The Phu Quoc Ridgeback, a

FEATURE

native dog breed, is the mascot of the hotel and design details reflecting the mascot can be seen in various areas of the property.

The 244 guestrooms, suites and villas are spread throughout different wings, giving guests the experience of being in their own dedicated section of the resort. Playing on the concept of academia, the accommodation wings are named after different academic departments.

Taking full advantage of the idyllic views, all rooms and suites are oceanfacing and include a spacious balcony with sofa seating. Guests staying on the ground level will also have their own private garden and direct access to the three swimming pools of the resort.

breakingtravelnews.com

Complementing the emerald-collared sea and the lush surrounding landscape, Bensley has picked a palate of warming reds, turquoise, blues and greens for the interiors. Customdesigned furnishings in dark timber and patterned flooring further elevate the sense of comfort and luxury in the rooms, and throughout the resort’s walkway.

Along Rue de Lamarck, traditional shophouses built to resemble the ancient streets of Hoi An highlight a unique blend of Chinese, Japanese and western architectural influences offering visitors an authentic sense of place. Visitors can stroll the street to find the most exquisite artisanal boutiques, the resort’s varied dining outlets and

one of the best spas on Phu Quoc island.

The French have long believed the therapeutic qualities of mushrooms.

Playing on this idea, the designer has created an unusual guest experience in Chanterelle – Spa by JW by incorporating references from Alice in Wonderland where mushrooms played a key role. Mushroom-shaped furnishings and handpainted walls of flora and fauna can be spotted throughout, while framed biological illustrations of mushrooms adorn the interior ceilings, adding to the fantastical and surreal quality of the space.

Bensley also took inspiration from the childhood fable for a hidden corridor, where asymmetric arches curve at mirroring angles to

create a layering effect, echoing Alice falling down the rabbit hole. To add to the authenticity of the whimsical design, Bensley’s team travelled across Europe multiple times to source over 5,000 original antiques and furniture items for the resort.

Guests can expect to discover vintage furniture, teaching paraphernalia, carpentry tools, prints and sketches showcasing the evolution of mankind and nature, as well as other hidden gems throughout the well-crafted and intuitively designed resort.

Shaped by natural beauty, pristine white sand beach and favourable weather year-round; Phu Quoc island is a hidden pearl off the beaten tourist track.

The resort is a 15-minute drive from Phu Quoc International Airport.

Villas JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay also recently launched six eye-popping new villas in renowned architect Bill Bensley’s inimitable signature style.

The 180-700 sqm villas will benefit from on call butler service, private pools and sumptuous interiors replete with bold colours, bespoke prints and characteristic curios.

So spectacular are the new villas that each – named the Department of Astronomy, Insect Study, Reptile Study, Fish Study, Mammal Study, and Ocean Study – represent their own ‘department’.

Celebrating the resort’s overarching theme, the

villas’ interiors are tailored to echo the particular academic specialism. The two one-bedroom villas and four three-bedroom villas house impressive double-height facades, and windows that make way for walls adorned with unique prints embodying the academic subjects. Every angle has been visualised to ensure each view is more distinctive than the last with an inviting flow between the rooms.

The bedrooms combine intricate woodwork with oversized beds, crisp white linen and large printed armchairs, perfect for curling up on with a good book after a day in the sun. Picture perfect bathrooms feature freestanding bathtubs

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and wrap-around vanity counters with double washbasins. High ceilings allow for the highest waterfall showers guests will have ever come across, making for an immersive rainfall experience. Each villa’s intimate walled garden and private pool area, which overlooks dense forest to the rear, boasts an inviting mosaic-lined pool and some surprising sculptures – all designed to reflect the academic specialism.

With ample space for sun loungers, and some even having access to a private massage pavilion, the outdoor spaces are ideal for relaxing, enjoying a cocktail, and making the most of the South-East Asian sunshine with

family and friends.

The six luxury villas will be joined by two more in the coming months. The vision of Lamarck University is carried throughout the resort in a brilliantly creative yet subtle way, giving the resort a truly harmonious aesthetic. Whether guests choose to stay in a villa, or one of the 244 spectacular suites, it will be an experience like no other.

Maserati Guests visiting JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay will also now be transported to the fantastical university via a Maserati automobile. “We are thrilled to be

partnering with Maserati to launch this exciting initiative. With the resort’s reputation in redefining design-centric journeys, the partnership offers guests enriched experiences and reaffirms a standard of true luxury synonymous with JW Marriott,” added Ty Collins, general manager, JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay. Maserati exudes a sophistication and style long associated with sportiness and performance. This alludes to JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay’s design narrative of a fabled sports university, which was conceptualized by renowned architect Bill Bensley. Over thousands of original antique pieces,

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JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay also recently launched six eye-popping new villas in renowned architect Bill Bensley’s inimitable signature style.

many being schoolthemed memorabilia, are dotted around the resort.

Additional touches from sports-inspired spa treatments to “lecture room” and “auditorium” function spaces also play on the theme of a university.

Visitors to the resort during this time need not be surprised at the Maserati Ghibli on full display.

More Information Five-star accommodations, luxury amenities and an unparalleled location on a pristine private beach in Phu Quoc set the stage for an unforgettable hotel experience at JW Marriott

Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa. A hidden gem situated on Vietnam’s south coast, the hotel offers oceanfront tranquillity and a playful atmosphere.

Find out more on the official website at www.marriott.com.

Rainforest spa returns to The Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi Desert The Ritz-Carlton, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert has re-launched the newly refurbished Rainforest spa, located within the hotel, on a magnificent 500 hectares nature reserve

This tranquil resort has so much to offer, from intimate dining in an unparalleled choice of al-fresco activities to a transformative spa with wellness experiences. The Rainforest is a complete hydrothermal sanctuary combining the best of European hydrothermal culture with Middle Eastern bathing rituals to create a calming haven dedicated to holistic rejuvenation.

Following a relaxing massage or facial from the spa, guests can enjoy the Rainforest which includes a trail of 16 state-of-the-art hydrothermal therapies, each designed to soothe and revitalize

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the body and soul. For optimal benefits, the Rainforest should be followed by the map.

The Rainforest includes wellness facilities such as affussion showers, aroma steam, a brine cavern, bucket drench shower, grotto steam, hammam, herbal sauna, ice igloo, rain walk, sauna, sole therapy, tropical rain shower and a vitality pool.

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert also offers a wellness retreat when guests stay for a minimum of five nights. This

detailed wellness retreat is designed to enliven your stay with an array of well-being experiences and will be shared with guests prior to arrival. The wellness retreat includes a stay in a luxurious private pool villa with your own temperature-controlled pool, walks among the morning dew, sunrise yoga, detox spa treatments, detoxifying face and décolleté treatments, seawater therapy, kneipp therapy, detoxifying ritual at The Rainforest and daily healthy meals.

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As part of this retreat, guests can also enjoy daily 60-minute interactive owl and falcon shows, gain access to the ďŹ tness centre, Oasis Pool & Bar and Ritz-Kids Club activities. Bicycles and a map to ride within the nature reserve are also provided along with unlimited highspeed Wi-Fi access and a complimentary shuttle and beach access at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach.

The Rainforest is open daily from 09:00 until 20:00. In-house guests and visitors for both The RitzCarlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi

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Desert and Al Hamra Beach can use the Rainforest facility for AED150 per person per hour, AED 250 per person for two hours or AED350 per person for three hours. Private sessions are also available for AED1,000 and children under 16 years are not permitted to use the hydrothermal facility at the Rainforest.

Set among 500 hectares of desert conservation area, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert is a secluded oasis that invites guests to reconnect with nature and culture amid the beauty of a 1,235-acre

protected preserve. Since launching as a Ritz-Carlton resort in 2017, the hotel has continued to encourage guests to learn about and connect with the land and the traditions that have long upheld it.

The property is considered the Middle East's Leading Luxury Desert Resort by voters at the World Travel Awards.

Find out more at www.ritzcarlton.com.

Rixos moves into Qatar with Katara Hospitality deal Turkey-based Rixos Hotels has signed a deal to expand its presence in the Middle East NAWAF BIN JASSIM BIN JABOR AL THANI, CHAIRMAN OF KATARA HOSPITALITY, AND FETTAH TAMINCE, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN OF THE RIXOS HOTELS, SIGN THE DEAL

Qetaifan Projects Company, a subsidiary of Katara Hospitality which was established to develop and manage Qetaifan Island North, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Rixos Hotels to manage and operate the hotels, the souq, the water park and the beach club in the destination.

The deal was signed by sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, chairman of Katara Hospitality, and Fettah Tamince, founder and chairman of the Rixos Hotels.

Qetaifan Projects was established due to the increasing demand for high quality tourism facilities and the need to develop more in this sector. It will develop and operate Qetaifan Island North to commensurate the high standards of Katara Hospitality.

On this occasion, sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, chairman of Katara Hospitality, said: “This agreement marks Rixos Hotels brand’s first property in Qatar. As we strengthen our vision to change the world of hospitality through

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investment and innovation to leave an outstanding legacy for future generations, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, we see this as testament to Qatar’s robust tourism strategy and its reputation as a key player of the country’s hospitality industry aiming to create a safe and sustainable investment that will carry the name of the State of Qatar.”

He added: “We are confident the ethos of Rixos Hotels brand is a strategic fit for our development project of

Qetaifan Island North as it is important that we have an operator which understands and respects this unique destination, ensuring it occupies its rightful position in the local and global marketplaces.”

This is the first memorandum of understanding by the Rixos Hotels chain in Qatar. The Rixos partnership with AccorHotels has added weight to the rapid growth of the Rixos Hotels on the regional and international levels.

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Tamince added: “Discovering new destinations has been always a challenging target throughout the journey of Rixos since we established the brand in 2000. We are certain that with every new destination our horizon will broaden on our way to becoming a global brand. So far, Rixos flag is waving in three continents and seven countries. We are proud of offering our services with our own brand now in Qatar, and we appreciate very much to be part of a mission for providing added value to the

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tourism of this wonderful country.”

He added: “I would like to stress that we will be driven by the same mission in Qatar through this partnership with Qetaifan Projects. We value the confidence and trust our partners have in our group and take this opportunity to expand our hospitality portfolio in this region.”

Established in 2000, the series offers five-star luxury accommodation in 25 hotels, 17 of which are operated as waterfront resorts. The hotel chain

manages more than 9,000 rooms located in 7 different countries and employs about 10,000 employees.

The Rixos Hotels chain which is considered Turkey’s Leading Hospitality Development Company by the World Travel Awards - embodies traditional Turkish hospitality and features unique health treatment clubs in the finest surroundings and luxurious ambiance.

Qetaifan Island North development is part of Lusail city with seven

beaches, making it a distinctive waterfront of the city. The island has an area of 1.3 million square meters, and the island’s projects span approximately 830 thousand square meters.

RIXOS, THE PALM, DUBAI Situated at the tip of The Palm Jumeirah’s crescent, Rixos The Palm Dubai is the UAE’s only luxury multiconcept resort. Enjoying the city’s most spectacular location, its 360° panoramic view spans the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, iconic landmarks including Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab as well as the glittering skyline of the Dubai Marina and the remarkable lagoons and architecture of The Palm Jumeirah itself. hwww.virtualworldinternet.com/portfolio/rixos-the-palm

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Hilton signs for 4-hotel project in Saudi Arabia Hilton and Shomoul Holding Company have signed a landmark agreement to develop and operate four hotels in The Avenues – Riyadh, the largest mixed-use development project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

HILTON PRESIDENT CHRIS NASSETTA, LEFT, SIGNS THE DEAL WITH MOHAMMED ALSHAYA

The development will include one of the world’s largest malls, with a leasable area of approximately 400,000sqm housing more than 1,300 stores.

The $3.4 billion project will also include five multi-purpose towers consisting of hotels, exhibition, conference halls, residential apartments, offices and medical facilities. The Avenues – Riyadh is located at the entry point of the capital city, overlooking the intersection between King Salman and King Fahad

Roads, and just a few minutes away from King Khalid International Airport. When completed in 2023, the project will be a beautiful architectural landmark in Riyadh, embodying the success of The Avenues – Kuwait, with its multiple districts and unique design.

This mega project, with its different stages from construction to opening and operation, will create approximately 40,000 job opportunities. The development will feature a mix of luxury retail, high street brands, in addition

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to traditional stores that are modelled on a traditional Riyadh Souk in respect to the region’s traditional retail architecture. The design reflects Riyadh’s contemporary lifestyle and culture, offering a diversity of districts, each designed in a different theme in harmony.

Hilton will operate four of its industry-leading brands at The Avenues – Riyadh, including a 350room Waldorf Astoria, a 400-room Conrad – both offering Hilton’s unique luxury experiences - a

500-room Hilton Garden Inn, and a 150-room Canopy by Hilton – the first of Hilton’s lifestyle Canopy brand in the Middle East.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mohammed Alshaya, chairman of Shomoul and Mabanee, said: “I am very proud to once again partner with Hilton at another of our ground-breaking Avenues projects in the region. The Avenues – Riyadh is a signature development offering a unique and ultimate lifestyle destination in the region,

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and will be the largest in our expansion portfolio.

We believe that having four of Hilton’s worldclass brands as part of the towers will create an incredible destination for shoppers and travellers across the region and from around the world in Riyadh.”

The announcement reinforces a growing partnership with Hilton, which already includes two hotels within the new expansion of The Avenues – Kuwait, namely the five-star Waldorf Astoria and the

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four-star Hilton Garden Inn, in addition to the Hilton Garden Inn in The Avenues – Bahrain.

“The Avenues – Riyadh is an incredible opportunity for Hilton to bring four of our industry-leading brands to one development project for the very first time. I am especially proud that we are signing this unique project in our 100th year – our most dynamic year yet,” said Chris Nassetta, president of Hilton.

“Mohammed Alshaya and his team have been fantastic partners in this

project, and we look forward to doing our part to contribute to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s vision for tourism.”

In accordance with the Saudi Arabian government’s Vision 2030, The AvenuesRiyadh will promote and support increased tourism into the kingdom, which currently accounts for some 9.4 per cent of GDP and is expected to rise by almost five per cent per annum for at least the next ten years.

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Dubai prepares for global spotlight as Expo 2020 nears Some 190 countries have confirmed their participation in Expo 2020 Dubai, with the event also welcoming contributions from corporations and multinational organisations. Here Breaking Travel News finds out morE Plans for an exceptional World Expo are advancing rapidly, with developments being seen daily across key areas relating to content and programming, country pavilion designs , commercial partnerships, construction and legacy impact. With just over a year and a half to go, the event is really starting to take shape.

Organisers also recently announced 11 premier partners, five official partners and two official providers. These partnerships will play a vital role in delivering a successful Expo 2020 Dubai and supporting its legacy.

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The site itself is fast taking shape, with construction well advanced in the three thematic districts – ‘Opportunity’, ‘Mobility’ and ‘Sustainability’. More than 56 million work hours have been completed and construction is on track for all Expo-built

FEATURE

structures to be complete a year before the gates open.

Expo 2020 Dubai will host the world for 173 days, each one brimming with new experiences. Organisers hope it will be a time to create, collaborate and innovate. We are talking eye-catching, mind-bending, taste budtickling, grin-inducing, good-weird, did-that-really-justhappen fun.

Expo 2020 also continues to work towards its socioeconomic impact. Officials continue to provide business of all sizes with economic opportunities and have registered more than 25,000 suppliers from 149 countries to do business with Expo 2020.

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The theme of the event, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, is exempliďŹ ed through the global innovation partnership programme Expo Live, which allocates funds to projects that offer creative solutions to pressing challenges faced globally.

The event is also committed to inspiring and empowering youth. The Expo School Programme is activating several initiatives to engage the younger generation through interactions with schools and educators across the United Arab Emirates.

Trade From a trade perspective, Expo 2020 Dubai will be a valuable business opportunity for tour operators to offer a once-in-a-lifetime visitor experience. During the six months of the event, Expo 2020 will be the destination to visit within Dubai and tour operators will be able to purchase and bundle Expo into packages.

As the emirate gets ready to welcome millions of visitors, organisers are constantly looking to work with travel agents and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) companies that can promote Expo 2020 by selling tickets with value-added travel and visitor services.

The brand-new Dubai Exhibition Centre is pivotal to this ambition. Located on the doorstep of the world’s largest meeting of minds, the DEC will provide guests with access to a truly global stage. This is not only a place to host events; it is also a venue for delegates to connect and network with Expo 2020’s 200 participants, including nations, multilateral organisations, businesses and educational institutions from around the world.

From a trade perspective, Expo 2020 Dubai will be a valuable business opportunity for tour operators to offer a once-in-a-lifetime visitor experience.

Expo 2020 will be the destination to visit within Dubai and tour operators will be able to purchase and bundle Expo into packages.

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FEATURE

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Expo 2020 Highlights For six months, Expo 2020 will be the biggest live event on earth. With 60 events a day, for 173 consecutive days, there will be something for every taste, including live performances, street shows, digital theatre, workshops and cultural and special festivities. An extensive offering of 200 food and beverage outlets will share dishes and flavours from every corner of the world.

World-class architecture and design elements will be on show - include the world’s biggest 360-degree projection surface on Al Wasl Plaza’s steel dome and the all-natural materials that are being used to construct the Opportunity Pavilion. A rotating observation tower will provide visitors with a bird’s eye view of the Expo site, while the Dubai Exhibition Centre will encompass a 17,000sqm conference complex featuring multipurpose exhibition halls, an auditorium and events spaces. The Expo site will also be home to large-scale venue spaces and parks serving as meeting points and facilitating outdoor celebrations.

Visitors will be able to venture through immersive country pavilions, enjoy cultural experiences and discover what makes each participating nation unique.

The UAE Pavilion, designed in the shape of a falcon in flight, is expected to be a major attraction. It will tell the history of the nation as a connected global hub, and the vision of its leaders to create a peaceful and progressive society with ambitions for the future.

More Information As preparations for Dubai 2020 reach the final straight, find out more on the official website at www.expo2020dubai.com.

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FEATURE

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Milliennium Hotel & Resorts East and Africa portfolio w Breaking Travel News interviews Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi, President, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Middle East & Africa.

Breaking Travel News: Ahead of the annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, can you describe the mood among hoteliers in the Middle East in early 2019?

Ali Hamad Lakhraim Alzaabi: Middle East region provides significant opportunities for hoteliers to satisfy the increasing demand for quality and value services especially with the anticipated growth in visitor numbers prompted by an ease in visa regulations in the gulf countries. Hospitality sector in the region continues to mature from its existing provision of luxury, branded hotels and owner-operated accommodation, the need for more upscale and midscale developments reaching international standards is expected to increase to meet the demands of a wider spectrum of visitors.

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More lifestyle and midscale segment properties have begun entering the market with new concepts of innovative accommodation solutions offering community spaces that increase guests’ interactions. Health and wellness are playing increasingly bigger role today, where hospitality must amend its offering to adapt to this trend. F&B element and concepts are to be revisited to meet the guests’ changing needs as well as spa and gym business approach to offer distinctive wellness programs for the guests.

Millennium Hotels & Resorts has firmly established itself as one of the fastest growing hotel management companies in the region and we have envisioned a great potential in the hospitality industry that inspired us to introduce an array of

distinct brands to the region, serving different market segments over the last twenty years and we are proud that Millennium Hotels & Resorts continues to play a significant role in the growth of Middle East hospitality sector.

BTN: Which markets is Millennium Hotels & Resorts most excited about this year? Where can we expect to see new properties from the brand?

AHLA: We are excited to add 14 new hotels to our portfolio in 2019 where we will be operating more than 50 hotels, growing from 26 properties in 2016 which position us as the fastest growing hotel operator in the region.

The 14 new hotels and the existing portfolio of 40 hotels in the Middle East and Africa region will help grow tourism demand in the GCC including

INTERVIEW

s expands its Middle ith 14 new in 2019

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UAE – who will be hosting the World Expo 2020 and is expected to receive 25 million visitors in six months.

Our fast-developing hotel portfolio is geared to support the vision of the UAE government. This year, we will add 14 hotels in addition to 35 new hotels that are in the pipeline. In order to bring variety to the market and to offer customized hospitality offerings, we have introduced two contemporary products – Studio M and Millennium Place – to suit the varied budgets of our valued customers.

BTN: Millennium Hotels & Resorts recently launched a new loyalty programme – My Millennium. How has that been received by guests?

AHLA: My Millennium is our way of rewarding our guest every time he stays with us, anywhere in the world. As a member, he will get to enjoy rewards that will help him make the most of each moment.

Millennium Place will be known as the happier hotel brand in the Middle East introducing “Find Your Happy Place” promise and will consistently strive to deliver a smile to its guests through different touch points in the guest’s and associates’ journey.

The new MyMillennium Loyalty program will be introducing for the first time-ever a series of new exciting benefits to existing and new members. The new benefits will enable members to redeem more than 100 rewards, from room upgrades and hotel nights to shopping experiences with brands such as Apple, M&S, Macy’s and immediate discounts at Spotify, Uber, Netflix and much more.

Studio M is a 3-star lifestyle concept, offering savvy travelers, chic design and contemporary functionality as well as a personal sanctuary of urban living for those that appreciate the work-life balance.

BTN: Millennium for Business has also been launched around the world in bid to welcome more small- and medium-sized enterprises to the company. What can you tell me about that?

Millennium Hotels and Resorts Middle East & Africa is also proud to partner with Chelsea Football Club as its official hotel partner.

AHLA: Millennium for Business is a dynamic and powerful booking management tool that promises profitable and tailored rewards for both bookers and guests. It

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offers exclusive rewards and rates and member discounts across all of our hotels worldwide. All registered companies have the ability to apply to set up a business account using a cobranded credit card, use a dynamic booking system that allows for flexible, rewarding and efficient booking management.

The program allows members also to profit from their business travel and earn cash back on every booking made and every booking stayed and enjoy guaranteed lowest rate at more than 130 hotels worldwide and other benefits.

BTN: Ctrip.com recently signed a distribution partnership with Millennium Hotels & Resorts focused on outbound tourism from the rapidly growing Chinese market. How important do you expect that to be for the company?

AHLA: Ctrip.com, the number one platform for Chinese nationals travelling overseas, signed agreement with Millennium Hotels and Resorts to develop a global distribution strategy promoting MHR properties to Ctrip’s 300 million strong customer base and this marks the start of an alliance enabling Ctrip to offer MHR’s iconic portfolio of hotels in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and

Australasia to its Chinabased business and leisure travel clients.

Through this strategic agreement, Ctrip’s membership program will certify our properties as “Chinese Friendly Hotels” and enable us to benefit from Ctrip’s influential ranking system.

Millennium Hotels & Resorts and Ctrip will also work towards customer initiatives such as the launching of a flagship store on Ctrip’s digital platforms, joint marketing campaigns as well as knowledge sharing and cross exposure programmes for team members.

Joining forces with Ctrip will raise the profile of our hotel offering in the large and fast-growing China travel market. Asia is our second biggest region of operations and we already have a deep and embedded experience of what it takes to meet the high demands of business and leisure travelers from China. With hotels located in some of the world’s most attractive destinations, we look forward to welcoming more of Ctrip’s customers in the coming year.

INTERVIEW

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The RiTz-CaRlTon Ras al Khaimah, al hamRa BeaCh Edging the Arabian Gulf, The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach offers sumptuous seclusion along shimmering azure waters and pristine white sands. Privacy is assured in luxury beachfront pool villas, appointed with 5-star hotel amenities. Distinctive dining and ocean-inspired wellness experiences further enhance this breathtaking coastal haven, where fresh discoveries become lifelong memories. www.virtualworldinternet.com/portfolio/the-ritz-carlton-ras-alkhaimah-al-hamra-beach

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