Fourth Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2008 opens today

According to conference organiser, Jonathan Worsley, delegate registration is set to break the 1,000 barrier mark, up 100% in four years. "We believe the surge in attendance stands as a sign of AHIC's acceptance as the region's premier event for the hospitality investment sector."

He said that the three-day hotel investment forum, (May 3 - 5 2008), will again see the 'who's who' of the global industry thrash out the hot topics that are driving the region's bullish sector.

AHIC 2008 will devote the key opening session, (today, Saturday May 3 2008), to the potential opportunities to the burgeoning hotel investment market in India. This session will feature topics such as market trends, industry overviews, investment and growth opportunities and business development challenges.

According to Worsley, the two regions - India and the Gulf States - share many characteristics in the development of their hospitality sector. The agenda for the 2008 conference will cover topics such as the environment and sustainability, pipeline dynamics, new destinations, staffing, fractional ownership, Abu Dhabi's proposed tourism positioning, Sharia-compliant hotels and design issues.

AHIC 2008 attracts investors, developers, operators, financiers, consultants, architects and design specialists, further confirming the dynamism of the regional hotel industry.

Platinum sponsors of the 2008 event include: Bawadi, IFA Hotels & Resorts, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Ministry of Brazil, Nakheel Hotels and The Rezidor Hotel Group.

Gold Sponsors include Abu Dhabi Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), Accor SA ME, Aldar Hotels & Hospitality, Almulla Holding LLC, Arabian Travel Market, Breaking Travel News, Christie + Co, Cushman & Wakefield Hotels, Davis Langdon LLP, DLA Piper, DLF Hotels, Emaar Hospitality Group, Emirates Airline, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International Inc, Godwin Austen Johnson, Golden Tulip MENA Region, Group RCI, GuestInvest, Hamilton Hotel Partners, Heller Ehrman, Hilton Hotels, Horwath HTL, HVS, iBAHN, InterContinental Hotels Group, Interval International, Jumana - Secret of the Desert, Jumeirah, Kempinski Hotels, Langham Hotels International Limited, Layia Hospitality, Marriott International, Molinaro Koger, Morgan Stanley, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Mozambique Tourism Anchor Investment Program, Northcourse Real Estate Leisure Solutions, OBM International, Rakeen, Rotana, Shaza Hotels, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Strategic Solutions, Taj Hotel Resorts & Palaces, Tiara Hotels & Resorts, TDO - Tourism Development Organisation (MENA), TRI Hospitality Consulting, Turks & Caicos Islands, Vision Hospitality Asset Management, WATG, West LB and Wyndham Hotel Group International.

Media sponsors include AME Info, ATM, Breaking Travel News, CNBC Arabia, CNN, Destinations of the World, HOTELS, Hospitality News Magazine, Luxury Hotelier, Sleeper and TTN.

Supporters: Dubai Convention Bureau, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, IBLF, IH&RA, Native Energy, Villeroy & Boch, WTTC.