Financing in focus at fifth Arabian Hotel Investment Conference

Banking experts representing banks from the region, and international markets, are set to address issues such as what is a lending 'sweet spot' and looks at size, location, brand, borrower and return on capital as possible criteria that may influence approval. They will also discuss how lenders can better structure deals.

Worsley said that continued liquidity to finance investment is crucial to development of the hospitality sector as he noted that the abundance of local funds played an instrumental role in the surge in hotel developments in recent years.

"The region has always had its peculiarities in terms of hotel ownership and the type of finance available, and at a time of change, this key topic is of vital importance," he said.

The session (May 4), 'Why aren't the banks lending and how to structure a successful deal to get the money', features Robert Garden, Regional Managing Director, Royal Bank of Scotland; Rod Taylor, Head of Hospitality and Tourism, Europe Arab Bank; Wahid Attalla, CEO Spectrum Consultants; Elias Hayek, Vice President Legal, EAME Division of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and moderator John Podaras, Associate Director, TRI Hospitality Consulting.

The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference will run from May 2-4, 2009 at Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah Convention Centre and is jointly organised by The Bench and MEED.

The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference is organised by Bench Events and MEED Events.

Platinum sponsors

Ministry of Brazil, Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), Sovereign Hospitality Holdings, The Rezidor Hotel Group and Wyndham Worldwide.

Emerald sponsors

Accor Hospitality, The Address Hotels and Resorts, ESPA International UK, Hilton Hotels, InterContinental Hotels Group, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Jumeirah Group

Gold sponsors

Aldar Hotels & Hospitality, Almulla Hospitality, Arabian Travel Market, Corinthia Hotels, Davis Langdon, Deloitte, Fairmont Raffles Hotels International , Golden Tulip MENA, Hamilton Hotel Partners, Hodema, Horwath HTL, HVS, IBAHN, Jebel Ali International Hotels, King Sturge, Langham Hotels International, Layia Hospitality, Molinaro Koger, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, OBM International, Rotana, Shaza Hotels, Siemans, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc, Strategic Solutions, Taj Hotel Resorts & Palaces, THR, TRI Hospitality Consulting, Vision Overseas Holdings, WATG.

Best Hotel Staff Accommodation Award Sponsor

Gulf Housing Solutions

Media partners

ATM, BTN, Destinations of the World News, Hospitality News Magazine, Hospitality-Interiors.com, Hospitality.net.org, Hotelier Middle East, HotelNewsNow.com, Hotel Analyst, Hotelier Middle East, Institutional Investor, Sleeper, The Times Middle East and TTN.

International Broadcast Partner

CNN

Official Arabic Speaking Broadcaster

CNBC

Official Online Media Sponsor

AME Info

Supporters

Bang & Olufson, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Dubai Convention Bureau, The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, IH&RA, International Tourism Partnership (ITP), Villeroy & Boch, WTTC.