Hotel sector gets new award; Best Hotel Staff Accommodation

Accordingly to AHIC co-organiser, Jonathan Worsley, the initiative is the result of a 50-strong advisory panel call to acknowledge and recognize the value and effort that hotel operators and developers put into looking after their staff in the region's burgeoning hospitality sector.

"According to a survey by research company Proleads, the UAE will see the completion of 22 hotels in 2009 and 13 hotels in 2010, so we felt that the spotlight should focus on accommodation standards of the region's hotels and not only that of the guest's experience," explained Worsley.

The award scheme also has two other categories; Best New Hotel and Best Hotel Innovation awards. They will all be presented at a lunchtime event on the final day of the conference, May 4, at the Madinat Jumeirah Conference Centre, Dubai.

Worsley said that nominations for the three Awards have been short listed to the top three in each category by a judging panel comprising of leaders from the hospitality industry. "With these awards, we hope to encourage and applaud projects that are trying to stay at the top of the game in making the Middle East a leading business and leisure destination."

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

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, Siemens, 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.