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Sheikh Sultan was confirmed as the winner by the AHIC Advisory Board, which comprises over 40 of the most influential names in the Middle East hospitality industry, in recognition of his vital role in developing Abu Dhabi as one of the region's leading tourism and cultural destinations.
As Chairman of ADTA, since 2004, Sheikh Sultan leads the organisation in managing and helping to develop and promote the emirate's tourism industry. He has spearheaded the development of ADTA over the past five years into an international award-winning organisation which was named 'Best Tourist Board' in the 2009 World Travel Awards.
His ADTA tenure has seen Abu Dhabi develop into a destination which has grown from the receipt of 960,000 hotel guests in 2004 to 1.54 million last year and to being recommended by Lonely Planet and Frommer's as one of their Top Ten recommended destinations to visit in 2010.
In his role as TDIC Chairman, Sheikh Sultan has overseen the development of a number of flagship hotel properties, both TDIC-owned and other joint venture projects including the Shangri-la Qary'at Al Beri, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara and The Desert Islands Resort & Spa managed by Anantara.
Sheikh Sultan is also Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage; Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company; Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort; and most recently, the Eastern Region Development Committee.
"This recognition really belongs to the tourism industry of Abu Dhabi which works with a collaborative approach towards achieving our aims. It has particular value to us coming, as it does, from leading stakeholders in the hospitality sector,"
Sheikh Sultan said
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events which co-organises AHIC commented, "The outlook is very exciting for the emirate's tourism plans, and Sheikh Sultan's continuing achievements in driving these forward are outstanding. The ongoing investment in the hotel industry and the development of the Abu Dhabi brand has meant that the emirate's global recognition as a tourism destination rose significantly in 2009, and this momentum will be maintained in 2010. For these reasons, Sheikh Sultan was a clear choice for the AHIC 2010 Leadership Award."
The award acknowledges the achievements and contributions of leaders of the hospitality, leisure and tourism industries within the region. With its industry awards, conference and receptions, AHIC annually attracts over 600 industry leaders from over the 40 countries, including many of the most influential names within Middle East's hotel investment community as both speakers and attendees. Previous awardees include HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai and HRH Prince Al Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, CEO of Saudi Arabia's Kingdom Holding Company.
The exclusive AHIC Advisory Board is made up of over 40 hotel stakeholders, key investors and governmental representatives from across the Middle East and Africa, including industry-leaders such as Wael Al Lawati, CEO, Oman Tourist Development Company; Paul Bell, Managing Director, Aldar Hotels and Hospitality; Dr. Salah Albukayyet, Vice President - Investment, Saudi Commission For Tourism & Antiquities; Omar Benanni, CEO, Morocco Tourist National Development; Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman, Jumeirah Group; Marc Dardenne, CEO, Emaar Hospitality Group & Emaar Hotels and Resorts and Michael Scully, Managing Director, Seven Tides Hospitality, to name but a few.
Posted by Rana Mesbah
