Financing in focus at major hotel investment conference

Speakers including Bernard Mouchbahani, managing director of Beirut-based ProFinance, Istithmar's chief investment officer David Jackson, and Husam Hourani, a partner at Al Tamimi & Company in Dubai, will join moderator Thierry Loue, partner at the RSP Group.

The panel will address topics such as Islamic financing and its impact in the region, as well as discussing the major players in this specialist financial sector.

According to conference organiser, Jonathan Worsley, the liquidity of financial investment is key to development of the hospitality sector through the Arab world, and the transfer of local funds in to the market has in part fuelled the spectacular growth in hotel numbers in recent years.

"The Middle East 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 to all delegates to the Arab Hotel Investment Conference," he said.

"How Islamic financing may develop, and who is likely to invest in the market are just two of the topics that are likely to top the agenda, and the answers will be of interest to everyone with a stake in the Middle East hotel industry."

A curtain raiser to the Arabian Travel Market, the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference at Madinat Jumeirah conference centre in Dubai is organised by CB Richard Ellis Hotels, the largest commercial real estate firm in the world, and MEED Conferences.

The advisory panel includes among others: Sarmad Zok, CEO Kingdom Hotel Investments; Salem bin Dasmal, CEO of Dubailand; Gerald Lawless, managing director of Jumeirah International; James Wilson, president of IFA Hotels and Resorts; Wahid Attala, executive director of Nakheel; Jurgen Baumhoff, CEO of Qatar National Hotels; Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president of World Travel & Tourism Council; and regional directors from international hotel groups InterContinental, Marriott, Movenpick, Rezidor SAS and Rotana.

Already signed up as platinum sponsors are: IFA Hotels and Resorts; Nakheel Company LLC; Kingdom Hotel Investments and Rezidor SAS Hospitality.

Gold sponsors are: Arabian Travel Market; Deloitte; Dubai Festival City; Emirates Airline, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Gullivers Travel Associates; HVS International; Interval International; Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; Jumeirah International; InterContinental Hotels Group; Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts; M. A. Kharafi Group; Marriott International; Movenpick Hotels & Resorts; RCI Middle East; Octopus Travel; RSP Group; Starwood Hotels & Resorts and Strategic Solutions.

Media sponsors are: AME Info, CNBC Arabia, CNBC Europe, Global Hospitality Resources, HOTELS, Sleeper and TTN.

Supporters are: Dubai Convention Bureau, Emirates Academy of Hospitality; International Hotel & Restaurant Association; International Business Leaders Forum, Villeroy & Boch; the World Travel & Tourism Council and WOW Travels.