Three tourism ministers to debate Islands destination marketing

Three tourism ministers - the Hon Samia Hassan from Zanzibar, the Hon Noel Lynch from Barbados and Dr Mahmood Shaugee from the Maldives - will take to the stage to debate issues of island marketing. Robert Riley, the new CEO of Armani Hotels & Resorts, will moderate the panel discussion, and they will be joined by Hamza Mustafa, general manager of Nakheel's Dubai island development, The World.

The Maldives will be highlighted as a case study, differentiating between the mass market and high-end approach to development. The Hon Michael Misick, chief minister from the Turks and Caicos Islands, will speak on the challenges of establishing a name and a brand within the umbrella branding of the Caribbean.

According to organiser Jonathan Worsley, the interesting issue to be raised on this session will be why investors should invest in The Maldives, Barbados, Turks & Caicos or The World. There will be lessons for regional destinations to be learnt, particularly in distinguishing brands that are essentially offering a similar product.

He said:

"To many travellers from overseas, the Middle East is the big brand, the Gulf might be a product but individual destinations such as Bahrain, Qatar, Ras Al Khaimah, Muscat or Salalah need to be clearly defined to woo and capture the right audience."

The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference will run from April 29 - May 1, 2006 at Dubai's Madinat Jumeirah conference centre. The conference is organised by Jonathan Worsley, Managing Director of International Hospitality Services and MEED Conferences.

Platinum sponsors at the 2006 event are: GuestInvest; Kingdom Hotel Investments; Nakheel Hotels & Resorts and Rezidor SAS Hospitality.

Gold sponsors are: Accor; ALDhiyafa Holdings Company; Arabian Travel Market; Armani Hotels & Resorts; Cendant Vacation Network Group; Deloitte; Emirates; Euro RSCG Furness; Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Government of Tanzania; Group 32 Snow Dome; Gulf Air; Hamilton Hotel Partners; Hilton International; HVS International; IFA Hotels & Resorts; Integra TV; InterContinental Hotels & Resorts; Interval International; Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; Jumeirah; Kempinski; Marriott International; Morgan Stanley; Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts; OBM International; Port Ghalib Egypt; Rotana Hotels; RSP Group; Shaza Hotels; Sidley Austin; Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide; TRI Hospitality Consulting Middle East, Turks & Caicos and UG Recker.

Media sponsors are: AME Info, CNBC Arabia, Global Hospitality Resources, Hotelier Middle East; 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.

The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference will run from April 29 - May 1, 2006 on the eve of Arabian Travel Market. The conference is organised by Jonathan Worsley, Managing Director of International Hospitality Services and MEED, the Middle East business information group.