AHIC Returns to Ras Al Khaimah for the 15th Edition of the Annual Gathering of the Middle East Hospitality Investment Co

AHIC, the annual knowledge and networking platform for the hotel investment community, will return to Ras Al Khaimah for AHIC 2019, which will take place from 9-11 April 2019 at an all new purpose-built AHIC Village in the grounds of the Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah, in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA).

The 2019 programme, themed ‘Synchronised for Success’, is being developed following the AHIC Advisory Board, held at The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai, at which more than 40 of the Middle East’s leading hotel owners, developers, operators and consultants gathered to discuss the main issues and opportunities that drive the hotel investment industry in the Middle East.

The Advisory Board revealed shared sentiment about the importance of creating harmony amongst hotel investment stakeholders, the need discuss the shift in hotel operating models the industry is witnessing, the desire for insights from other business sectors in terms of disruption, and the opportunity to explore the impact and opportunity of new technologies and sustainable design & development – all topics that will be featured in the AHIC 2019 programme.

Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said:” We are delighted to be hosting AHIC in Ras Al Khaimah for the second year following last year’s phenomenal success. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, we look forward to welcoming the region's most senior hotel investors, developers, operators and world-class speakers to share insights, exchange knowledge and opportunities that will drive the tourism and hospitality sector forward. AHIC will serve as a great platform for us to showcase Ras Al Khaimah’s new Destination Strategy as we aim to attract 3 million visitors by 2025”.

Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events and Founder of AHIC, said: “We were incredibly pleased to have more than 40 of our Advisory Board members attend this year’s meeting, which is such an important part of the programming for AHIC. It was also great to see the enthusiasm and anticipation for our return to Ras Al Khaimah in 2019 following the success of this year’s event with our partners at Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.”

John Emmerson, Director of Events, MEED, said: “We are super excited to be back in Ras Al Khaimah for AHIC 2019. The AHIC Village was a great success this year and, as event organizers, Ras Al Khaimah as a destination gave us fantastic opportunities to enrich the AHIC experience for our delegates. From the world’s longest zipline and gym sessions on the beach to dinner in the desert and a closing keynote by the world’s greatest living explorer, we were able to create an environment for our delegates to fully focus on connecting, learning and doing business.” He added: “We look forward to even more exhilarating experiences for our delegates at AHIC 2019, one of which will be a supercar driving experience through our partner ES Unique Mobility Services.

To read the AHIC 2018 post-event report, click here. For registrations and for more information about AHIC 2019, please visit: www.arabianconference.com

About AHIC 2019

AHIC, now in its 15th year, is the annual gathering for the Middle East’s hospitality investment community organised by global hotel investment event organiser Bench Events in partnership with MEED Events. AHIC creates a knowledge and networking platform for global and regional investors of all backgrounds, offering essential insights to investing in hotels, showcasing regional and international hospitality investment opportunities and facilitating direct connections with hospitality industry stakeholders. After last year’s success, AHIC 2019 will be back in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, from 9 April to 11 April 2019 in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA). Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, AHIC 2019 will be co-hosted by its founding patron, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, whose continued support of the industry and AHIC has been critical to the region’s tourism growth.

AHIC 2019 Sponsors

AHIC 2018 is hosted by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. Sponsors include Al Marjan Island, Choice Hotels and Radisson Hotel Group as Platinum Sponsors, Accor Hotels and Dur Hospitality Company as Emerald Sponsors, Alkamal International, Insignia, Louvre Hotels Group, Melia Hotels International, SSH, STR and Taj as Gold Sponsors and ES Unique Mobility Services as Supercar Rental & Tours Partner.

About Bench Events

Global event organiser Bench Events has a long track record of delivering multiple premium hotel investment conferences and forums across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America. Market leading annual conferences include the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Dubai, now in its 15th year, the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) the new Asia Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (AHTIC), The Summit in London and the Latin American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conferences (SAHIC). Bench Events’ extensive portfolio also includes the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) in Dubai and AviaDev, designed to promote the future air connectivity in Africa. Bench Events’ mission is enabling prosperity by facilitating growth, networking, and thought leadership in the hospitality industry worldwide. www.benchevents.com

About MEED

MEED is a remarkable senior management media brand, that encompasses subscription to the MEED Business Review publication and website, www.meed.com, as well as organising the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, AHIC and Innovation Live! MEED also works with clients on bespoke content, events, broadcast and digital offerings.  MEED also has two high-value content businesses, MEED Projects and MEED Insight. MEED Projects is the Middle East's premium project tracking database and MEED Insight offers tailored research and in-depth analysis. Established in 1957, MEED, has been integral to delivering business information and news, intelligence and analysis on the Middle East economies and activities ever since.  www.meed.com

About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA)

The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. In order to achieve target growth of one million visitors by the end of 2018, the authority aims to develop the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the RAKTDA has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry.