Arabian & African Hospitality
Investment Conference
20-22 September 2021 | Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, U.A.E
20-22 September 2021 | Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, U.A.E
To navigate this new era shaped by the Great Reset, we are bringing together the active and close-knit communities of the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC), Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC), Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF).
Under the new banner of the Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC), these communities will bring a larger group of investors, and leading stakeholders, creating a robust buyer and seller platform with more opportunities under one roof. With their presence, we can have the much-needed conversations to rise from this pandemic together, enhancing the value of market insights, networking, time spent, and the potential of partnerships and opportunities.
We're almost ready to come out from behind the webcam to bump elbows with the hospitality investment community – and it all happens this summer at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.
View the AHIC 2021 event brochure and get a glimpse into the productive and engaging three days at AHIC, where you will gain crucial market insights and return to what we've all been missing the most: doing business live & in-person again.
As we prepare for one of the most significant editions of AHIC, we are looking forward to catching up with our advisory board members at the annual advisory board meeting on 17 May 2021, hosted by The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai.
Representing the hospitality investment community's elite in the Middle East & Africa region, the members will share their insights and experiences, helping shape the topics and themes of utmost importance for the industry to rise together at AHIC in September.
The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC) is a Hotelschool The Hague initiative that aims to enhance the evolution of sustainable hospitality. Launched 6 years ago as the ‘Genio Worldwide Innovation Summit’, the challenge has now moved to a new direction embracing sustainability as the recurring theme.
The semi-finals took place virtually in March where 17 teams presented their investor decks to a prominent jury of senior industry leaders and hospitality CEOs. Six teams triumphed and have progressed to the final, which will take live in-person at the AHIC in September.
To navigate the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, we developed and launched AHIC Insights last year, a region-focused intelligence centre built exclusively for the AHIC community, powered by Global Data. The platform features invaluable industry news, trends, reports and projects data; all curated for the hotel investment community through the lens of GCC hospitality and tourism. These insights are trusted, actionable, and forward-looking, which can help you predict future trends and avoid blind spots. Access to AHIC Insights is exclusive to 2021 sponsors and attendees.
Today, Jumeirah is a Dubai national champion and an acclaimed luxury hospitality leader — operating 24 Jumeirah branded properties (6,747 keys) in eight countries, and employing more than 13,500 colleagues across 140 nationalities. As exemplified through its flagship hotel, and global icon, Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah has transformed the way that luxury is defined.
In 2018, Jumeirah entered a phase of accelerated growth under the leadership of its new CEO, José Silva. We have seen unparalleled success in Dubai and regionally, and will build upon this expertise as it expands internationally. In terms of strategy, Jumeirah Group will continue to own properties and grow through acquisition, as well as hotel management agreements. Both new and existing markets have been identified for expansion across Middle East, Europe and Asia with the vision to take the brand global — with each property clearly stamped with the Jumeirah signature, to make a strong statement within the industry.
Dining – elevating the experience
Jumeirah’s strategic positioning puts Food & Beverage as a core brand pillar and its strongest differentiator. No other hotel in Dubai can compete with Jumeirah for properties or rich dining experiences, and new restaurant concepts will be central to our international development strategy. With the recent appointment of, renowned epicure, Micheal Ellis as Chief Culinary Officer, Jumeirah will drive creativity and reinvigorate its dining concepts and gastronomic experiences across its portfolio.
Service – beyond expectations
Placing the guest at the centre of all we do is a top priority. A current focus is to elevate the already exceptional standards, which are at the heart of Jumeirah. We are committed to continuous improvement and ensuring that the Jumeirah name is synonymous with great service, high quality and exhilarating experiences. With a renewed determination to lead luxury hospitality, Jumeirah has recommitted to deliver personalised guest experiences by offering service that goes beyond expectations.
Product, Architecture and Design — unmatched and redefined
Jumeirah serves understated luxury in spaces designed to make every stay truly unforgettable. Our hotels set new standards within the industry by creating environments that stir emotion; in our restaurants, spas, guest rooms and lobbies, you will find harmonious spaces, signature landscapes, and iconic architecture inspired by the iconic Burj Al Arab. Travel experiences are enhanced for Jumeirah guests, through warm hospitality, luxurious atmospheres and a sense of calm that each Jumeirah hotel evokes.
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Accor is a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in more than 5000 hotels and residences across 110 destinations. The Group has been acquiring hospitality expertise for more than 50 years, resulting in an unrivaled portfolio of 39 hotel brands, from luxury to economy. The Group also offers digital solutions that maximize distribution, optimize hotel operations and enhance the customer experience.
With ALL - Accor Live Limitless, the new daily lifestyle companion, the relationship between the Group and his clients, members and partners evolves from transactional to emotional, and unlocks the potential to live, work, and play. Beyond accommodation, ALL enables new ways to live, work, and play, by blending food and beverage with nightlife, wellbeing, and co-working.
Accor is deeply committed to sustainable value creation and plays an active role in giving back to planet and community via its Planet 21 – Acting Here program and the Accor Solidarity endowment fund, which gives disadvantaged groups access to employment through professional training.
Accor SA is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACRFY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com Or become a fan and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 17 world-class brands comprising nearly 6,000 properties with more than 954,000 rooms, in 117 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company, Hilton earned a spot on the 2019 World’s Best Workplaces list, and has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its 100-year history. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, nearly 99 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy, plus enjoy instant benefits, including digital check-in with room selection, Digital Key, and Connected Room. Visit newsroom.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
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Emaar Hospitality Group LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, the Dubai-based global property developer, and manages Emaar’s hospitality and leisure projects globally, since the groups inception in 2007.
Defining its proficiencies in operating mixed-use property developments, Emaar Hospitality Group established their reputation managing a diversified portfolio of assets including hotels, serviced residences, golf clubs, a polo club, yacht club and lifestyle dining restaurants.
Flagship brands owned and managed within their ever growing portfolio include; Address Hotels + Resorts, a premium luxury hotel and residences brand; Vida Hotels and Resorts, an upscale lifestyle hotel and residences brand; and Rove Hotels, a contemporary midscale brand a joint venture of Emaar Properties with Meraas.
Emaar Hospitality Group continued growth strategy see the brand expand its portfolio into international markets with projects already announced in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt and Turkey. With long terms plans further afield, which see the group’s ambition to see their brands in key gateway cities and tourist destinations within Europe, Middle East, India and China.
Marriott International encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,900 properties spanning 130 countries and territories. The company’s 30 leading brands include: Bulgari®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute PortfolioTM, Design HotelsTM, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy® Hotels, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company now offers one travel program, Marriott BonvoyTM , replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®.
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Millennium Hotels & Resorts plc is a dynamic, global hotel company, which owns, asset manages and/or operates over 130 hotels worldwide. With almost 40,000 rooms worldwide, the company is present on all continents with a portfolio of brands which serve different market segments, representing quality and value in every class.
From a single property in Abu Dhabi, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Middle East & Africa has expanded into various neighbouring destinations and is now recognised as one of the fastest growing regional hotel management companies in the Middle East & Africa. Along the way, the company has cultivated partnerships with reputable and respected owners. Millennium Hotels & Resorts currently operates 40 hotels, has 14 hotels due to open within the year and 35 hotels in the pipeline across the region.
For more information, please visit www.millenniumhotels.com
NEOM is an accelerator of human progress and a vision of what a New Future might look like. It is a region in northwest Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea being built from the ground up as a living laboratory – a place where entrepreneurship will chart the course for this New Future. It will be a destination and a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for exceptional livability, creating thriving businesses and reinventing environmental conservation.
NEOM will be the home and workplace to more than a million residents from around the world. It will include towns and cities, ports and enterprise zones, research centers, sports and entertainment venues, and tourist destinations.
As a hub for innovation, entrepreneurs, business leaders and companies will come to research, incubate and commercialize new technologies and enterprises in groundbreaking ways. Residents of NEOM will embody an international ethos and embrace a culture of exploration, risk-taking and diversity – all supported by a progressive law compatible with international norms and conducive to economic growth.
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Radisson Hotel Group is one of the world's largest hotel groups with seven distinctive hotel brands, and more than 1,400 hotels in operation and under development around the world. Radisson Hotel Group portfolio includes Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.
Radisson Rewards is our global rewards program that delivers unique and personalized ways to create memorable moments that matter to our guests. Radisson Rewards offers exceptional loyalty benefits for our guests, meeting planners, travel agents and business partners.
Radisson Meetings places its guests and their needs at the heart of its offer and treats every meeting or event as more than just a date on the calendar. Radisson Meetings is built around three strong service commitments: Personal, Professional and Memorable, while delivering on the brilliant basics and our signature Yes I Can! service spirit and being uniquely 100% Carbon Neutral.
More than 95,000 global team members work for Radisson Hotel Group and at the hotels licensed to operate in its systems.
For more information, visit: www.radissonhotelgroup.com
Taiba Investments (Taiba) is a public joint-stock company listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange “Tadawul” (TDWL). Established in 1988, the Company, which is Headquartered in Madinah Saudi Arabia, manages a portfolio of diversified investments and has a distinguished history of investing in and developing iconic real estate holdings in Madinah and throughout Saudi Arabia. Taiba, which has a substantial land bank, has evolved to become one of the largest real estate developers in Saudi Arabia, known for its commercial and hotel projects located in prime locations in Central Madinah. Current Key developments includes the Taiba Residential and Commercial Centre and Al-Majeedi hotel and Commercial Centre, which is the first and largest shopping complex in Central Madinah, as well as Al Aqeeq and Taiba hotels and other future prominent real estate projects in Madinah, Riyadh, and Jeddah.
The Company is a key supporter of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 in particular Taiba is backing the Kingdom’s economic diversification by facilitating growth and development of public service sectors such as hospitality and tourism
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The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. These include Taj – the hallmark of iconic hospitality, SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels, Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels and Ginger, which is revolutionizing the lean luxe segment.
Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel – The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903. IHCL has a portfolio of 200 hotels including 42 under development globally across 4 continents, 12 countries and in over 100 locations. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is South Asia’s largest hospitality company by market capitalization. It is primarily listed on the BSE and NSE.
IHG® (InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo®, EVEN® Hotels, HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, voco™, Holiday Inn® Hotels & Resorts , Holiday Inn Express®, Holiday Inn Club Vacations®, avid™ hotels, Staybridge Suites®, Atwell Suites™, and Candlewood Suites®.
IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,900 hotels and approximately 884,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries, with over 1,900 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG® Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members.
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 400,000 people work across IHG’s hotels and corporate offices globally.
Visit www.ihg.com for hotel information and reservations and www.ihgrewardsclub.com for more on IHG Rewards Club. For our latest news, visit: https://www.ihgplc.com/en/news-and-media and follow us on social media at: https://twitter.com/ihgcorporate, www.facebook.com/ihgcorporate and www.linkedin.com/company/intercontinental-hotels-group.
Insignia Worldwide is a brand experience, growth and transformation agency.
We develop brands, assets, systems, experiences and initiatives based on strategic insights and creativity, fostering growth and distinction for brands within the experience economy.
ADVISORY
We provide strategic consultancy services including core brand strategy, positioning, brand experience mapping, market activation and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
DESIGN
We conceptualize and design powerful brands and develop communication assets and experiences, allowing brands to create defensible differentiation for themselves.
DIGITAL
We design online, digital and social media assets for brands and manage communication and engagement programmes to build brand engagement, drive demand and promote advocacy.
CULTURE. COMMUNITIES. COMMERCE. CITIES.
REAL ESTATE | HOSPITALITY | TRAVEL & TOURISM | DESTINATIONS | LEISURE & ENTERTAINMENT | RETAIL, DINING & LIFESTYLE VENUES | CULTURE & HERITAGE | PUBLIC DIPLOMACY | EDUCATION | HEALTHCARE | PHILANTHROPY
IT Hospitality is the preferred integrator for International Hotel Chains in Middle East & Africa ensuring the proper deployment of their systems, offering end to end turnkey solutions and providing local support. Advice, expertise, assessment, integration, deployment, configuration, supervision and maintenance with a glocal approach. We offer Network Design & Management, WiFi & High Speed Internet Access, IPTV & In-Room Entertainment, Digital Signage, IP Telephony Solutions, GRMS & AV Solutions, IT Management & Support
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Louvre Hotels Group is a major player in the global hospitality industry, with a portfolio that now includes 2,500 hotels in 54 countries.
It has a full hotel offering, spanning 1 star to 5 stars, with the Louvre Hotels Group’s historic brands (Première Classe, Kyriad, Campanile, Tulip Inn, Golden Tulip, Royal Tulip), the 5 brands of the Sarovar network in India, the French Group Hôtels and Préférence and Chinese brand Metropolo. Louvre Hotels Group is a subsidiary of Jin Jiang International Holdings Co., Ltd., the 5th hospitality group in the world.
OBMI is a global architecture and master planning firm widely celebrated for the design of distinctive high-end resorts and hotels, bespoke residences, and engaging urban areas. Since 1936, our mission has been to collaborate with clients to transform their visions into three-dimensional forms that are authentic, unique, and incomparably marketable. Through several global design studios, OBMI offers a boutique business approach to create experientially memorable, environmentally responsible, and financially successful destinations. Our success over the past eight decades an impressive portfolio of luxury hotel projects has allowed us to become trusted advisors to the most prominent and celebrated international hospitality brands.
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SSH is one of the leading master planning, infrastructure, building design and construction supervision firms in the Middle East, with a reputation for design integrity and a portfolio that includes landmark projects throughout the region. The firm maintains offices in Abu Dhabi, Algeria, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, London, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa.
Founded in 1961, we employ approximately 1,000 high-calibre local, regional and international experts in their individual fields, most of whom are from globally renowned international consultancy firms. SSH has been ranked in second position as architecture consultancy in the Middle East, among the top 100 architects in the world, in Building Design magazine’s World Architecture 100 Survey in 2021.
We were also ranked in 88th place among ENR’s Top 225 International Design Firms for 2020.
SSH's multifaceted practices include architecture, urban design and planning, landscape architecture, structural and civil engineering, MEP/building services, interior design, highway and bridge engineering, stormwater drainage, utility design, sanitary engineering, marine engineering and district cooling, in addition to project management and construction supervision services.
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STR provides premium data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights for global hospitality sectors. Founded in 1985, STR maintains a presence in 15 countries with a corporate North American headquarters in Hendersonville, Tennessee, an international headquarters in London, and an Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore. STR was acquired in October 2019 by CoStar Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSGP), the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplaces. For more information, please visit str.com and costargroup.com.
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Al Tamimi & Company is a leading law firm in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with over 350 lawyers across 17 offices in 9 countries and unrivalled experience having operated in the region for nearly 30 years. As a full-service firm, we specialise in advising and supporting major international corporations, banks and financial institutions, government organisations and local, regional and international companies. Our lawyers combine international experience with expert regional knowledge and understanding.
Our regional Hotels & Leisure practice is core to our firm and our clients. Established in 2009, it comprises over 20 lawyers throughout our network of offices, who have extensive expertise and knowledge of the industry. We advise hotel owners, developers, operators, investors and other stakeholders on all matters relevant to their interests within the industry. We provide a turnkey service from acquisition, construction & development, structuring, financing, operator appointment, disposal, disputes, together with Hotel funds and REITS.
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Today, HVS celebrates 40 years of hospitality excellence, completing more than 80,000 engagements in over 450 cities globally. HVS is the only global consulting firm focused exclusively on the hospitality industry. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 5,000 assignments for hotel and real estate owners, operators, and developers worldwide. HVS principals are regarded as the leading experts in their respective regions of the globe. Through a network of more than 50 offices and more than 350 professionals. HVS provides an unparalleled range of complimentary services for the hospitality industry.
HVS provides you with the comprehensive solution through its single-minded focus, helping you succeed in the complex hospitality arena through our global reach and in-depth understanding of the local market. Whether you are a first time investor looking to buy one hotel an experienced developer putting together a complex deal, an owner looking to improve your hotel’s cash flow or value, a financial firm evaluating an asset, a developer looking to hire an operator, we can help you every step of the way to succeed in the complex hospitality arena.
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About JLL
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specialises in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $16.6 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 91,000 as of December 31, 2020. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit www.jll.com.
About JLL MEA
Across the Middle East and Africa (MEA), JLL is a leading player in the real estate and hospitality services markets. The firm has worked in 35 countries across the region and employs over 1000 internationally qualified professionals across its offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Cairo, Casablanca and Johannesburg. For further information, visit www.jll-mena.com.
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MMAC | OPECO is has is a partnership between two hotel specialist dedicated to deliver holistic construction services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. They are solution-minded creative studios providing interior design, project management, quantity surveying services to international hotel chains and independent owners. They provide customized design solutions to their clients that incorporate their vision, embodies the local culture & respect the regional context while fulfilling the hotel's brand positioning and operational requirements.
MMAC is an Award winning interior design agency based in the UAE that specializes in luxury, up-scale and upper mid-scale hotel & restaurant design. With decades of hospitality experience, its team has developed more than sixty hotel concepts for all the leading international hospitality chains in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South East Asia. The firm's hospitality expertise is fully expressed through its ability to consistently produce powerful and original designs while delivering projects on-time and within budget.
OPECO is a KSA based independent team of highly experienced project and procurement managers focused on the planning, construction and delivery of new build and project recovery solutions to hospitality owners, developers and operators around the Middle East. Since its Inception, it has grown to become one of the leading consultancies in the region with an exclusive focus on the project and procurement management of hotel construction and fit-out projects.
PwC is a network of firms with more than 284,000 people operating in 155 countries across the globe. We are among the leading professional services networks in the world.
We help organisations and individuals create the value they are looking for, by delivering quality in Assurance, Tax and Advisory services (which includes our Consulting, Deals and Strategy& practices).
Established in the region for 40 years, PwC has more than 6,100 people in 12 countries across the region: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In 1998, Ròya opened the doors as a Hospitality and Leisure Consultant.
We’ve been providing specialist services and expertise ever since to the hospitality, leisure, tourism, food|beverage and real estate industries.
Although best known for our portfolio of work on iconic MENA properties, we expanded to include major projects on a global basis and added our affiliate company RPM - project managers with a broad portfolio of large and small projects managed from concept to turnkey delivery.
During our 20 years of development advisory, we have worked on more than USD 60 Bn. in project value and now carefully oversee more than 50 hotels valued above USD 8 Bn. in client portfolio assets.
Today, we’ve completed projects in more than 35 countries, signed more than 120 hotel management agreements and introduced more than 15 new brands to the region.
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Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Group is Asia Pacific's leading luxury hotel group. Owning and/or managing over 100 hotels and resorts in Asia, North America, the Middle East and Europe with a room inventory of over 40,000. The Group has new developments in Australia, Bahrain, Cambodia and Saudi Arabia among others.
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The Red Sea Development Company (www.theredsea.sa) is a closed joint-stock company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. The Red Sea Development Company was established to drive the development of The Red Sea Project, an ultra-luxury tourism destination that will set new standards in sustainable development and position Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map.
The project will be developed over 28,000 km2 of pristine land on Saudi Arabia’s west coast and includes a vast archipelago of more than 90 pristine islands and lagoons. The destination also features mountain canyons, dormant volcanoes, desert vistas and ancient cultural and heritage sites. The first phase of the development is planned to open in 2022 and will include hotels, unique attractions, residential properties, a marina, leisure, commercial and entertainment amenities and all supporting infrastructure.
The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management (EAHM), one of the top 10 hospitality management universities in the world, provides internationally-recognised business management degrees with a focus on hospitality. EAHM draws on a highly respected faculty from all over the world, modern facilities and strong partnerships with industry leaders, enabling students to be well-placed for their future careers. Such excellence results in career-ready graduates to fill vital leadership positions across a broad range of business functions, with 97% of graduates employed in over 100 companies across 40 countries worldwide.
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HAMA is a networking organization of approximately 200 professionals representing an estimated 3,200 hotels with over 760,000 rooms. Members are involved in asset management, acquisition, financing and disposition of hotels and resorts, and are directly responsible for making decisions concerning capital investments, renovations, asset repositioning, operational policies and franchise selections.
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