AHIC announces award winners

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) – widely recognised as the leading conference of hotel investors, operators and owners – has recently announced the recipients of the major leadership categories, as chosen by the AHIC advisory board, made up of 50 hotel stakeholders, key investors and governmental representatives from across the Middle East and Africa.

 

The AHIC advisory board has chosen chairman, Dubai Airports, president, Dubai Department for Civil Aviation and Chairman and CEO, Emirates, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum as the winner of their newly-created ‘Outstanding Achievement Award,’ in recognition of the role he has played in supporting the tourism industry in Dubai and across the region during the global economic downturn.

 

Under H.H. Al Maktoum’s guidance, Emirates has grown from being a regional airline with just two leased aircraft and three destinations, to a widely acclaimed airline with a fleet of more than 100 aircraft and as many destinations across six continents.

 

Emirates is one of the world’s fastest growing intercontinental carriers. H.H. Al Maktoum’s vision and planning has also helped Dubai maintain its role as one of the most important tourist hotspots in the region, with continuing visitor growth in 2009 despite the global economic downturn and further accelerated increases in 2010.

 

H.H. Al Maktoum said: “I am very pleased to receive the award, which is a reflection of the hard work and commitment shown by everyone involved in Dubai’s hospitality industry as we emerge from the global economic downturn.

 

“The continuing growth seen by the emirate, and the increased global profile for the region as a whole, means the outlook is extremely positive going forward.”

 

Chairman, Bench Events – co-organiser of AHIC – Jonathan Worsley commented: “The ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award was created by the advisory board in order to express their appreciation and acknowledgement of Sheikh Ahmed’s support and vital role during the economic downturn.

 

“I would also like to thank H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for his continuous and invaluable support over the years in his role as Patron of AHIC, which has helped it become the number one business platform for the region’s hotel investment market.”

Additionally, executive chairman, Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless has been chosen for the ‘Leadership Award’, and chairman, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, Nasser Al Nowais is to be presented with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.

 

Lawless was chosen for his success in driving the group forward in its ambition to become one of the most distinctive and innovative hospitality groups in the world. Since joining in 1997 Lawless has played an integral role. The company has build a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts including Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai, Jumeirah Essex House in New York and Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London.

 

In 2011, Jumeirah Group expects to open more than six new hotels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the Maldives, Germany, Shanghai, Azerbaijan and Kuwait.

 

The winners are expected to receive their awards during the seventh Annual Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC), which is scheduled to be held from April 30 to May 2, 2011 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.