The event, which has sold out, is being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates. Sheikh Ahmed said: “Arabia is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions for travel and tourism and tourism is driving the economies for many of these countries.

“Turning to Dubai specifically: we have been set stringent targets for tourism growth, with 15 million visitors expected by 2010. The drive to attract inward investment into the tourism sector will continue to be key throughout the region over the next decade.”

Jonathan Worsley, organiser of AHIC, said: “We are delighted to have Sheikh Ahmed on board as our patron, as his insight from years at the helm of one of the world’s leading brands will be extremely valuable. The growth of Emirates and the development of Dubai has gone hand-in-hand, and will provide a case study for years to come.”

The event, which will also feature the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Company, has attracted the attention of the heads of global tourism groups.

The award was the result of voting across a panel of regional tourism leaders, and Worsley said: “Prince Alwaleed was the natural choice as the first recipient of our Lifetime Achievement. He has mixed studied investment opportunities around the world with a measured expansion plan in the Middle East, and is widely recognised as one of the most visionary leaders in Arabia.”

Platinum sponsors at the event 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; Port Ghalib; 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.

AHIC will run from April 30 – May 2, 2005, on the eve of the Arabian Travel Market, at Dubai’s new Madinat Jumeirah resort. The conference is organised by CB Richard Ellis Hotels, the largest commercial real estate firm in the world, and MEED Conferences. Details of AHIC can be found on www.arabianconference.com.

About the Organisers

CB Richard Ellis Hotels - CB Richard Ellis is the largest commercial real estate firm in the world, with 250 offices in 48 countries. CB Richard Ellis Hotels focuses exclusively on the hospitality industry providing consultancy services for the sale, valuation, financing, development and asset management of hotels. CB Richard Ellis Hotels has been involved in several of the largest transactions in Europe, specialising in investment opportunities and sale and leasebacks that have typified the changing times. Jonathan Worsley of CB Richard Ellis Hotels has taken a lead in developing networking events for the industry by organising the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin, the European Hotel Design Awards in London and now the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference in Dubai. Jonathan also sits as an advisor to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Contact: Jonathan.Worsley@cbrehotels.com on +44 1483 835794

MEED

MEED (Middle East Economic Digest) is internationally recognised as providing essential information for anyone doing business in, or with, the Middle East and North Africa. MEED now attracts over 70,000 individual readers each week, across 70 countries worldwide.

MEED Conferences is part of the leading information brand in the Middle East working to provide delegates with the very latest business sensitive information. Over the past 10 years, MEED Conferences has organised events attended by senior government officials and thousands of international business people. The conference series is aimed at companies active or seeking business in the markets of the Middle East. MEED is well established as the source of strategic and accurate regional information placing it in a unique position to bring together high-calibre speakers. Contact: AndrewDavies@emap.com or +44 207 239 3442