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UAE: The Gulf and Indian Ocean Hotel Investors’ Summit (GIOHIS) will take place 7-8 April 2025 at the ANDEC Centre Abu Dhabi, organised by HOFTEL.
This year, while the GCC region remains the core focus of the conference, it has also been extended to cover the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia.
IHM’s CEO Piers Brown will join the speaker lineup, moderating a panel discussion called Is it the vibe which really drives?
Exploring the impact of F&B and entertainment facilities on the bottom line, Brown will encourage insights from Paul Fanning, executive director of asset management at Miral; Antonio Gonzalez, chairman and group CEO of Sunset Hospitality Group; and Diane Daudin-Clavaud, corporate director of global business development, Nobu Hospitality.
Additional speakers include Marc Dardenne, CEOI of Modon Hospitality; Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor International; Khalid Anib, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Hotels; H.E Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, CEO, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq); Sabine Schaffer, co-founder & CEO Europe, Pro-invest Group; and more.
Simon Allison, CEO of HOFTEL, said: “There is a lot going on in the region. Branded residences have taken off, new destinations are being developed, the operators and franchisors continue to create new brands for the benefit – and sometimes to the detriment – of the hotel owner community, AI is coming to the fore, and institutional investors are starting to take more of an interest in the sector in the GCC and beyond.
“Much vaunted trends like ESG, lifestyle hotels and wellness products are having to reinvent their narratives as the market matures. And of course the global picture provides plenty of challenges. Our Summits are always topical and fast-paced, so for sure there will be insights to share and direct discussions of live issues,” he added.
