AHIC 2019 recap
The 15th edition of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) in Ras Al Khaimah hosted a number of new hotel signings and industry announcements. Expert speakers addressed the potential impact of a variety of external influences on the hospitality industry, in particular, the unparalleled digital landscape. Here are six things you missed:
GOOGLE RELEASES MOBILE STATISTICS
Maria de la Fuente Corrales, Travel Industry Analyst at Google, spoke about the need to analyse and make use of data in order to tap into what customers want. “When it comes to mobile, if your site takes more than three seconds to load, more than 50 percent of people will just leave,” said de la Fuente Corrales. “They will not wait for the site to load. You are missing more than 50% of your traffic to your website because you have not optimised your site."
ACCOR CEO CALLS FOR WEEKLY INTERACTION WITH GUESTS
Sébastien Bazin, chairman and CEO of Accor, said it was time the industry moved away from being “product-centric” and focused on being “client-centric.” He said that his next focus in the transformation of Accor was to compete with digital players like Facebook and Amazon, by “enlarging the net and increasing frequency with our clients”. Bazin explained that the advantage these companies had was their weekly, if not daily, contact with customers.
THE GRAND RAK PROJECT
His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah launched the Grand RAK Project, a competition open to delegates registered to attend AHIC 2019 to create a new resort that is unique to Ras Al Khaimah and the Middle East. Working in teams combining hotel designers and operators, entrants will have till July 2019, to prepare a preliminary concept vision supported by a high-level feasibility appraisal. Three shortlisted operators will receive USD 25,000 each as a contribution toward their final submission, due in November 2019.
The winning project will be allocated a coveted beachfront location.
HVS RELEASES FIRST EDITION OF ITS HOTEL VALUATION INDEX FOR THE MIDDLE EAST
The report estimates that regional hotel values will grow by between 10 percent and 13 percent in 2019 and 2020 respectively in the lead up to major events such as the World Expo 2020 and Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022, and amid the ongoing economic and tourism recovery in Egypt, Lebanon and other key markets. Read the full report on www.hospitalitynewsmag.com
HILTON ADDS 2,000 ROOMS IN KSA
Hilton announced the signing of a management agreement with Umm Al Qura For Development and Construction Company to open the world’s largest Hilton Garden Inn with 1,560 rooms and a 392-suite Embassy Suites by Hilton, both located in King Abdul Aziz Road project in Makkah.
IHG SIGNS TWO HOTELS IN SAUDI ARABIA
IHG signed two franchise agreements - Holiday Inn Madinah King Abdulaziz Road with Loulouat Al Madinah Hospitality and Holiday Inn Jeddah Al Hamra with Al Hokair Group. ahic.com