Tourism Breaking News
Gulf and Indian Ocean Hotel Investors’ Summit 2021 (GIOHIS) will be held on 15-16 November in Ras Al Khaimah. The event aims to bring around 300 of the top hotel owners, developers and operators from the Gulf, East Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, ASEAN, and Australia together to discuss topical issues affecting the industry, ideally in person, but if necessary, also via remote links. Being run by hotel owners’ alliance HOFTEL, rather than a commercial media or conferencing company, means that GIOHIS can be upfront about addressing the sector’s key issues in a transparent and compact forum full of decision-makers.
The hotel investment community has had a torrid time during the pandemic, with some hotel owners “clinging on in order to ride out the storm”, according to Simon Allison, CEO of hotel owners’ alliance, HOFTEL, and organiser of GIOHIS. He believes, however, that the bottom of the market is close to being reached, and this will provide the stimulus for fresh investment from those looking to take advantage of a post-Covid tourism boom. “There are a number of factors coming together at the same time which bode well for the recovery of the Gulf’s hospitality sector,” says Allison. “They offer an interesting, but complex environment for members of the hotel investment community to consider their strategies, with the potential for strong returns.”
Allison adds, “The consequences of Covid-19 have been terrible for the hospitality sector, and above all, we cannot lose sight of the fatalities among hospitality sector workers, the enormous job losses and the number of hotel owners left teetering on the brink of financial ruin”. “We can now see light at the end of the tunnel, and I firmly believe that the most effective way for the sector to get back on its feet is by working together to understand the challenges we face, and to look carefully at the opportunities to open a new and exciting chapter.”
Khalid Anib, CEO, Abu Dhabi National Hotels PJSC, agrees that the regional hospitality sector is well-positioned for post-Covid growth, but notes that the changing needs and expectations of tourists and other travellers must be considered. He says, “As the world emerges from Covid-19 it will be vital for destinations to have clear strategies for attracting visitors while giving them confidence in measures being taken for their health and safety at hotels, resorts, and attractions.
“Our region has a good opportunity to rebound quickly from the challenges of the past year, and this is being strengthened by the continued investment in value-added areas, such as cultural attractions, outdoor activities and entertainment.”
Olivier Harnish, Head of Hospitality, Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, says, “GIOHIS has always been a key event in my calendar, given the relevance and quality of its discussions. With the turbulences our industry has gone through in the past year, GIOHIS 2021 will be more important than ever. We will have plenty to discuss with regards to the implications of the post-Covid future for all stakeholders in the hospitality sector. I look forward to doing so in person.”
Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Department Authority (RAKTDA), and a key supporter of the event says, “We are delighted to be hosting GIOHIS, the leading regional investment conference at the Al Hamra International Conference and Exhibition Centre, the first meeting facility to be certified by Bureau Veritas. Hosting high calibre programs such as GIOHIS, aligns the destination’s strategy for sustained and resilient recovery while showcasing the best that Ras Al Khaimah has to offer. Genuine hospitality is at the root of everything we do at RAKTDA and as such, it is always a pleasure to collaborate with leading hotel operators as we share ideas and insights into what the ‘new normal’ means for the growth and development of the tourism sector from an investment perspective.”
