Arabian hospitality body honours Dubai World Chairman’s contribution to the economic growth
His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman of Dubai World, today (Sunday, May 3) received the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2009 Leadership Award in recognition of his contribution to the growth of the investment sector in the region through his steadfast role at Dubai World.
Sol Kerzner, Chairman and CEO of Kerzner International, leading international developer and operator of destination resort and luxury hotels, presented the award to Bin Sulayem during a high profile ceremony at the 5th Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, being held under the patronage of H.H. Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai's Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman '&' CEO, Emirates Group, at the Madinat Jumeirah Convention Centre from May 2-4.
Commenting on the occasion, Bin Sulayem said:
“This award is a recognition of the sustained hard work and commitment of Dubai World companies that have contributed towards turning Dubai, the UAE and the region as a whole into a prime investment destination. We strongly believe that the hospitality and tourism sectors, which have gained immensely from years of investment flow, will continue to play their leading roles as engines of growth in the future. The AHIC Award is an inspiration for Dubai World and me personally. We thank AHIC for this great honour.”
Sultan Bin Sulayen joins a select line up of distinguished past winners of the AHIC award, including His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai (2006), and Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Company (2005).
The Dubai World chairman was chosen for the award on the basis of online nominations made by AHIC’s 50-strong advisory board of key industry leaders.
Jonathan Worsley, co-organiser of AHIC, said the leadership award “recognises Bin Sulayem’s dedication to the growth of the investment sector in the region and his efforts in helping to put Arabia on the global map through his steadfast role at Dubai World.”
As the head of one of the largest holding companies that manages and supervises a diversified portfolio of businesses in Dubai and across the world, Bin Sulayem has spearheaded a number of groundbreaking developments and initiatives that helped redefine the country’s economic profile. Under his leadership Dubai World has become one of the engines that powered Dubai’s remarkable growth.
Bin Sulayem’s achievements have won him several awards and honours. He was conferred Honorary Doctorate by UK-based Middlesex University in 2008, the World Economic Forum elected him “Global Leader for Tomorrow”, and he won the Lifetime Achievement Award at Lloyd’s List Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards 2006.
The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) 2009, jointly organised by Bench Events and MEED magazine, is being held under the theme “The Challenge of Maintaining Growth.” It is the premier gathering of the Middle East’s hotel investment community. It has attracted senior industry leaders to discuss hotel investment and new projects in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and across the Middle East.
