Tourism & Hospitality | Tuesday 26 April, 2016 2:59 am |

Organisers of this year’s Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) have just announced details of a very special forum which is running for the first time on 28th April, during this year’s AHIC. Presenting a unique career seminar supported by the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation the Dubai Government Department responsible for Emirati youths who have lost one or both parents, AHIC will team up with Ròya International’s founder Ahmed Ramdan, the Glion Institute of Higher Education (GIHE) and Les Roches International School of Hotel Management (LRB) to encourage and nurture Emirati talent in the hospitality industry. 

 

Choosing his career at a time shortly after the UAE had just been formed, Ahmed Ramdan, bucked the trend for young Emiratis seeking professions in engineering, law or medicine and decided to embark on a career in hospitality when there were only four major hotels in Dubai. After many successful years in the upper echelons of international hotel management, he formed his own company, Ròya International which is now one of the most recognised hospitality advisory firms in the GCC. Through Ròya, Ramdan was able to develop some of the most iconic properties in the GCC and truly make an impact on the region's tourism and hospitality industry. 

 

Mr. Ramdan remarked: “Here in the UAE, particularly Dubai, the importance of hospitality is clear and growing. The hotel and tourism sector plus the airline industry account for a very significant percentage of our GDP.  We are located at the heart of the East and West, a global mid world capital and presenting the benefits of hospitality are important factors for our young people as they begin their choice of career planning.” 

 

At the forum, there will be a tailored programme of activities and talks to engage the young Emiratis and raise awareness of the varied hospitality management careers which are available. There will be information on career training paths and scholarships available for students accepted to study abroad.

 

“Offering advice and guidance is the backbone of Ròya International and we are extremely pleased to be supporting Ahmed Ramdan’s vision of increasing the number of young Emiratis in the hospitality industry through this initiative which is supported by some of the world’s most prestigious tourism and hospitality schools. We are also privileged to be able to work with some fantastic young people under the care of AMAF,” said Jennifer Pettinger-Haines, Managing Director Middle East of Bench Events.

 

On the 26th of this month (April), the 12th AHIC will take place in Dubai at the Madinat, Jumeirah. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of Dubai Department for Civil Aviation and Chairman and Group CEO of Emirates, the event is the region’s leading hotel investment conference and is renowned for its programme designed to tackle industry challenges directly.