More than 100 delegates from 60 member hotels around the world will be attending the Preferred Hotels & Resorts 2016 Global Conference taking place for the first time in the Middle East this month at Palazzo Versace Dubai.

“The decision to host our 2016 Global Conference in Dubai gives us an ideal opportunity to underscore our strategic plans for growth and to provide further support for our partners in the region,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, president and CEO, Preferred Hotels & Resorts.

“It is also an appropriate time for us to recognise the exceptional growth of the tourism sector throughout the Middle East, especially in the GCC countries, as their respective governments try to diversify their economies away from hydrocarbon receipts, affording great opportunities for all of our members.”  

“However it is Dubai that has emerged as the undisputed tourism hub, with overnight visitors expected to touch 15 million in 2016, and targets to attract 20 million visitors per year by 2020 plus an additional 5 million visitors expected for Expo 2020 itself. This is a growth trajectory that is exceptional by any standards,” she added.

Taking place from October 12-16, the conference will see welcome addresses by Preferred Hotels & Resorts executives such as executive chairman John Ueberroth, president and CEO Lindsey Ueberroth, and executive vice president Saurabh Rai. Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), Government of Dubai, will also address the Preferred delegates with the opening keynote, inspiring the audience with insight into Dubai’s core achievements, DTCM’s immediate objectives, and the significance of the hospitality industry in DTCM’s overall future strategy.

Almarri’s speech will kick start three days of educational presentations and panel sessions from industry professionals like branding expert Kevin Roberts and executives from global organisations such as hospitality research company STR Global.

Other Preferred executives will give a range of presentations including an update on its iPrefer awards programme and insight into future trends in areas such as distribution, cyber security, and global sales.

Preferred Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest global provider of sales, marketing and distribution services to independent luxury hotels.

“We are making great strides in the region’s dynamic hospitality market with a total Middle East portfolio of 22 hotels” said Rai. “We are committed to adding even more value for our partners, so we have opened new regional headquarters in Dubai, restructured our operation and expanded our management team,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service