In September 2023, the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS), along with the 19th edition of Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC), the region’s leading hospitality investment conference, will take place in Abu Dhabi.
FHS and AHIC will take place at the stunning, contemporary Hilton Abu Dhabi YAS Island, with its wonderful waterfront location on one of the region’s most exciting destinations, and with a vast array of attractions right on its doorstep. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organisers of the events, said: “We are very excited to take FHS and AHIC to the UAE’s capital this year with the support of our host sponsors, the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau and Miral, for what promises to be another record-breaking event for our industry.” “FHS is about far more than just main stage conference sessions. We want to give attendees a rich and holistic event experience that offers them the opportunity to learn, explore, network with peers, and make new connections in a variety of ways from networking receptions and culinary tours to sports & wellness events as well as site tours. We have some very exciting plans in store including a cycling tour, visits to the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Qasr Al Watan as well as daily morning runs and sunrise yoga sessions,” added Worsley. Taghrid Al Saeed, Executive Director of Marketing and Destination Strategy at Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences, told TTN: “It’s a testament to Yas Island’s success in attracting global events that the region’s leading hospitality investment forum, FHS, will take place on the island this September. “We are tremendously proud to see Yas Island attract more business leisure travellers each year, and positioned as a prime destination for cultural, hospitality, entertainment and MICE experiences. With increasing numbers of international destinations competing to attract corporate groups, the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau and Miral’s Joint Business Event Fund’s first year of operation has been a tremendous success, further reinforcing Abu Dhabi as a key destination for business leisure backed with three-tier cumulative incentive financial programs for business events. “Yas Island is a firmly established, one-stop destination for international events, from conferences and forums to themed galas and large-scale award shows. With world-class facilities and just 10 minutes away from Abu Dhabi International Airport, Yas Island boasts outstanding infrastructure, unrivalled experiences and multi-purpose event venues. Miral is proud to play a key role in the island’s success by continuing to conceive, create, develop, operate and manage immersive experiences for MICE groups.” With the MICE industry central to Abu Dhabi’s 2030 vision, the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) has developed a 10 year strategy to further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global events hub, with the goal of doubling the size of the MICE sector by 2030. The emirate continues to invest in key tourism infrastructure, including hotels, aviation and new attractions, such as the upcoming experiential art space teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi, announced in February. The DCT, which is developing the new destination in partnership with Miral and Tokyo-based international art collective, teamLab, has signed an MoU for a US7.6 million sponsorship of the attraction, which is due for completion in 2024.