AHIC 2008 conference showcased the excellence and innovation in the hospitality sector with two industry awards. The Best New Hotel Development Award was presented to Abdullah Ibrahim bin Hussain, Director for the Raffles Dubai, project developer, MKM Commercial Holdings by Clive Hillier, CEO, Vision Hospitality Asset Management.

Other nominees were InterContinental Hotel at Festival City, Dubai and the Movenpick Resort & Spa Al Bida’a in Kuwait, both of which were short-listed alongside Raffles Dubai by a panel of expert judges overseen by the organisers of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference.

Abdullah Ibrahim bin Hussain accepted the award noting, “It beat off its competitors for its visually stunning design, wealth of food and beverage outlets, spacious rooms, all with balconies and butler service, and its one hectare botanical garden.”

The first AHIC Innovation Award was presented to Ecos Hotels of Dubai. The eco-friendly, budget chain was launched last year by Coral International and the group has announced plans to expand with a network of 150 properties throughout the Middle East.

OBM International chief marketing officer, Cristina Lanao-Rossel, made the presentation to Ecos Hotels' founder and director, Ralph Noblet and architect, Graeme Fisher.

Both award-winners demonstrate the US$3.63 trillion-worth investment in travel-related projects over the next 12 years with over 90,000 rooms under development in Dubai alone.

Around 1,100 senior industry professionals attended the conference at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai May 3- 5, where a line-up of local and international experts discussed hot topics in the industry.