Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Founder and Chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, was honoured by the Arab Centre for Tourism Media (ACTM) at a ceremony held in Muscat, Oman on Monday August 31, 2015. Al Habtoor was awarded ‘Best Arab Tourism Investor’ at the seventh Arab Tourism Media Awards for his works in the field of giant tourism projects. Sultan Al Habtoor, President, Al Habtoor Motors collected the award on behalf of the Al Habtoor Group Chairman.
Al Habtoor said, “It is an honour to receive this award. The investments I am making in Dubai show my commitment to my country. This is where the growth is.”
The Al Habtoor Group Chairman has made significant investments in the tourism industry in Dubai. He currently owns four hotels in the city, and is developing a new landmark – Al Habtoor City. The integrated city incorporates three internationally branded hotels, alongside three luxury residential towers on the banks of the Dubai Water Canal. Al Habtoor City will also be home to the region’s first-ever permanent Dragone water-themed production. Dragone is the leading cultural creation company in the world. The one-of-a-kind theatrical extravaganza takes place in an auditorium built exclusively for the production, with a capacity of 1,400 unique seats.
Al Habtoor said, “The Dragone theatre will draw in many people, from residents and visitors around the world. It is something spectacularly.”
“Al Habtoor City will become a destination in its own right,” Al Habtoor added. “It is a City within a city. There is everything residents and visitors could ever dream of under one roof. There is nothing like it anywhere else.”
Al Habtoor is also building an equestrian community in Dubai Land, the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, which will feature a St. Regis hotel as the centerpiece. In addition, construction is well underway on a new Metropolitan Hotel in Umm Sequim.
The Arab Centre for Tourism Media was established in Cairo in 2007 by a group of Arab media leaders aimed at encouraging intra-Arab tourism and promoting Arab tourist attractions. Winners are chosen from a selection of nominations by a selection committee that includes academics, experts on tourism and journalists.