We’re looking forward to joining the 8th edition of GIOHIS – the Gulf & Indian Ocean Hotel Investors’ Summit, a leading regional event that has been bringing together hotel real estate investors, developers, and operators. Known for its sharp industry focus and senior-level attendance, GIOHIS has become a key platform for shaping hospitality investment conversations in the Middle East and beyond.
Event Details:
Dates: April 7–8, 2025
Location: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Abu Dhabi, UAE
At this year’s summit, our Group CEO, Roger Allen, will participate in two sessions:
1. April 7, 14:00 | Panel Moderator
“The Race to ‘Be Heinz’ – Is There Brand Saturation in the Market?”
In today’s crowded hotel landscape, branding has become both a differentiator and a challenge. With over 1,000 brands now in circulation, this session will explore whether the rapid expansion of hotel labels is strengthening brand identity or diluting it. Roger will guide a frank discussion on what makes a brand genuinely distinct—and how cultural consistency, leadership, and operational models play into long-term brand value.
Panelists include:
Saurabh Bakshi, COO, Hospitality Management, Azizi
Paul Macpherson, Chief Asset Officer, Modon Hospitality
Vijay Raghavan, Board Member, Golden Sands Hotels
Dr. Naim Maadad, Chief Executive & Founder, Gates Hospitality
2. April 8, 16:15 | Speaker
“Has the Wellness Trend Found New Legs for Investors or Is It Still Too Narrow a Niche for Real Profitability?”
Roger will also speak on a panel examining the evolving role of wellness in hospitality. His contribution will bring a broader investment and strategy perspective to the discussion, highlighting how wellness fits into the larger picture of value creation and guest experience.
Moderator:
Virna Ramazzini, Partner, Z-65 Vision Collaborative
Speakers:
Roger Allen, Group CEO, RLA Global
Sharon Codner, Director of Wellness, Atlantis
Prateek Kumar, Senior Vice President, Dusit Hotels and Resorts
Judith Cartwright, Founder & Managing Director, Black Coral Consulting
We look forward to joining this top-tier hospitality investment event and reconnecting with peers and partners.
To meet Roger during GIOHIS 2025, feel free to reach out at contactus@rlaglobal.com.
PRESS RELEASE - Dubai - March 30 2026 - Leading hospitality advisory firm RLA Global and global digital experience innovator DigiValet announce a strategic partnership aimed at advancing data-driven decision-making in hospitality real estate, powered by financial benchmarking insights from HotStats. Read more
PRESS RELEASE - Dubai - March 30 2026 - Leading hospitality advisory firm RLA Global and global digital experience innovator DigiValet announce a strategic partnership aimed at advancing data-driven decision-making in hospitality real estate, powered by financial benchmarking insights from HotStats. Read more
The branded residences sector is expanding fast, and the decisions made today will define who leads it. Leading industry experts take the conversation to three European cities this April. Read more
The branded residences sector is expanding fast, and the decisions made today will define who leads it. Leading industry experts take the conversation to three European cities this April. Read more
Concept development is often treated as a nice-to-have element, stemming from a misunderstanding that it is simply about branding or aesthetics. Many stakeholders imagine it as a mood board, a logo exercise or a stylistic direction that can be added later. In reality, concept is the strategic backbone of a project. Read more
Concept development is often treated as a nice-to-have element, stemming from a misunderstanding that it is simply about branding or aesthetics. Many stakeholders imagine it as a mood board, a logo exercise or a stylistic direction that can be added later. In reality, concept is the strategic backbone of a project. Read more
Hotel owners and investors must move beyond traditional financial indicators in asset evaluation and take a holistic approach with new metrics to uncover hidden property value and future potential. This article explains why conventional evaluation tools don’t do the trick alone anymore, which modern metrics to take into account and what drives value at modern hospitality assets. Read more
Hotel owners and investors must move beyond traditional financial indicators in asset evaluation and take a holistic approach with new metrics to uncover hidden property value and future potential. This article explains why conventional evaluation tools don’t do the trick alone anymore, which modern metrics to take into account and what drives value at modern hospitality assets. Read more
Sign up for our Newsletter