Hala Matar Choufany

Employment History

Hala Matar Choufany is the President for HVS Middle East, Africa & South Asia and Managing Partner of HVS Dubai.

Hala is an experienced Managing Partner and Hospitality Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry. Skilled in Contract Negotiation, Feasibility Studies, Development Recommendation, Valuation, Asset Management, and Strategic Advisory; she has advised on more than 2,500 hospitality and mixed-use projects in the last 15 years across Europe, MEA and Asia. Hala has in-depth expertise in regional hotel markets and a broad exposure to international markets and maintains excellent contacts with developers, owners, operators, investment institutions and government entities. Hala speaks frequently at investment coneferences on a range of topics including asset valuation, management issues and women leadership.

Hala completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School. She also holds an MBA in Finance and Strategy from IMHI (Essec- Cornell) University, Paris, France and a BA in Hospitality Management from Notre Dame University, Lebanon. Hala is fluent in English, French and Arabic.

Hala is a board member of Harvard Business School club of the GCC and is a mum of three. Born in Beirut, Hala lived and worked in a number of cities across Europe, Asia and Middle East.

Hala can be reached on [email protected].
 

Consulting Experience

Hala is an experienced Managing Partner and Hospitality Advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the hospitality industry. Skilled in Contract Negotiation, Feasibility Studies, Development Recommendation, Valuation, Asset Management, and Strategic Advisory; she has advised on more than 2,500 hospitality and mixed-use projects in the last 15 years across Europe, MEA and Asia. Hala has in-depth expertise in regional hotel markets and a broad exposure to international markets and maintains excellent contacts with developers, owners, operators, investment institutions and government entities. Hala speaks frequently at investment coneferences on a range of topics including asset valuation, management issues and women leadership.


More detailed experience list is available on request.
 

Education

Harvard Business School, Executive Education, Boston, USA
Senior Leadership
May 2018

Joint Program of Essec Business School, Paris, and Cornell University, USA
MBA in International Hospitality Management
1999-2001

NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY
BA in Hospitality Management
1996-1999
Louaizy, Lebanon

Affiliations

HVS Board Member 2016- Current

Borad Member- Harvard Business School Club of the GCC- Current

Member of Dubai Business Women Council (DBWC) 2016- Current

Advisory Board Member of the Hotel Association Conference (HOFTEL) 2015-2016

Advisory Board Member of the Serviced Apartments Summit 2015-Current

Advisory Board Member of the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, 2010- Current

Chairman of the Best New Hotel Development Award, 2010

Speaking Engagements

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, 2019 
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
“Valuation Workshop Middle East"
Release of the Hotel Valuation Index ffor the MENA region.

Saudi Hotel Investment Conference 2019
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
“Women Success and Leadership in Saudi Arabia”
 
Saudi Hotel Investment Conference 2019
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
“Masterclass on management contracts and owner-operator relationship”
 
ThincAfrica Conference, an HVS Conference, 2018
Capetown, South Africa
“Women Leadership in Africa”
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2018
Waldorf Astoria, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
“Focus on Value Engineering”
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2017
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
"Alternative Investment Model”
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2016
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
“The Evolution of the Necessary Marriage”
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2016
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
“Getting the Most Out of Your Properties”
 
MEED Qatar Projects Conference 2016
St Regis Hotel Doha
“Plans for growth and development of the tourism and hospitality”
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, Bahrain Briefing 2016
ART Rotana, Amwaj Island
“Private Investor Perspective: Hotel Industry in Bahrain – Past, Present, and Future”
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, Oman Briefing 2015
Ritz Carlton, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
“Looking at the Budget and Mid Market Sector in Oman”
 
Oman Projects Forum 2015
Al Bustan Palace Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
“Future investment outlook for the Sultanate’s hospitality developments”
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2015
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
“Mergers and Acquisitions in the GCC”
 
AHIC Regional Briefing on Jeddah 2015
Makarim Annakheel Village, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
“A Focus on Jeddah”
 
Euromoney Conference in Egypt and at Oman Tourism Day Summit 2014
JW Marriott Mirage City, Cairo
Investment Workshop, Tourism 
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2014
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
“Designing and Building for the Mid-Market & Budget Sector”
 
Global Restaurant Investment Forum, Dubai 2014
FINDING THE RIGHT FIT - When does it make sense to keep an outlet in-house as opposed to franchising, leasing, joint ventures or introducing third party operators? What are the benchmarks of successful relationships? How do you create the right mix of products, price points and experiences within a destination?
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, Riyadh Briefing 2014
"Market update on Saudi Arabia - What has changed in the hospitality sector in last year? Where is the market heading? Where are the opportunities for investors into the tourism sector?" 
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2013
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
"The importance of defining a vision, how does feasibility studies shape a vision"

Essec Conference, April 2013 
Investments- a Global Perspective

AHIC Briefing- Qatar, March 2013 
Hilton, Doha 
"Is the Hotel Market Sustainable in Doha"


Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2012 
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
"The plan before you build"- what are the necessary steps to ensure a successful mixed-use development?

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2011
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
"Asset and Brand Conversion and Acquisition"- is the MENA region mature enough to adopt such an approach? 

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2011
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
"Ask the Expert"- Risk of Oversupply in Qatar and ways to Mitigate Risks and Concerns 
Expert/Speaker 

Real Estate Lebanon 2010
Beirut, Lebanon 
Beirut and Beyond, an unparalleled insight into the country's hospitality industry and dynamics 

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2010
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
“A Focus on the Levant- Regional dynamics, growth and expansions possibilities in the Levant” Keys to succeeding in the region. 

Cityscape 2008
World Trade Centre, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
Hotel & Tourism Investment & Development 


Interviews:
Hala Matar Choufany's insights on opportunities for hospitality investors
Operating using an alternative investment model - Hala Matar Choufany at AHIC
Hala Matar Choufany: Return on Investment vs Return on Ego in 2017

 

Honors Received

Selected as "One of the 35 most Influential Women in the Industry" by Hospitality News Middle East, October 2013

Intentional Society of Hospitality Consultants Award (2000, Budapest)

Press Coverage

Youtube links:

CNN Turk- World Tourism Forum, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9PjQzl-Ulo

Breaking Travel News, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHq9a0kAa4E

Bloomberg Turk Interview, 2019,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_GVM8vrXjM (Turkish Translation)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgbRkBwEX0E (English)

Arabiya News Channel, 2019
https://www.alarabiya.net/ar/aswaq/videos/power-lunch/2019/04/09/ما-هي-المدن-العربية-الأكثر-قيمة-بالغرف-الفندقية؟.html

AHIC 2019
Masterclass- Valuations in the Middle East, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1kdUTRxa-s

SHIC, Saudi Arabia, 2019
Business Women in the Saudi Hospitality World
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NHUxq6r0Wc

SHIC, Saudi Arabia, 2019
Master Class on Hotel Management Agreements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyhS4iDR53o


AHIC, UAE, 2018
Focus on Value Engineering
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ApXCe8a89Y

AHIC 2017
Opportunities for Middle East Hospitality Investors
Operating using an alternative investment model - Hala Matar Choufany at AHIC
Hala Matar Choufany: Return on Investment vs Return on Ego in 2017

AHIC 2016
https://youtu.be/Cn-jlRx_MG8
https://youtu.be/14wQI0HWLfE
https://youtu.be/tl_naVwdArI
https://youtu.be/6gs60m8rh4g
https://youtu.be/egRwPxIa6E8
https://youtu.be/EvUOezIecQ4


AHIC 2014:
https://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PLiejX0uIv_x1Ofl_tZuc80EGHknhGrP07

Clients

3MY General Trading
Abdali
Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Subeaei Holding Company
Abu Dhabi Investment House
Abukhamis Group
Abjar Hotels International
Action Group Holdings
Adex Contracting Maintenance & Operations
AFB Bank
A.K. Bakri & Sons
Al Anwar Holdings
Al Anwa Holding Co. for Investments
Alaqeeq Real Estate Development Co.
Al Bayan Group
Al Dar Al Khasa for Urban Development
Alfanar Company
Al Futtaim Group Real Estate
Alghanim Marine Co.
Al Ghurair Group
Alkhorayef Group
Almadina Real Estate Development
Al Mashriq Hotels and Tourism LLC
Al Rajhi Real Estate Investments
Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Co.
Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company "ARTIC"
Al Thakher
Al Sharq Investment
Al Siddiqi International Group
Al Zorah Development Company
Amerimar Enterprises, Inc.
ANB Invest
Apex Enterprises
Aqua Properties
Aquiva Coöperatief U.A.
Askett Hank Developments
Audeh Enterprises Ltd SAL
Audi Bank Saudi Arabia
Awal
Bab Al-Mustaqbal Co.
Bahrain Marina
Bahrain Tourism Company
Bakheet
Barclays Bank
Barwa Real Estate
Bashoura Holdings
Bawabat Al Shamal Real Estate Company WLL
BC Group
BCD Company
BDL Management
Benaa Jeddah Development and Real Estate Investment Co., Ltd
Bright Start
Brilliant Role Group
Cayan Investment & Development
Cairo Real Estate & Touristic Investments
CIG Corporation
Claremont Group
Daajan Real Estate Investment and Construction Co. Ltd.
Dallah Albarakah
Damac Real Estate
Daman Investments
Darusslaam Holdings Sendrian Berhad
Deloitte & Touche
Deutshe Hospitality
Deusthe Bank
Dohaland
DTZ
Dubai Pearl
Dubai Select
Dubai Real Estate Corporation
Dubai Investments
Elwan Group Limited
Elite Design & Engineering Consultancy
Emaar
Emaar Properties
Emirates Land Group
Enshaa PSC
EPG Hotels & Resorts
Essque Hotels and Resorts
European Bank for Reconstruction & Development
Europe Arab Bank
Fattal Holding
Fine Real Estate Investments
First Qatar Real Estate Development
Four Seasons
GILAF
GL International
Goodearth Hotels
Gulf East Trading and Contracting
Gulf Heights Investment Holdings
Gulf Real Estate Development House
Hampshire Hotels and Resorts
Hard Rock Hotels and Resorts
Hines
Horizon Holdings
Host Marriott Corporation
Hyatt Holdings UK Limited
Ibrahim and Mohamed Alzaben Company
IFA Hotels & Resorts
Inter Continental Hotels Group
International Hotels Establishment
International Management & Development
International Petroleum Investment Co.
Istithmar World
Jagal Group
Jnah Development SAL
JP Morgan
Jupiter Asset Management Limited
Jubran Holding
Kaas Investment Group
Kerzner International
KHotel Bahrain
Kingdom Holdings
Kingdom Hotel Investments Group
Kuwait Financial Centre Markaz
Kuwait Finance House
La Capital, Inc.
La Reine
Lehman Brothers
Link Global Group
Magnolia Quality Development Corporation
Mahmood Saeed Collective Company
Majid Al Futtaim
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Marafie Group
Marriott International
Mayaas Investment & Real Estate Co.
Middle East Development
Midrar Development Management
MIN Investments
Mubadala Development Company
Naas Springs Holding SAL
Nakheel Hotels
NAPCO Group of Companies
National Bank of Kuwait
National Trading and Developing Establishment
National Investor
Nobu Hospitality
Nuzul Holdings
Olayan Real Estate Company Limited
Olympiades Brussels Hotel SA
Omnix Group
Omniyat Property Development
ONYX Hospitality Singapore Private Limited
Perbadanan Tabung Amanah Islam Brunei
PLC Arabia
Premier Group WLL
Prime Consult
Profinance
PTW Architects
Qatar Foundation
Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company
QHC Architects and Engineers
Real Estate Services Group
ReeMoon Real Estate Development
Regency Group
Rimal Investment Projects LLC
Roll Post Limited
Rotana Hotel Management
Royal Bank of Scotland
Royal Monot SAL
Saleh Abdul Aziz Al- Rajhi & Partners Co. Ltd.
Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana
Samsung, Korea
Saudi BinLadin Group
Saudi Brothers Commercial Company
Saudi Real Estate Company (Al Akaria)
S.D.B Ltd.
Shanghai Arabian Electromechanical
Sheikh Selim Kheireddine
SHUAA Capital Saudi Arabia
SHUAA Partners
Sixth of October for Development & Investment Co.
Sobha Developers
Society Holeliere Internationale de Roissy SNC
Sokouk Holding
Sorouh
Standard Chartered Bank
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Studio Daniel Libeskind
St. Regis Cairo
Sundus Investment Projects LLC
Sunset Hotel Group
Taj Hotels and Resorts
Tamkeen Holding
Tasameem Project Management
Telopea Capital Partners
The Amman Institute for Urban Development
The Claridges Hotels & Resorts
The National Investor
The Raven Group
THR-International Tourism Consultants
Tiara Hotels and Resorts
Time Machine Group
Tourism Development & Investment Co.
Trans Orient Hotels
Triton Middle East
UBS
United Real Estate Company
Univest Group
Virtus Holding
Wasl
Westmont Hospitality Group
Xenel Industries
Zaya
Zones Corp
Zoo and Aquarium Public Institute in Al Ain
Zubair Corporation

My Articles

Hotel Valuation Index Middle East 2019

We are thrilled to share the first issue of the Middle East Hotel Valuation Index (HVI) which provides insight on regional values and investment opportunities.

• April 9, 2019 By Hala Matar Choufany

2017 Middle East Hotel Survey – Chaos, Consolidation & Opportunity

The region continues to face distraught; dwindling economic conditions, changing demographics and source markets, and a saturation of luxury hotels pose an opportunity for developers to build mid-market.

• May 10, 2017 By Hala Matar Choufany , Aaron Laurie

2016 Middle East Hotel Survey

As a result of the historically low oil price, geopolitical instability and weak global economic recovery, the regional economic growth decelerated in 2015. Nonetheless, the MENA remains one of the fastest growing regions worldwide.

• May 2, 2016 By Hala Matar Choufany , Cristina A Zegrea

Middle East Hotel Development Cost Trends

This report presents the trends in hotel development costs across key markets in the Middle East. It highlights the current development costs for different hotel classifications and discusses the various factors that affect changes in these costs.

• March 31, 2014 By Hala Matar Choufany , Yasin Munshi

• Hotel Investments & Ownership , Development & Construction , Valuations & Market Studies , Architecture & Interior Design

Doha In Focus Welcoming FIFA World Cup 2022

The 2022 World Cup commitments & the 2030 National Plan vision, Doha’s hospitality sector continues to undergo major transformation. The article provides an in-depth overview of Doha hotel market, incorporating a performance forecast up to 2016.

• November 4, 2013 By Hala Matar Choufany , Cristina A Zegrea

In Focus: Muscat

After reaching the milestone of 1 billion US$ generated revenue in 2012, Oman’s tourism sector has much to look forward to in the upcoming years, particularly with the development of major projects such as the Omagine,The Wave, Jebel Sifah and OCEC.

• October 1, 2013 By Hala Matar Choufany , Cristina A Zegrea

Here Comes Kurdistan!

The Kurdistan Region is a federated region in Northern Iraq consisting of three main governorates, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok.

• September 16, 2013 By Hala Matar Choufany , Amir Lababedi

• Valuations & Market Studies , Travel & Tourism , Economic Trends and Cycles

In Focus: Ras Al Khaimah

Strategically located within proximity of major routes between Asia and Europe, Ras Al Khaimah has witnessed rapidly accelerating economic growth during recent years, with the hospitality sector reaching new milestones year on year.

• August 21, 2013 By Hala Matar Choufany , Cristina A Zegrea

2013 Middle East Hotel Survey Maximum Supportable Investments

The 2013 Middle East Hotel Survey provides market aggregate, key performance indicators reinforcing the resilience of the region, moreover offering investors an indication of maximum supportable development costs when undertaking hotel investments.

• May 13, 2013 By Hala Matar Choufany , Rico Picenoni

• Development & Construction , Valuations & Market Studies , Travel & Tourism , Economic Trends and Cycles , Hotel Brands , Hotel Companies

Dubai Under the Microscope

Recent macroeconomic figures suggest a growth in GDP resulting in further strengthening of the country’s economy. The Dubai hotel market witnessed a significant increase in performance wherein some submarkets recorded double-digit RevPAR growth.

• May 6, 2013 By Hala Matar Choufany , Hitesh J Gandhi , Louis Abi Abboud

Cairo Sharm El Sheikh Before and After

Cairo Sharm El Sheikh, Before and After examines the episode between 2011 and 2012. The hospitality sector in Egypt endured the backlash and the repercussions of the infamously titled Arab Spring, with the hotel sector being one of the hardest hit.

• February 25, 2013 By Hala Matar Choufany , Rico Picenoni

• Hotel Operations , Travel & Tourism , Economic Trends and Cycles , Resorts

GCC 2012 A Region in Review

2012 was a year of change, from an economic, political and social perspective. Newly elected and re-elected leaders sought to reform and revive, while international visitation fluctuated as a result of the rehabilitation of certain destinations.

• January 21, 2013 By Hala Matar Choufany , Rico Picenoni

• Travel & Tourism , Economic Trends and Cycles

In Focus: Al-Khobar

Evolving visitation trends and positive growth in Al-Khobar's hotel market present strong investment opportunities in underdeveloped asset classes such as budget hotels and quality branded serviced apartments.

• November 13, 2012 By Hala Matar Choufany , Zaid Al-Qasim

In Focus: Seychelles

Continued involvement from the Seychelles Tourism Board and limited supply in the pipeline will enable the Seychelles hotel market to rebound in 2012 from contractions witnessed in preceding years.

• November 9, 2012 By Hala Matar Choufany , Hitesh J Gandhi

In Focus: Jeddah

Ambitious investments in tourism infrastructure and the continued development of the Jeddah leisure and commercial areas will allow the hotel market to perform well throughout the rest of 2012/2013 and in the near future.

• October 4, 2012 By Hala Matar Choufany , Louis Abi Abboud