Alain B Debare
Partner, Head of Investments and Asset Management - Middle East & Africa
Partner, Head of Investments & Asset Management | HVS Middle East & Africa
Alain Debare is a Partner at HVS Middle East & Africa and leads the firm’s Investment and Asset Management practice. With over 30 years of global experience in hospitality operations, real estate investment and asset performance strategy, Alain supports clients in unlocking long-term value across their hotel portfolios.
His work spans asset management, operator negotiations, investment structuring and transaction support, drawing on a career that includes senior leadership roles at Hilton and Mandarin Oriental, as well as real estate fund management and IPO execution. At Hilton, he rose through the ranks from F&B operations to General Management in Europe and South America. Later, at Action Hotels PLC, he played a key role in developing a portfolio of 15 hotels and managing its IPO on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Joining Equitativa in 2018, Alain managed various real estate portfolios totaling over USD 1 billion. Alain brings a rare combination of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise to his advisory engagements.
At HVS, Alain works closely with owners, investors and funds to enhance asset value, streamline portfolio performance and align operations with investment goals. He provides guidance across all stages of ownership - from acquisition and development to repositioning and divestment.
He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Hotel Management from Institut Paul Bocuse – IGL Lyon, along with a certification in Hospitality Investments from Cornell University. Alain brings a commercially focused, data-driven approach to every engagement.
The Evolution of Hotel Management Agreements: Adapting to a Value-Focused Market in the Middle East and Africa
Hotel owners across the Middle East and Africa are taking a more selective approach to management agreements, with greater focus on brand contribution, total costs and asset-level returns. Franchise, third-party management and hybrid models are becoming more relevant as markets mature. Future agreements will require stronger performance alignment, clearer governance and greater flexibility as assets move through renewal, reinvestment and repositioning.
Alain B Debare
Partner, Head of Investments and Asset Management - Middle East & Africa
Partner, Head of Investments & Asset Management | HVS Middle East & Africa
Alain Debare is a Partner at HVS Middle East & Africa and leads the firm’s Investment and Asset Management practice. With over 30 years of global experience in hospitality operations, real estate investment and asset performance strategy, Alain supports clients in unlocking long-term value across their hotel portfolios.
His work spans asset management, operator negotiations, investment structuring and transaction support, drawing on a career that includes senior leadership roles at Hilton and Mandarin Oriental, as well as real estate fund management and IPO execution. At Hilton, he rose through the ranks from F&B operations to General Management in Europe and South America. Later, at Action Hotels PLC, he played a key role in developing a portfolio of 15 hotels and managing its IPO on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Joining Equitativa in 2018, Alain managed various real estate portfolios totaling over USD 1 billion. Alain brings a rare combination of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise to his advisory engagements.
At HVS, Alain works closely with owners, investors and funds to enhance asset value, streamline portfolio performance and align operations with investment goals. He provides guidance across all stages of ownership - from acquisition and development to repositioning and divestment.
He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Hotel Management from Institut Paul Bocuse – IGL Lyon, along with a certification in Hospitality Investments from Cornell University. Alain brings a commercially focused, data-driven approach to every engagement.
The Evolution of Hotel Management Agreements: Adapting to a Value-Focused Market in the Middle East and Africa
Hotel owners across the Middle East and Africa are taking a more selective approach to management agreements, with greater focus on brand contribution, total costs and asset-level returns. Franchise, third-party management and hybrid models are becoming more relevant as markets mature. Future agreements will require stronger performance alignment, clearer governance and greater flexibility as assets move through renewal, reinvestment and repositioning.