Hala Matar Choufany, ISHC

Experience

Hala Matar Choufany is the President for HVS -Middle East, Africa & South Asia; the only global consulting company focused solely on the hospitality industry.
 
Hala is an experienced Regional President and Managing Partner, an industry expert, and is recognized as one of the most influential leaders in the hospitality industry, notably in the Middle East and Africa region.
 
Hala has advised on more than 5,000 hospitality and mixed-use projects in the last 20 years across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. She has advised clients in areas such as Valuations, Acquisitions, Asset Management, Strategic investments and development, Contract Negotiations, and general Real Estate Strategic Advisory. 
 
Hala has authored more than 50 publications and speaks frequently at investment and hospitality related conferences on a range of topics including asset valuation, investments, management issues and women leadership.
 
In addition to being a Board Member of HVS Global, Hala sits on the Boards of Harvard Business School Club of the GCC, Hotel Investment Advisory Board, and is regularly invited to Boards as a subject matter expert in the industry. Hala is frequently invited to discuss hotel and tourism trends on major news channel including Alarabiya, Bloomberg, Abu Dhabi TV, Forbes, Breaking Travel News and CNN.
 
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’s previous work experience included stints with PWC, Arthur Anderson, Hard Rock International and the AL Kharafi Group, in London, Bahrain, Beirut and Kuwait.  In addition, Hala lectured at Norte Dame University on the subject of International Travel & Tourism
 
 

Success Stories

HVS Experience List in MEA

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

Member International Society of Hospitality Consultants, 2023- Current

Advisory Board Member of the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, 2018- Current

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

HVS Board Member 2016- Current

Vice President- Harvard Business School Club of the GCC- Current

Member of Women in the Workplace, 2019- Current

Hotelier Judges Award Committee Member, 2020

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

Advisory Board Member of the Serviced Apartments Summit 2015-Current

Chairman of the Best New Hotel Development Award, 2010

Speaking Engagements

Choufany, H.M. (2023, December 31). Hospitality in the Middle East [Video file]. In The Business & Management Collection, Henry Stewart Talks. Retrieved January 4, 2024, from https://hstalks.com/bm/5471/.

Future Hospitality Summit
Building Hotels in a Challenging Environment, Speaker, September 2023
Abu Dhabi, UAE

AHIF- Unlocking the Potential in Africa
Speaker, May 2023

Future Hospitality Summit, Riyadh
Key Issues for Owners and Operators to Consider in their HMA's
Speaker, May 2023
Riyadh, KSA


Hospitality Innovation Summit, Innovation with a Vision
Speaker, March 2023
Dubai, UAE


AHIF- Mixed Use Projects- A Boom for Hospitality Developers, Africa
Speaker- November 2022
Taghaout Bay, Morocco

Future Hospitality Summit- Third Party Management on the Rise
Speaker- September 2022
Dubai, UAE

Forbes- Hospitality 2.0- Transforming the Hotel and Tourism Industry in the Middle East
Speaker- September 2022
Online

GCC Hospitality Discussion, Alpen Capital
Speaker- August 2022
Online

Future Hospitality Summit- The Future of Hospitality Investment in Saudi Arabia
Speaker- May 2022
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Bloomberg- Powering Southern Africa's Recovery
Speaker- March 2022
Expo Dubai, UAE

Destination Tomorrow- Al Ahsa
Speaker, February 2022
Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Horeca Talks- Saudi
Speaker, November 2021
Online

WIH- Women Leadership Panel, March 2021

WiH- Choose to Challenge- Women's International Day, March 2021
Panel Discussion on Women Leadership and Senior Roles

Al Arabiya News Channel, March 2021- Arabic
Interview Hotel Recovery, Investment Opportunities and Market Dynamics 

Hospitality Tomorrow- Innovation, Leadership and Finding you Mojo, December 2020
Interview, Hospitality ME
HVS | Hospitality Tomorrow - Innovation, Leadership and Finding Your Mojo

TravTalk ME, November 2020
Interview, Hospitality ME
HVS | Redesigning Hospitality

Destination X Summit, RAK, November 2020
Assessing the Trends that Will Shape the Current Hospitality and Leisure Sector for Investments

Boston University, Boston, October 2020
Beyond Borders Panel The Global Hospitality Landscape 

Future Hospitality Summit, Riyadh G20, October 2020
Women Leadership
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpZKEasITZlS_MikOcxR5qhNCV9iAzFJ8
 
AHIC On the Road, Dubai, Septemeber 2020
The Journey to Alternative Management
https://hvs.com/article/8914-The-Journey-to-Alternative-Management


AHIC On the Road, Dubai, Septemeber 2020 
The Transformation of Management Articles 
https://hvs.com/article/8915-The-Transformation-of-Management-Agreements

HVS Global Hotel Performance & Values, September 2020
https://www.hvs.com/article/8884/opportunity-to-view-the-hvs-webinar-on-global-hotel/

Africa Hotel Investment Forum, Virtual July 2020 
Africa Traveller & Hotel Guest Sentiment Survey

AHIC, Virtual, Dubai, June 2020
Pains & Gains Hospitality in GCC 
https://www.hvs.com/article/8819-pains-and-gains-hospitality-in-gcc

Al Arabiya News Channel Interview, June 2020 (Arabic)
https://www.hvs.com/article/8816-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-hospitality-industry-in-gcc

Mahreq Bank Hospitality Webinar, May 20, 2020
The Way Ahead for the GCC Hospitality
White Paper Contribution to "Support the Collaboration between the private and public sector"

Hospitality Tomorrow2, Online Conference, May 12, 2020
Global Event, 2000+attendees
COVID-19 Beyond the Dust- Recovery Model for GCC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Jnt8NIM4M
Saudi Hotel Investment Conference 2020
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
“Women Leadership in GCC and the Middle East”

Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, 2019 
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates
“Valuation Workshop Middle East"
Release of the Hotel Valuation Index for 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 the last year? Where is the market heading? Where are the opportunities for investors in the tourism sector?" 
 
Arabian Hotel Investment Conference 2013
Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 
"The importance of defining a vision, how do 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

Awarded " Industry Excellence Award' by Horeca and Hospitality News Middle East, April 2024

Selected as " One of the 50 Most Influential Women in the Industry" by Hospitality News Middle East, August 2020.

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

Hospitality News Middle East, 2023
Africa on the Rise

Global Hospitality, 2023
100 Most Influential People in the Middle East Hospitality and Travel Industry

Breaking Travel News, 2023
Investment and Development Outlook, MEA

Abu Dhabi TV 2023
Outlook for the UAE and development opportunities

Forbes Middle East-  Transforming the Hotel and Tourism Industry in the Middle East, 2022

Bloomberg- Powering Southern Africa's Recovery- 2022

Alarabiya- News Channel- 2020, 2021

Bloomberg HT, 2020, 2021

CNN- Turk, 2019

Economist, 2018

Arabian Business

Hospitality News Middle East

Hotelier Middle East

Hotel News

Hospitality Net

Gulf News

Hotel Online

Breaking Travel News

Hospitality TV Channel


Multi-year recovery along with new opportunities for travel and hospitality sector: HVS, 2020

Focus: Breaking Journey Information investigates: HVS anticipates multi-speed international restoration, 2020

AHIC On the Road, Dubai, Septemeber 2020
The Journey to Alternative Management
https://hvs.com/article/8914-The-Journey-to-Alternative-Management


AHIC On the Road, Dubai, Septemeber 2020 
The Transformation of Management Articles 
https://hvs.com/article/8915-The-Transformation-of-Management-Agreements

HVS Global Hotel Performance & Values, September 2020
https://www.hvs.com/article/8884/opportunity-to-view-the-hvs-webinar-on-global-hotel/

Africa Hotel Investment Forum, Virtual July 2020 
Africa Traveller & Hotel Guest Sentiment Survey

AHIC, Virtual, Dubai, June 2020
Pains & Gains Hospitality in GCC 
https://www.hvs.com/article/8819-pains-and-gains-hospitality-in-gcc

Al Arabiya News Channel Interview, June 2020 (Arabic)
https://www.hvs.com/article/8816-impact-of-covid-19-on-the-hospitality-industry-in-gcc

Hospitality Tomorrow2, Online Conference, May 12, 2020
Global Event, 2000+attendees
COVID-19 Beyond the Dust- Recovery Model for GCC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Jnt8NIM4M

Youtube links:

Hospitality Tomorrow- Follow the Sun
Post COVID-19 Hospitality Market
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Jnt8NIM4M

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
Deutsche Hospitality
Deutsche 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
InterContinental 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
Masic
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
Marafie Group
Marriott International
Mayaas Investment & Real Estate Co.
Middle East Development
Midrar Development Management
Midroc
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

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