THE upcoming Hotel Show, is set for 20 per cent growth over last year and organisers DMG world media Dubai are confident the industry showcase will go on to break more records in terms of visitor numbers.
This year’s event will cover nine halls and more than 17,000 sq m of exhibition space when it runs from 8 to 10 June at Dubai International Exhibition Centre.
“This year we will host more than 800 exhibitors from in excess of 46 countries,' said Maggie Moore, exhibition director. 'The regional hospitality industry is in dynamic mode and our early projections are not only being realised but exceeded,' she added.
A recent Hotel Benchmark Survey showed the Middle East hotel industry as one of the fastest growing regions in the world, exceeding both Asia Pacific and Europe with a promising outlook for the years to come.
The Hotel Show and its associated Seven Star Conference provide a future perspective on key trends and drivers shaping the travel and tourism sector in a region.
The size and number of country pavilions at this year's show has grown enormously. Brazil, Cyprus, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Malta, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, the UK and the USA are all mounting pavilions. The largest will be that of Spain, covering 1143 sq m, followed by Germany (984 sq m), Italy (898 sq m) and France (852 sq m).
Visitors to The Hotel Show include the region’s key managing directors, general managers and hotel operators, purchasing managers, architects, designers, consultants, agents, distributors and developers. And numbers have been increasing exponentially - in 2005 the show attracted 8,124 visitors, 2006 saw 11,500 trade visitors and decision makers at the show and in 2007 event attracted 14,289 visitors, a 22.7 per cent increase on the previous year.
With in excess of 100 different categories of systems being used by hotels, the importance of technology across the hospitality industry will be on display at an enlarged Technology and Security pavilion.
Another new addition for The Hotel Show 2008 is a dedicated sector that focuses on textile, with the leading companies from around the world participating. A showcase of fabrics for all applications, including upholstery and curtains, the new Textile and Editeurs Pavilion adds another dimension to the event.