40% more visitors check out $6 billion Hotel Show

The Hotel Show 2011, the region’s premier tradeshow for the industry, which took place at the Dubai World Trade Centre on 17-19 May, has just released its key performance indicators which reveal a significant 40% increase in visitor numbers year-on-year.

The attendance figures which are to be audited by US-based BPA Worldwide reflect the buoyant industry mood throughout the region. The total number of visitors was in excess of 14,800 compared with 10,500 in 2010 an increase of 4,300 or 40%.  

“More importantly, 38% of visitors were looking for new suppliers this year and more than 28% of those surveyed placed orders in excess of one million dollars,” said Frederique Maurell, Exhibition Director, The Hotel Show.

Industry analysts estimate $6 billion worth of hotel-related projects mainly in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE are due for completion within the next two years, in a concerted effort to diversify their economies away from hydrocarbon receipts.

“This is the perfect platform to talk to professionals from the area who are too busy to travel to Europe. It’s a good place to come and source materials for Middle East projects,” said Roberto Garcia, Sales Area Manager, Andreu World from Spain.

Companies representing 420 brands from more than 45 countries occupied 20,000 square metres of exhibition space, covering operating equipment and supplies, interiors and design, outdoor and resort experience and security and technology.

Germany had the largest country pavilion this year, which was an impressive 600 square metres and accommodating 29 exhibiting companies. This was followed by Turkey, France, Italy, Cyprus, China, Thailand, Belgium, Spain, Portugal and the UK.

One British exhibitor, Eric Swithenbank, Sales & Marketing Manager, Portable Floormaker, concurred with the regional growth potential of the market: “We know there’s a huge market out here, so [participation in] The Hotel Show  was an attractive proposition. The quality of visitors coming to the stand has been excellent and there’s been a lot of interest in the product.”

The inaugural HITT 2011 ran alongside the exhibition attracting over 100 delegates. HITT’s primary focus was innovation and trends in technology. Expert speakers included, Guido de Wilde, VP & Regional Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts; Michael Scully, MD Hospitality, Seven Tides; Marc Dardenne, CEO, Emaar Hospitality, plus representatives from the Government of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

“The Hotel Show is all about variety, understanding the latest innovations and where the industry is going. The other aspect is listening to the experts in the industry explaining what is the latest and what the trends are at the conference session,” said Michael Scully, Managing Director – Hospitality at Dubai-based Seven Tides.

Other show highlights included, the Middle East Spa Awards, The Student Design Gallery and Awards, the Corporate Catwalk, the Industry Association Meetings (Emirates Culinary Guild, The Housekeepers Association, The Front Office Association) as well as a key buyers programme which attracted 500 key buyers who all had one thing in common, they were representing projects valued at over one million dollars.

The official platinum sponsor this year was Al Aqili Furnishings. The Dubai Government Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) also entered into an agreement with dmg::events in Dubai the organisers of The Hotel Show to become strategic partners for this year’s hospitality showcase.

The Hotel Show 2012 will now take place from 15-17 May at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

For more information about The Hotel Show visit www.thehotelshow.com.