Official Hotel Guide International (OHGI) says inward investment into Dubai's Palm Island project will ensure continued growth in the emirate's hospitality sector but will also lead to increased competition. OHGI, produced by the UK-headquartered North Star, is predicting growth in its own Middle East business.
"Investment in projects like Palm Island will ensure continued growth in the hotel sector but will also lead to stiffer competition between existing hotels," said Duncan A. Raitt, OHGI regional sales manager.
”Arabian Travel Market 2001 was a very successful event for us and as a direct result, the number of regional hotels present in OHGI has increased by 24 percent," said Raitt. "We predict continued growth during 2002 and are now closely monitoring the Middle East where a dedicated regional office is always a possibility.”
Arabian Travel Market 2002 will be held at the Airport Expo Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from May 7-10. Exhibitors from 35 countries so far contracted for Arabian Travel Market 2002, which is organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE).
RTE says despite the international travel downturn it expects this year's event to match its record 2001 showing when over 700 exhibitors from 59 countries participated and over 10,000 people, including 6,336 trade professionals visited.
RTE, which is part of Reed Exhibition Companies (REC), organizes 11 events worldwide, including World Travel Market, Arabian Travel Market, C.I.S. Travel Market, EIBTM, British Travel Trade Fair, PATA Travel Mart, International Golf Travel Market, Mediterranean Travel Fair, Top Resa, AIME and ICCA Exhibition in association with ICCA Congress.
REC events are held in 29 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia/Pacific and are organized by 30 offices. REC's portfolio of over 440 events serves 49 industries in 12 key sectors. As a member of the Reed Elsevier Plc Group, an international business and information provider, REC offers integrated market access programs covering exhibitions, trade publications, direct marketing and the Internet. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
