The Hotel Show, the Middle East's leading supplies exhibition to the region’s burgeoning hospitality and leisure sectors, will cover 7 halls and over 13,000 exhibition space at The International Exhibition Centre when it opens on 3rd June 2007. This represents 25 per cent growth over last year, and the organizers, dmg world media Dubai, are confident that this industry showcase will go on to break other records in terms of visitor numbers. The show will run from 3 – 5 June.
“This year we will host over 800 exhibitors from more than 46 countries. The regional hospitality industry is in such dynamic mood, that our earlier projections for 2007 will now not only be realised, but exceeded,” commented Maggie Moore, Exhibition Director of The Hotel Show.
The size and number of country pavilions has grown enormously, with Egypt, Thailand, Philippines, Cyprus, Greece, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, USA, Malta and the UK all participating, with unofficial groups from Italy, Turkey and Australia. Germany has the largest pavilion covering 974 square metres for 56 exhibitors, followed by Spain with 877square metres (27 exhibitors), Italy with 839 square metres (26 exhibitors) and Turkey with 672 square metres (19 exhibitors).
Visitor numbers have increased exponentially over the last two years. In 2005 the show attracted 8,124 visitors, and 2006 saw 11,500 trade visitors and decision makers at the show. This year, dmg World Media Dubai Ltd, the organizers, are confidently expecting even more visitors based on the interest already shown and the requests for visitor tickets already received. Visitor profiles will include regional owner-operators and developers, procurement specialists, architects and interior designers, and, key decision makers from international hotel, club, and restaurant chains.
Traditionally almost half of registered visitors arrive from outside the UAE, clearly indicating the mounting international interest in the event, especially from Kuwait, Iran and Western Europe. Indeed it has been the enhanced quality of visitors that has contributed towards the success of the show, with Managing Directors and General Managers accounting for over a third of the total visitors, giving exhibitors access to key decision makers, boosting their on-site orders and providing quality sales leads.
This year the show will premiere its technology, systems and security pavilion. With technology playing an increasing role in the hospitality industry, it was decided to dedicate a hi-tech area following consultation and feedback from both exhibitors and visitors at last year’s show. Staying with technology, the show has introduced a B2B section on their website in order to facilitate meetings during the event, between exhibitors and visitors.
Due to the outstanding success last year of the inaugural Seven Star Conference, the programme this year has been extended and includes a cultural awareness seminar to assist exhibitors from outside of the region, or indeed new to the area, to understand better the way that business is conducted in the Middle East. This could mean the difference between winning or losing a contract.
Minimalist contemporary designer Karim Rashid will once again feature, this time in the context of the show itself. In conjunction with DEPA United Group, he will be presenting a concept hotel bedroom that will take centre stage at the show.
