Dubai set to become the no. 1 spa destination in the world

The spa and wellness industry is taking the area by storm, as both residents and tourists avail themselves of the vast array of health and wellness facilities on offer and increasingly recognize the importance of taking time out to relax from their ever more hectic lifestyles.

Ms. Susan M. Amin, Exhibitions Manager at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, organizers of the region's biggest industry event the Wellness and Spas show, confirmed that there were a number of reasons why this area of the leisure market was enjoying such levels of popularity and growth.

"Firstly, there is the population of the Middle East itself, which is rapidly increasing year on year. Workers in the region enjoy tax free salaries and many of them have a high level of disposable income. Couple this to the ever increasing level of importance placed on grooming, health and appearance and it is hardly surprising that the growth of the wellness industry has been so vast,"

she says.

"Dubai and the Middle East are leading the world when it comes to leisure and business facilities and the spa industry is no exception. Not only has Dubai become one of the world's top tourist destinations, but also a destination for many major high class spas like the Six Senses Spa and Angsana Spa among others. It is expected that the growth in the number of luxury hotels containing health and spa facilities will increase by as much as 17% per year.

Ms. Amin's confidence is underlined by the statistics. Studies show that the UAE region has one of the world's fastest growing populations - rising at around 6% annually - with per capita annual income reaching over $20,000.

Dubai is also promoting itself heavily as a holiday destination and aims to increase the number of tourist and business visitors to 15 million by 2010. To cope with this demand, an unprecedented number of luxury hotels are being built and appointed with spa complexes. It is expected that the growth in the number of establishments offering such amenities will increase by as much as 17% per year and by 2015, Dubai will be amongst the top spa destinations in the world, with potentially more than 200 hotels containing world class facilities.

It is estimated that 80% of the 4.3 million persons living in the UAE are expatriates. This has resulted in a very young population and a very low number of age 60+ individuals. The outcome is that a very high fraction of the population are willing to spend money on beauty, wellness and leisure/fitness activities to keep fit and in shape - a fact that is reflected in the soaring sales at UAE gymnasiums. Total fitness equipment sales in the UAE alone amounted to US$ 27.44 million in 2004 with a 25 % market share for U.S. exporters. Since there are no local sports equipment manufacturers, all sports and fitness equipments have to be imported. In the UAE, fitness centres are found in sports clubs, hotels, gymnasiums, municipal facilities and residential complexes.

Dubai has been quick to recognize and capitalize on the health and wellness industry; the current regional spend on healthcare being US$74 billion.

The emirate has created Dubai Healthcare City, a vast area of medical facilities, 50% of which will be zoned as the Wellness Cluster.

To cater for the demand for this burgeoning demand this increasing popularity of the leisure arena, the International Trade Fair for the Professional Spa and Wellness Industry will run from 20-22 May, 2007 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre and is expected to grow by 42% from 2006.

The 2006 event attracted 748 exhibitors and 8225 visitors and was deemed an overwhelming success, with a staggering 98% of visitors polled saying that they will revisit the exhibition next year. Ms. Amin believes that next year's event will be the best yet. "We are aiming to showcase Dubai as the premier destination for anybody seeking a recuperating break," she says. Judging by this year's response, they will have a very busy time.