Technology entertains Mid East hospitality surge

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Taking place at Dubai International Exhibition Centre on 27-29 April, and now the region's largest entertainment and integrated technology show, PALME has an impressive exhibitor portfolio that boasts industry icons such as AMX, Dutco Tannant, Sanyo, Christie, Extron, NEC, Martin Professional, Bose, Tannoy, Adamson Pro, Robe, Clay Paky, MA Lighting, Vogels and Barco, while a Smart Residential Area will be supervised by Eon, distributors of the Philips Pronto.

Exhibition Director, Alexander Heuff, claims technology companies involved in the hospitality and residential sectors are backing the show in increasing numbers.

'Nearly 200 individual projects worth a total of more than $90bn in hotels, resorts, spas, sports facilities, malls, marinas, theme parks and related leisure and tourism facilities are currently under construction in the region.'

'Our marketing strategy to position PALME as host to three complementary vertical industry events, has paid handsome dividends. Now clearly defined sectors covering events (EVENT 360), infrastructure (INSTALL) and entertainment (MUSAC) justify their own dedicated areas. Currently some 80% of available space has already been sold,' he confirmed.

The bulk of development is centred on Dubai and the UAE with $70bn currently committed to hotel and tourism related developments. Dubailand, a fully-featured entertainment city divided into six theme worlds forms the primary local interest. This will be completed over four phases, the first of which will be completed in 2010. Already operational are Dubai Autodrome, The Global Village and Al Sahra Desert Resort.

However the rest of the Arabian Gulf is also investing heavily in hospitality projects. Bahrain is investing nearly $1.5bn in new hotel-resorts, spas and expanding existing facilities such as the Bahrain International Circuit, home of the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

In Oman, hotel room capacity is set to double by 2012 with mixed tourism developments such as the $805m Wave development project. Other projects in the pipeline include hotels, marinas, shopping centres, golf courses and exhibition centres.

Qatar is investing nearly $4bn in a series of hotels and tourism-related developments, such as the mixed-use US$2.5 billion Pearl Qatar.

Throughout the region massive residential building programmes are also underway, with Saudi Arabia and Dubai leading the charge in terms of volume and technology. The acceleration in smart building enabled projects are only just keeping pace with the region's insatiable demand for cutting-edge technology, which in many developments is now a prerequisite.

'The knock-on effect for entertainment & integrated technology companies from the massive development plans throughout the Middle East is phenomenal,' concluded Heuff.