Beautyworld Middle East, and Wellness & Spas Middle East to open today

The events will be host to leading manufacturers, suppliers of beauty equipment, cosmetics, fragrance and beauty products, wellness and spa products, and fitness services and equipment, with an expected 15,000 visitor attendance from 100 countries.

'The Middle East cosmetics and personal care sector has grown 12% annually over the past three years, with sales valued at Dhs7.70bn ($2.1bn) in 2007,' said Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organizers of Beautyworld Middle East, and Wellness and Spas Middle East. 'The figures reveal that the society of the Middle East puts a premium on appearance, skin care, and beauty and grooming; areas that are increasingly an important concern for both women and men.

'In fact, the consumption of cosmetics and perfumes in the region is ranked among the highest per capita worldwide, with an average purchase per head of around Dhs1,225 annually, and the beauty market worth more than Dhs1.49bn ($408m) in retail sale,' said Andrea Werner, Senior Show Manager of Beautyworld Middle East. 'An added feature to this year's exhibition aside from the very popular Walk of Beauty and the nail competition will be the make up competition, and seminars and workshops - 'The interactive Beauty and Wellness experience'.'

Adding to the allure and glamour of Dubai as a shopping and business hub is the added recognition of being awarded by the internationally prestigious Leading Hotels of the World group. The acknowledgment reflects Dubai's status as one of the first choice destinations for travelers who are seeking for a healthy break, or a relaxing period of rest and rejuvenation.

Dubai's spa facilities have been found to be amongst the best in the world,' says Ms. Elaine O'Connell, Senior Show Manager of Wellness & Spas Middle East. ' Out of the four spa destinations across the whole of the Middle East listed as being of a world class standard, three were found in Dubai. We are anticipating that the city's spas will become a yearly fixture on the list, as the emirate already has one of the highest concentrations of spas per capita across the globe.'

Ms. O'Connell added the global market for fitness equipment is expected to surpass AED 44 billion by 2010, stimulated by demand from homes, hotels, schools, universities, organizations' and corporations' fitness clubs, health centers, golf courses and cruise ships amongst others.

'The fitness equipment industry is going through a period of explosive growth, and Wellness & Spas Middle East attracts buyers, investors, purchasers, developers, owners and industry professionals from hotels/resorts, wellness centers, clinics, health & fitness clubs, leisure centre's, and hypermarkets amongst others.'

According to recent research, for every Dhs5 spent on wellness programs, employers can expect a return of up to Dhs50 through lower medical insurance claims, reduced days off due to sickness, and improved productivity amongst other factors.

True to the reputation of Beautyworld Middle East as the largest, and an important event in the Middle East calendar, for this sector; the seminars, fashion show, nail and make-up competitions are a winning formula to not just educate the industry, but they also showcase the exciting element of glamorous catwalk, and display of creativity by both nail technicians and stylists in the region.

Wellness and Spas Middle East, and Beautyworld Middle East, are the region's most popular cosmetics, personal care, spas solutions, and fitness exhibitions, now in its 13th year. It will host 850 exhibitors representing 1,650 brands from 50 countries. There will also be 31 country pavilions. With the increased number of participating companies at the show, the product range on display is expected to be phenomenal. For the first time manufacturers from South Africa and Philippines will attend the show, increasing the presence of international companies at the Wellness and Spas Middle East event.

Valley of the Sun Cosmetics from the US will showcase their skin care, slimming, hair care and hygiene products; while to cater to Asian women wishing to have a fair complexion. Biolandes of France will be exhibiting natural extracts. Creative Nail Designs and Momentum Beauty Products of the UAE will be presenting nail enhancements, nail care products, spa manicure/pedicure, nail implements and other accessories. The Brazilian beauty industry will be presenting products that combine technological innovation and sustainable practices.

Amongst the companies exhibiting this year at Wellness & Spas Middle East are the most advanced wellness, skin care products and therapies used by many advanced spas in the world. Beauty Leaders LLC. will be displaying an array of facial creams and skin care products; Promoitalia Group will be promoting their wellness treatment machines as well as beauty aesthetics and anti-aging equipment; Amico will have its IPL for hair removal and LED therapy; Sybaritic Inc. will demonstrate their Dermalite, Spa Jet, Slim line and laser peel; Ros Estetica Sl. will feature their Thermo insulation and ultra sound products, Body treatment and Spa, and Imdad FZCO will demonstrate Lipomassage, Variable Pulsed Light, Meso Delivery without needles, Skin Test System, Massage, Treatment tables, and Pedi Spa.