'Sustainable' Hotel Show opens tomorrow

The Hotel Show will feature a unique paperless Press office and recycled media lounge, made out of discarded materials, a Middle East first for the exhibition industry.

In addition, sustainability issues will be a consistent theme threaded throughout the Seven Star Conference which runs alongside the exhibition. Topics under discussion will include: design for the 21st Century - the sustainable building; the use of technology in the hotels of the future and the role of technology in avoiding waste.

In addition crucial issues such as the retention, motivation and development of staff; and the branding and marketing of food and beverage outlets will be explored. The conference has been extended to a third day because of overwhelming demand from industry professionals.

The Hotel Show organisers, dmg world media Dubai, confirmed more than 1,000 exhibitors from over 46 countries will be taking part in this year's show which runs until 10 June 2008 - an increase of over 25% compared with last year.

In 2007 the show attracted 10,086 dedicated trade visitors and the organisers predict another sell-out this year for the show which will cover nine halls and more than 17,500 square metres of exhibition space at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre.

"This is the largest of the hospitality trade fairs in the region aimed at designers, architects and hotel operators and managements," said Maggie Moore, Exhibition Director.

"But what makes The Hotel Show in Dubai particularly unique is its truly international participation with visitors coming from Europe, the Americas and Asia as well as the whole Middle East region."

"Managing directors and general managers account for over a third of total visitors, giving exhibitors access to key decision makers, boosting their on-site orders and providing quality sales leads," said Moore.

The size and number of country pavilions at this year's show has grown enormously. Brazil, Cyprus, Greece, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Malta, Pakistan, Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, the UK and the USA are all mounting pavilions. The largest will be that of Spain, followed by Germany, Italy and France.

With more than 100 different systems being used by hotels, the importance of technology in the hospitality industry will be on display at an enlarged Technology and Security pavilion. Another addition for 2008 is a pavilion focused on textile, with leading companies from around the world participating. There will also be an industry fashion show, The Corporate Catwalk, featuring new styles and developments in hospitality uniforms.