Hotels to spend $37bn on interior fit-outs by 2010

While the Arabian Gulf construction boom may be reaching a peak, the world's major suppliers of furniture, fixtures and fittings to hotels and resorts are descending on Dubai in pursuit of multi-billion dollar contracts, according to industry experts.

"They are chasing contracts worth a cumulative total across the region in excess of $37bn for fit-outs between now and 2010," according to The Hotel Show director Maggie Moore. The Hotel Show, which takes place at the Dubai International Conference and Exhibition Centre on 24-26 May 2009 is the region's leading showcase for hotel and resort suppliers.

"The peak in construction projects across the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries comes at the end of an aggressively steep three-year climb. But as the initial construction phase slows down, budgets for the interior fitting out of hotels and resorts kick in and are set to increase tenfold across the region by 2010,"she added

Database analysis by The Hotel Show research partner Proleads shows that, led by development in the United Arab Emirates, spending across the GCC on hotel and resort fit-outs, including furniture and fixtures, electrical, kitchen and laundry equipment, sanitary and light fittings and garbage disposal systems, is on track to hit a cumulative total in excess of $37bn between now through to 2010.

Moore, said:

"The massive increase is led by the UAE where spending on hotel fit-outs is set to hit $2bn this year, much of which is in Dubai. But even this figure will rise steeply in 2009 to $12bn and $17bn by 2010 - a cumulative total of $31bn as more projects near completion."

She added: "It is no wonder that exhibitors are clamouring for floor space at The Hotel Show. There is clearly enormous existing and potential demand for furniture, flooring and wall coverings, lighting and art, accessories and window products, textiles, ceramics, kitchen and bathroom furniture and interior design services."

The Hotel Show offers hospitality professionals a comprehensive showcase of essential products, services and technologies for all aspects of the hotel, catering and leisure sector.