The Hotel Show checks hospitality pulse

"There is little doubt that the regional hospitality industry has moved into unchartered territory. Being no strangers to periodic downturns the region's hospitality professionals will be looking for the opportunities that these challenging times may well present,"

said Maggie Moore, Exhibition Director of The Hotel Show.

"Therefore at this juncture, the show provides a unique opportunity to take the pulse of the regional industry," she added.

"We are, quite naturally perhaps, already seeing a greater emphasis being placed throughout the industry on finding ways to improve margins and maximise revenue opportunity - particularly with an eye to eventual recovery. Hoteliers will no doubt be on the look out for products and services which offer greater efficiency at lower cost."

The Hotel Show will take place across halls one to seven and Sheikh Rashid Hall at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 24-26 May 2009 and host the latest products, services and technologies from all aspects of the hospitality and leisure sector.

With exhibitors from 48 countries, companies based in the United Arab Emirates head the top 20 list of exhibitors followed by those from France, Italy, Germany, Cyprus, Greece, Thailand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States of America, China, Turkey, Belgium, Pakistan, India, Taiwan, Philippines, Australia and Brazil.

"Our previous surveys have shown that more than 60% of our visitors place orders onsite or as a direct result of attending The Hotel Show," Moore added. "While no doubt negotiations may be tougher this year, we still see substantial business being transacted," she said.

"We have also introduced some important changes for this year's event based on our feedback from visitor and exhibitor surveys, the most significant being the four major product and services sectors within the show."

The sectors are:

- Interiors & Design for furniture, furnishings, accessories and design services, incorporating a new Hotel Looks area that will include products for the highest end of the hospitality market.

- Operating Equipment & Supplies will include the best food and beverage, housekeeping and back of house product and equipment. It will also feature the Corporate Catwalk for hospitality sector uniforms and clothing alongside the Student Design Award gallery of entries for local universities.

- Security & Technology is a section that continues to grow as the importance of technology within hotels increases. Advances in in-room technology will feature along with technological innovations and the importance of energy conservation and waste reduction.

- The Resort Experience will cover all things outdoor; including furniture, accessories and design. The Hotel Show 2009 also sees the launch of the first Middle East Spa Summit, addressing issues and trends in spa treatments as well as design, environmental impact, human resources, management and operations topics. Spa equipment and supplies will therefore take a more prominent position in the Resort Experience.

The Seven Star Conference, an established event running alongside The Hotel Show will in 2009 have an emphasis on design trends, sustainability, future technologies and marketing for profitability.