The Hotel Show checks hospitality pulse

"There is little doubt the regional hospitality industry has moved into unchartered territory. But being no strangers to periodic downturns, hospitality professionals will be looking for the opportunities that challenging times present," said Maggie Moore, Exhibition Director of The Hotel Show. "This is reinforced by the fact that pre-registrations for the show this year are 40%t up on year, at nearly 6,000," she added.

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

The Hotel Show takes place across halls one to seven and Sheikh Rashid Hall at the Dubai World Trade Centre until 26 May 2009 and hosts 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.

Important changes have been introduced for this year's event, the most significant being the four major product and services sectors within the show. The sectors are: Interiors and Design; Operating Equipment and Supplies; Security and Technology; and The Resort Experience.

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 running alongside The Hotel Show will have an emphasis on design trends, sustainability, future technologies and marketing for profitability.