Middle East spending Dhs272bn a year on health and wellness

Well known international companies specializing in Wellness and Spa products and services are tapping into the demand created by these awareness campaigns, by exhibiting in the upcoming Wellness and Spas Middle East exhibition, from June 7 to 9, 2009, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Some prominent exhibitors at this year's edition of Wellness and Spas Middle East include Technogym Emirates LLC from UAE; Gammaco Co. Ltd and Thai Spa and Natural Co. Ltd from Thai-land; Berrywell from Germany; CRIOMED Ltd from Ukraine; Ener-getix from Denmark; AMN/Monique Mathieu, UBI France, Centre Silouette/Bien Vivre from France; and Iskra Medical d.o.o from Slovenia.

Growth in the wellness industry is seeing tremendous expansion and is expected to double in the next two years. It was estimated that people in the Middle East are spending Dhs272bn (US$74) billion a year on health and wellness.

In the UAE, there has been an increase of seven per cent in the number of people registering in gyms for physical fitness training, a modest but substantial increase compared to the 30% increase in Western countries.

Health awareness campaigns are launched regularly in the UAE in recent years, notable are those spearheaded by the Ministry of Health held jointly with the Abu Dhabi's Imperial College Diabetes Centre (ICLDC) which stages a walkathon during, and by Tefal's "Nutritious and Delicious" campaign in the UAE and Gulf countries to promote healthy eating and proper nutrition.

Being unique in the Middle East, Wellness and Spas Middle East is no regular trade show, but rather a platform gathering everything and everyone around wellbeing, healthcare and fitness.

Wellness and Spas Middle East gathers international Spa and Fitness Club operators & professionals, Hotel operators and Architects & Designers. It brings to you the world's leading manufacturers with their latest in products and equipment from Day Spa treatment cabins to Body Toners.