German, UAE manufacturers bid for share of lucrative new business at The Hotel Show

Visitors to the The Hotel Show 2002, taking place at Airport Expo Dubai from May 20 to 22, will include developers and representatives behind plans to build more than 140 luxury hotels and resorts within the next three to five years, creating 34,000 more hotel rooms in the Middle East.

High on their priority list will be beds, and the need to ensure a good night's sleep for increasingly demanding guests. After successfully securing significant orders at last year's show, UAE-based Restonic is hoping the exhibition will bring in more sound business.

The company has confirmed that it will be highlighting its Grand Palais Collection, which includes Chapelle, a French-designed "No-Flip, No-Turn Mattress". With its combination of pocket spring and visco elastic foam, it never sags or needs turning, according to general manager, Yousif Kooheji.

"Suppliers specialising in all areas of hotel room decoration and furnishing have a perfect opportunity catch the attention of hotel designers, developers, and owners," said Joanne Evans, director of Streamline Marketing, organisers of the three-day exhibition.

German manufacturer Muhldorfer, producers of down, feather and fibrefilling quilts and pillows, returns to the Dubai show aiming to build on the series of orders which resulted from its participation in last year's event.

Another UAE manufacturer, the Royal Palace Group of Companies, will be using the exhibition to introduce the Middle East hotel trade to its own range of sofa and bedding. The company also imports and exports wholesale and retail hotel, office and domestic furniture.

Foreign participation in The Hotel Show has been boosted recently by the announcement of strong official endorsement by the British, American and Northern Irish trade authorities, including direct grants for British exhibitors.