Pre-registrations for Middle East Exclusive up 56 per cent

The registrations, which have come in from 66 countries, are a strong indication of the high regional and global interest in the Middle East market.

The exhibition, which will stage its second showing at the Dubai World Trade Centre from November 29 - December 1, will feature hundreds of global luxury brands from 25 countries.

"The Middle East is one of the fastest growing luxury goods, travel retail and duty-free markets in the world," said Justin Boutros, Managing Director, Channels Exhibitions, organisers of Middle East Exclusive. "Demand is fuelled by the booming regional retail industry, which according to industry sources, is projected to reach US$ 500 billion by 2010.

"Leading global luxury brands, such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Harvey Nichols and Kenneth Cole, have already entered the region and many more are expected to follow suit."

International brand names that will be at the show this year include Jacques Farel, Lacoste, Pierre Cardin, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Police, Nina Ricci, Time Design, Reebok, Travel Smart, Travel East, Charmant, Russ Berrie, Alfred Dunhill, Regnier Paris, Mont Blanc, Fila Watches & Accessories, Lindt+Sprungli, La Ronda, Cadbury's, Nestle, Paton's Macadamias, Cacaos Favarger, Caffe Florian, M Frey Wille, Zeades and Ella Morissa among others.

Boutros highlighted the importance of the tourism industry in growing the demand for travel retail and duty free outlets.

"Tourist arrivals in Dubai alone are forecast to top 40 million by 2015 and the emergence of other regional destinations like Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, coupled with growth in intra-regional traffic, makes the Middle East a hard-to-ignore region for retailers," said Boutros.

Middle East Exclusive will be held under the patronage of His Highness, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and Chairman of the Emirates Group.

It is being staged in association with the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup which runs from November 25 - 26 and the Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) Duty Free Conference from November 27 to 28.

Decision-makers and representatives of 134 duty-free operators spanning 40 countries have registered as visitors.

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Vice-President, Middle East Duty Free Association (MEDFA) predicted further growth for the exhibition and said: "Dubai Duty Free and MEDFA are proud to lend their support to the second Middle East Exclusive. The excellent response to the inaugural event has led to increased participation this year and we think that this exhibition can only grow in importance with both suppliers and retailers."

The Middle East duty-free market is forecast to grow by 141%, for the period 2001 - 2010, vis-à-vis 50% globally, according to Swedish research house Generation Databank.

"Average passenger spend has risen to US$ 41.25 at Abu Dhabi Duty Free, US$ 36 at Dubai and US$ 17 at Qatar Duty Free," said Boutros.

"All regional duty frees have reported increases in sales with Dubai becoming the world's third-biggest duty-free location in 2003 with a turnover of US$ 380 million.

"Sales for the first nine months of 2004 have touched US$ 350 million and are expected to reach the magic figure of US$ 500 million by the end of the year," said Boutros.

According to Airport Retail Study, Dubai ranks at number one in gross sales per square metre and fifth in gross sales per passenger among 39 international airports for 2003. Total revenue generated by airport retail worldwide stood at US$ 9.8 billion.