International hotel suppliers descend on Dubai as Middle East hospitality industry continues to grow

The three-day event, organised by dmg world media Dubai Ltd, is a vital launch pad for the latest hospitality industry products and services at a time when hotel investment in the Gulf region is at its highest level yet.

Visitors to the exhibition will include leading hotel owners, developers and operators who bring with them extensive shopping lists not only for replenishment of existing supplies, but also for equipment and ideas to go into the dozens of new hotel properties under development and the host of existing properties undergoing refurbishment.

"At the moment, the demand for hotel ccommodation is greater than supply and the boom in hotel development we've seen over the last few years is set to continue," said Bernard Walsh, Managing Director of dmg world media Dubai Ltd.

"This industry growth has ensured that this year's Hotel Show is the biggest yet. There is a 40 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors over last year," he said.

Some 425 companies from a record 41 countries will take part at The Hotel Show this year. Countries exhibiting for the first time include Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Holland, Iran, Pakistan, Phillipines, Poland, Russia, Thailand and Tunisia.

Among the extensive line-up of exhibitors is technology company, Teleadapt, which is returning to The Hotel Show after successfully using it as a launch pad for its Dubai office last year. Teleadapt has six other offices in the UK, USA, Brazil, the Czech Republic, China and Hong Kong.

"The Hotel Show helped our company establish itself in the Middle East", said Teleadapt's Abhi Bose, Regional Manager Middle East & India. "A year after the launch, our products are enjoying success in this market and the Middle East has become one of our fastest growing areas," he said.

At the company's stand this year, visitors will be able to see for the first time a range of new hospitality products, including wireless and wired Internet access points and revenue-generating laptop accessories and technology gadgets for the in-room mini bar.

Also on show will be a universal fast charger, which can give almost any mobile battery powered device a 65 per cent charge in less than ten minutes and is a must for hotels and business centres looking to provide better services and generate extra revenue.

In addition to the latest high-tech systems and gadgets, The Hotel Show will showcase a wide array of other products and services relevant to the hospitality industry, such as leisure equipment, furniture and accessories.

One furniture company hoping to make a big impact on the local market is Asian Vine Furniture, which will be using the event to find a local hotel industry representative. The Philippines-based company, which had a big presence in the Middle East home furniture market five years ago before shifting its focus to Europe, is making a come-back with its new collection of outdoor furniture made of synthetic fiber and aluminum.

The Hotel Show will run daily from 11 am to 7 pm from Sunday (22 May), until Tuesday (24 May). Attendance is free for trade visitors.