DEPA Middle East Hotel Awards attracts attention from across the MENA region in biggest ever event

More than 200 entries have been received from the region's four and five star hotels who are competing for such prestigious accolades as the Middle East Hotel of the Year and the New Hotel of the Year. According to the award's sponsor and creator DEPA United Group, the Dubai-headquartered interior contracting company specializing in luxury hotels, this is the highest number of entries yet.

New this year is the mixed use category. This new award will be given to any owner or developer of a Middle East based mixed use development which includes 4 or 5 star hotel components. Judges will evaluate the level of synergy between the key business activities whilst assessing the impact of the design within the local environment and the overall economic effect of the initiative to the given location.

"We are delighted with the notably high level of entries we have received this year and are impressed by the number of different countries now participating in this event." said Mohannad Sweid, Chief Executive Officer of DEPA United Group.

"The DEPA Middle East Hotel Awards uniquely offer hotels across the region the opportunity to showcase the outstanding service, performance and initiatives that have come to characterise the Middle East and North Africa hospitality industry and we believe this year's entries have set a new standard for quality in the region."

There are 15 Award categories this year including the Middle East Hotel of the Year; the Middle East Resort Property of the Year; Business Hotel of the Year; New Hotel of the Year; Hotel Spa Facility of the Year; Convention & Conference Facilities Award; Food and Beverage Award; Hotel Sales Campaign of the Year; Commitment to Quality; Energy Conservation and Environmental Awareness; Excellence in Interior Design; Human Resource Development Award; Hotel Manager of the Year; and Young Hotelier of the Year.

The "Grand Prize" of the evening will be awarded to a Middle East or North Africa based 4 or 5 star hotel that has shown excellence in every aspect including facilities, services, commitment to guests and operation.

Stephen Head, Managing Partner, Conseil International Ltd, UK will lead the DEPA Awards judging panel which comprises internationally acclaimed experts from the industry and includes Julia M Felton, Executive Director - HotelBenchmark Deloitte & Touche UK; Peter Schatzman, Vice President Executive Search International USA; Bill Freeman, Chief Executive Officer Freeman Group; Russell Kett, Managing Director HVS International; Carl Almeida, Partner P49 Deesign; Yeoh Siew Hoon
Editor at Large SHY Ventures.

The event is supported by British Airways, Artes event management, The Hotel Show, MMI, Arab Bank Group and InvestBank. Media partners are MICE International, Hotelier Middle East, Caterer Middle East, Al Aqariya TV.