The Hotel Show and The Leisure Show held in Dubai, UAE, this week closed yesterday (September 30) with exhibitors reporting healthy business.

Attracting some 600 international and regional exhibitors, buyers came looking to invest, design, build, refurbish and fit out hotels, restaurants, leisure destinations and resorts, said organisers.

The organisers are expecting a 10 per cent rise in attendees over 2013 where 16,700 industry professionals visited the show from 98 countries.

Highlights of the event included an increase in the number of new technology suppliers, while the biggest international representation was from China who brought more than 60 suppliers.

Hundreds of industry professionals attended The Vision Conference which this year had more than 70 international and regional pioneering industry experts whilst several of the world’s footballing legends appeared at The Leisure Show to promote the latest ‘new’ sport, Teqball.

The Hotel Show’s 15th anniversary featured a VIP party for over 300 industry figureheads at the JW Marriot Marquee, where Christine Davidson, The Hotel Show event director welcomed guests.

With hotel developments increasingly having to adhere to new “green” build techniques and practices and sustainability a growing concern worldwide, this year’s Hotel Show not only included a number of new features and initiatives focused on the issue, but also chaired sessions at The Vision Conference focusing on the subject across hotels, leisure and hospitality.

A packed audience listened to regional and international panel debate entitled “Sustainable Hotel – is it possible?” Heated discussions about the issues that need to be tackled if hotels of the future can support sustainability throughout their operation ended with panellists giving their one sustainable recommendation.

With the UAE going through a very dynamic period of economic development due to the rapid growth being witnessed by the tourism sector, The Hotel Show attracted a number of new exhibitors this year and also some who were returning.

Achilleas Garibaldi, managing director of Garibaldi, said: "We are returning to The Hotel Show after seven years. We are back to launch new lines and have been very satisfied as we have met interesting clients within the region."

Ena Shaw, the largest manufacturer of custom made curtain blinds and soft furnishings in the UK chose The Hotel Show to launch its UAE turnkey soft furnishings service to hoteliers.

“We have met a steady flow of serious people here.  The event feels focused and is attracting the right people.  It’s clear that you need to be here to get established and I would certainly consider being here again in 2015.”

“As Dubai booms heading towards 2020 and the World Cup looms for Qatar, plus the UAE is now top in the Middle East for the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, The Hotel Show and The Leisure Show clearly played a leading role in providing a platform for both regional and international buyers and suppliers,” said Davidson.

“By introducing many new features this year and providing a Vision Conference that focused on the future, we are delighted that satisfaction is at an all time high,” she concluded. – TradeArabia News Service