More than 150 chiefs representing the main players in the region's burgeoning timeshare and fractional ownership sector are set to meet at the industry's foremost networking event, Vacation Ownership Investment Conference - VOIC 2008.

Speakers will include senior executives from the world's largest hospitality companies, including Hyatt, Marriott and Starwood, alongside several regional independent developers of vacation ownership projects.

The event will be held in Dubai on March 11 and 12, 2008.

Recent research by Dubai Government has revealed that 20 per cent of the predicted 15 million annual tourists (in 2012) will choose accommodation alternatives to traditional hotel rooms, with many expected to favour timeshare options.

Currently, the Middle East region holds less than five per cent of the world's vacation ownership developments.

Organisers say that VOIC 2008 will be 'action-packed' and will focus on the fundamentals of the industry, as well as its potential for developers, hotel companies, consumers and local economies.

VOIC 2008 is supported by Interval International, a leading provider of exchange, travel, and leisure services to resort developers and vacationers worldwide, and will be held at the Arabian Court, One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai, UAE. - TradeArabia News Service