UAE - Hotel Show 2011 sees 40pc rise in visitor arrivals 

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) The value of agreements during the Hotel Show 2011 have reached 4 billion, while the show achieved a growth of 40 percent in the number of visitors compared to last year.

According to DMG World Media company, organizer of the exhibition, the total number of visitors this year have reached over 14 thousand compared to 10 thousand visitors last year, which emphasizes the importance of the hospitality industry and prosperity in the region despite the effects of the global economic downturn.

Analysts in the hospitality industry estimate that hotel projects worth 6 billion are being completed in the region, mainly in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates during the next two years as part of the concentration of these countries to diversifying their economies away from oil and gas revenues.

The Hotel Show held at Dubai World Trade Centre covered an area of over 22,000 square meters of exhibition floor space, showcasing the latest products, services and technologies from all aspects of the hospitality and leisure sector. The event had a distinctive international feel this year with 420 exhibitors representing 45 countries showcased more than 500 products.

The show saw an increase in the number of national pavilions this year including Germany, which participated with the largest national pavilion of 600 square meters and included 29 exhibitors. Also each of Turkey, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Thailand, China, and Cyprus have participated with similar pavilions that exceeded a total area of 300 sqm.