Hotel owners and operators across the Arabian Gulf are forecast to spend a total of more than $1.25 billion this year and next on kitchens and laundries for new properties, according to details of a Proleads study released today (9 September 2009).
“The study shows that while globally the hotel sector is experiencing something of a slowdown, substantial new business is available for hotel equipment and service providers in what is still a regional growth industry,” says Maggie Moore, Exhibition Director of The Hotel Show.
In response to exhibitor and visitor requests, The Hotel Show organisers dmg world media Dubai will be highlighting kitchen equipment within its Operating and Supply section at the show in 2010 (18-20 May, Dubai World Trade Centre). “In global terms, the Middle East is one of the few regions where hotel kitchen equipment suppliers can find new markets,” Moore added.
Kitchen and laundry equipment accounts for 2.12% of the value of a hotel project. The study carried out by the Proleads research house, shows that across the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries, total kitchen and laundry budgets are expected to exceed $617 million this year and $634 million in 2010 as the region still grows its hotel industry, despite the downturn.
The United Arab Emirates is forecast to take the lion’s share of the total GCC budget this year at more than $427 million. This will fall to just over $390 million in 2010 as more hotel projects are completed. However, Proleads forecasts continued growth in new hotel kitchen and laundry budgets across other GCC countries.
The Saudi Arabia budget is forecast to climb from $119 million this year to $137 million in 2010. Bahrain will also witness a significant increase from $36 million this year to over $50 million in 2010; Qatar from $16 million to more than $32 million; Kuwait from $6 million to more than $11 million. The forecast budgets in Oman are expected to remain virtually static at around $11 million both this year and next.
The Hotel Show showcases the latest products, services and technologies for all aspects of the hospitality and leisure sector. This year’s show saw four product sectors: Operating Equipment and Supplies, Security and Technology, The Resort Experience and Interiors and Design. The Hotel Show 2009 featured 758 exhibitors from 41 countries and attracted 9,788 key industry decision makers and influencers from 77 countries.
