More than $6bn worth of hotel projects are due for completion in the Middle East by 2013 but greater emphasis is being put on sustainability, an industry expert said on Sunday.
Despite the spectre of a double-dip recession in Europe and the US, as well as unrest in the MENA region, hospitality infrastructure and the associated supplies industry were still witnessing steady growth, Frederique Maurell, exhibition director, The Hotel Show, said.
"Despite macro-economic indicators, there is little doubt that the regional hospitality industry is now experiencing solid if unspectacular growth," she said.
"With over $6 billion worth of hotel projects, mainly in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, still due for completion by 2013, the industry is looking forward with renewed confidence," she added.
"We are, quite naturally perhaps, already seeing greater emphasis on sustainability and technology, not only to save energy, enhance efficiency and save money."
Last month, hotel industry data analysts STR Global said selected markets in the Middle East hospitality sector would see more than half their current supply of hotels coming online in the next few years.
Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global,said the glut of development in the region could create "challenging market conditions" in the short term.
Source
Despite the spectre of a double-dip recession in Europe and the US, as well as unrest in the MENA region, hospitality infrastructure and the associated supplies industry were still witnessing steady growth, Frederique Maurell, exhibition director, The Hotel Show, said.
"Despite macro-economic indicators, there is little doubt that the regional hospitality industry is now experiencing solid if unspectacular growth," she said.
"With over $6 billion worth of hotel projects, mainly in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, still due for completion by 2013, the industry is looking forward with renewed confidence," she added.
"We are, quite naturally perhaps, already seeing greater emphasis on sustainability and technology, not only to save energy, enhance efficiency and save money."
Last month, hotel industry data analysts STR Global said selected markets in the Middle East hospitality sector would see more than half their current supply of hotels coming online in the next few years.
Elizabeth Randall, managing director of STR Global,said the glut of development in the region could create "challenging market conditions" in the short term.
Source