GCC’s premier exhibition for the leisure, sports, resorts and pool & spa industry The Leisure Show will take place from 17th to 19th September at Dubai World Trade Centre as a part of the Middle East Design and Hospitality Week 2019.
A new study by MENA Research Partners indicates that the region’s travel and tourism sector could reach $350 billion by 2027. The boom in this sector will have an impact on the GCC’s leisure and entertainment market ahead of which the Leisure Show will present a significant platform where key decision makers from the industry will get to network as well as source the latest innovations, products, and equipment to build, maintain, and refurbish an extensive range of leisure facilities.
Looking at sector sentiment on the home ground, the 2019 Hospitality-Tourism-Leisure-Report-by the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council indicates that, ‘The U.A.E.’s leisure and entertainment market is set to grow as 45 million visitors are expected by 2021’, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has announced US$64 billion to develop its entertainment industry over the next decade.
According to the latest Hospitality-Tourism-Leisure-Report-by the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, ‘The U.A.E. hospitality market is expected to be valued at $7.6 billion by 2022, and travel and tourism’s direct contribution to the U.A.E.’s total GDP is expected to be $29.53 billion in 2028’.
The Report indicates that the primary driver of growth for tourism and leisure in the U.A.E will be Expo 2020 Dubai. With over 300 regular annual events such as the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that draws visitors from more than 170 countries and the Dubai World Cup one of the most prestigious horse races to name a few sports also attributes to growth in this sector.
‘The U.A.E. is situated in a strategically significant region, at the nexus of Europe, Asia, and Africa. A third of the world’s population lives within a four-hour flight, and two thirds within an eight-hour flight of the U.A.E’ highlights the Hospitality-Tourism-Leisure-Report.
According to KPMG’s 2019 Global Leisure Perspectives Report, ‘The experience economy is booming, and with consumers choosing to travel more, the leisure industry is under increasing pressure to deliver the very best experience for their customers, most of which exhibit very different travel tastes and preferences’.
Sarkis Kahwajian, Event Director, dmg Hospitality Portfolio said, “technology is leading the way in shaping the leisure industry globally as well as in the GCC. The Global Leisure Perspectives Report from KPMG affirms that consumers around the world are more digitally covered than ever before and opting to spend more on exciting and engaging experiences. The UAE and neighbouring GCC countries are gearing up for an influx of international visitors as well as an evolving consumer preference. True to its track record, the Leisure Show will be a significant event for professionals in the industry to share ideas, showcase innovative products, lead discussions, and network”.
Companies participating at the Leisure Show are Bahama, Ghareini, Matrix, Technogym, Precor, Digilock, Vortex and HPS to name a few.
During the Middle East Design and Hospitality Week 2019, The Leisure Show will be co-located with The Hotel Show Dubai, Workspace, INDEX, Surface Design Middle East, FIM, and INDEX Home.
