Dubai: According to the latest research commissioned by the Wellness and Spas Middle East exhibition, the UAE wellness product and services market is expected to reach Dh11 billion by 2015.

In total, the research estimates that the total healthcare market in the UAE will hit Dh44 billion by 2015.

"An ageing population of baby boomers and the increasing stress of modern life have created a boom in wellness retreats and spas around the world," said Elisabeth Brehl, managing director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organiser of the Wellness and Spa Middle East exhibition.

"Personal wellness is starting to become a lifestyle trend as people seek relaxation and a respite from the pressures of daily life, and activities that cultivate physical, spiritual and mental wellbeing are becoming important to many people in deciding how to spend their leisure time," added Brehl.

Already, Americans and Canadians have spent Dh41.1 billion on wellness and Dh4 billion on spa tourism in the last two years, according to the Epoc Messe Frankfurt research.

Wellness and Spas Middle East is the event for spas and wellness centres to promote themselves to the affluent and increasingly health and beauty conscious market of the Middle East. This year's exhibition will be held on June 1 to 3 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, together with Beautyworld Middle East.

Leisure activities

Regarding the broad field of sports tourism, the UAE has placed sport at the forefront of leisure activities in the UAE, according to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

From traditional camel races to modern motor racing extravaganzas, people can take part in various forms of sporting activities.

To cater to both amateurs and professionals, several modern sports facilities such as football stadiums, race tracks, golf courses, and coaching centres are set up all over the country and a multitude of sports associations and clubs has long been active in the UAE.

Today, the UAE is a leading force to be reckoned with in many sporting activities. The country has produced many renowned sporting personalities who have made impressive achievements at the individual and team levels in regional and international competitions.

Apart from this, the UAE has also played host to several premier sporting events such as Formula 1, Red Bull Air Race and Fifa Club World Cup, the success of which earned the country international admiration for its excellent sports infrastructure and efficient administrative and organisational capabilities.

Most recently, the UAE has identified sports tourism as a major growth segment within the already burgeoning tourism sector.

Capitalising on its huge potential to host formula 1-like mega sporting showcases, the country has mapped out an ambitious and long-term plan to compete with traditional players in the sports tourism arena.

The UAE leadership also gives great attention and generous support to the promotion of sports in the UAE through various awards and programmes.