Dubai: The Gulf region's hospitality industry is bucking negative global economic trends by registering double-digit growth, industry officials said.
"With $70 billion in committed hotel and tourism-related developments, the UAE is set to enjoy growth rates hoteliers in other parts of the world will only be able to dream about," a report said.
The ProLeads database, which monitors construction contracts across the Gulf, identifies more than 100 individual projects worth $70 billion in hotels and related leisure and tourism facilities under construction or committed in the UAE.
The survey identifies Dubai, in particular, as the star performer, with the region's highest hotel room occupancy rate (84.2 per cent), the highest average room rate ($282) and the highest revenue per available room ($237).
"We know the Middle East is a fast-developing hotel and tourism market but survey after survey reveals that the UAE hospitality sector is growing on a grand scale, unmatched elsewhere in the world," said Maggie Moore, exhibition director of The Hotel Show 2008.
The premier hotel supplies exhibition takes place at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre from June 8-10.
"Throughout the UAE the massive development potential of the travel and tourism industry continues to be recognised with record levels of investment in supporting infrastructure," said Moore.
Moore also cited a recent Hotel Benchmark Survey by consultants Deloitte showing the Middle East hotel industry as one of the fastest-growing regions in the world with revenues per available room growing 17 per cent in 2007, exceeding both Asia Pacific and Europe, with a promising outlook.
The UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) is also optimistic about tourism in the Middle East.
"UNWTO identifies the Middle East as the tourism success story of the decade with the region emerging as a strong destination and visitor numbers climbing much faster than the world total," said Moore.
"Regional confidence remains high for 2008, despite economic problems elsewhere."
The World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts the Middle East to be the only region to remain on course for five per cent growth in travel and tourism this year.
