Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2016 sees product launches

The fourth annual Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2016 opened May 17, 2016, under the Patronage of His Highness Prince Abdullah bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, chairman of the Tourism Committee in Jeddah.

“We are honoured that His Highness Prince Abdullah bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, chairman of the Tourism Committee in Jeddah, and Mohammad A. Al-Amri, general manager of the Jeddah and Makkah Province at SCTH opened the 4th edition of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia and took the time to tour the exhibition floor,” said Gary Williams, event director of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia 2016 at dmg events.

“The Hotel Show is a must-attend event for hospitality professionals looking to establish a presence in Saudi Arabia," he added.

“Saudi Arabia’s hospitality industry is experiencing extraordinary growth. Here in Jeddah alone, the number of hotel rooms is forecast to double by 2018,” said Elliot Rizk, vice president at co-organiser M.I.C.E Arabia.

Exhibitors revealed new product launches on the first day of the event, particularly in the technology sector. Onity, a provider of electronic locking and guest access systems based in Spain, launched its smart bracelet - Qing - which enables hospitality guests to make payments and enter rooms and other access-controlled spaces.

Denis Laburu, Onity distribution sales director for Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “With the young population in Saudi Arabia, rising levels of domestic tourism, and high internet and social media usage rates – it is not a surprise that hotels here are becoming such a strong market for innovative technologies and in turn, the highest quality of service.

"There is a lot of opportunity here, and we have participated in every edition of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia with great success. This year we plan to really exceed visitors’ expectations with our new product launches.”

Samsung launched a new hospitality management product – LYNK HMS Solutions – which enables in-room smart TVs to act as a central control for guests to personalise room temperature, lighting and other factors, whilst the hotel can send personalised notofications.

LG Electronics revealed "innovative display technologies" including an 86-inch ‘Ultra Stretch’ seven-foot-long UHD signage display.

Other product areas on display at the event included: interiors, lighting and design; operating equipment and supplies; horeca; cleaning and laundry; food and beverage; and other hospitality related sectors.

Exhibitors include: RAK Porcelain (launching eight new collections on-site); CMT Technologies; Poly Products – Raha; Sohar Poly Industries; Hotec GT; Zubair Furnishing; Allegrini Hotel Amenities; Artasa Paris; Silent Night; RoomNetTV; ABB; Roudah Trading; Salto Systems; Stressless by Ekornes; and many more.

Alongside The Hotel Show, the Vision Conference Saudi Arabia returned for its second year with speakers from King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Saudi Green Building Council (SGBC), AlKamal International, Hilton Worldwide, Ramada Hotels, amongst others, set to inform the Saudi market on the latest hospitality industry trends.