Region's hotels to spend more on tech developments

Middle Eastern hotels will spend more than US $290 million on communications and technology infrastructure in 2009 and 2010 according to a new report.

The data from Proleads, who will host a special security and technology arena at Dubai's Hotel Show in May, noted that Omani hotels were leading the way across the region, with expenditure set to increase from $4 million this year to $29 million in 2010.

Saudi Arabian, Bahraini and Kuwaiti hotels will also spend more according to Proleads, however properties in the UAE and Qatar will see a drop in expenditure.

The Hotel Show exhibition director Maggie Moore said: “This is a very large market relative to the rest of the world and is a reflection of the record number of hotel projects upcoming in the region, in spite of the impact of the global economic downturn.” 

Despite the regional surge in spending, the report revealed that spending on communications infrastructure, including cabling, telephony, hotel management systems and hotel room TVs is set to peak this year in the United Arab Emirates at $81 million, but drop to $46 million in 2010.

The Hotel Show, which will feature the Seven Star Conference dedicated to technological designs, trends requirements in hotels, takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre on May 24-26.