Hotel Show weaves profits for leading German manufacturers

Two leading German textile manufacturers are to use the Middle East's top hotel suppliers exhibition as a launch pad for the opening of their first office in the region.

In confirming their participation at The Hotel Show, taking place at Airport Expo Dubai from May 19 - 21, Zweigart & Sawitzki and Wäschekrone, both leading linen manufacturers, have emphasised that last year's event helped them boost their presence in the region.

Now bidding for a larger share of the region's increasingly profitable hotel supplies market, the two companies have joined forces to open a joint office in Sharjah next month, with the cooperation of their UAE agent B. F. Hotel Supply.

Organised by event management and marketing specialists, Streamline Marketing, The Hotel Show creates a "one-stop-shop" hotel supplies opportunity for hotel owners, operators and developers, with exhibitors showcasing a huge range of products and services vital to a hotel's day-to-day running.

"We are very optimistic about the growth prospects of the region's hospitality industry and the opening of our office is part of a marketing strategy developed to enable us to benefit from this growth," said Manfred Belz, product manager of Zweigart & Sawitzki.

"The first step was made last year, when we made our debut at The Hotel Show and met key hoteliers and caterers with 15 per cent of the contacts made paying off in terms of deals. As a result we have gained a good market share in this region in both our high-quality jacquard table linen line, as well as our exclusive bed and bath linens," Belz said.

At this year's Hotel Show, Zweigart & Sawitzki, which recently celebrated its 125th anniversary, will also be launching a new classic line of table linen. What makes the company unique is that the complete manufacturing process of the table linen is done under one roof.

"As the reputation of The Hotel Show continues to grow, overseas manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware of the vast opportunities on offer in the region," said Joanne Evans, director of Streamline Marketing.

"With new players entering the market and competition increasing, hotel suppliers constantly have to be on the lookout for innovative solutions. It is through this natural process that the local supplier market for the hospitality industry is becoming increasingly sophisticated," she said.

Held under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, The Hotel Show is owned by dmg World Media, a subsidiary of FTSE100 company The Daily Mail & General Trust plc.

For a second year it is being staged in conjunction with another dmg World Media event, The Office Exhibition, the two events being run simultaneously in adjacent exhibition halls. Fully supported by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Hotel Show also has the support of the UK's Department of Trade and Industry.