(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The growth in the UAE's real estate, hospitality, and leisure sectors are helping to drive the country's design sector, experts at the first edition of the Middle East Design and Hospitality Week (MEDHW 2019) said.
The event brings together eight different shows including The Leisure Show, Surface Design Middle East, and Index, and is expected to welcome over 1,200 exhibitors from 80 countries. With the Expo 2020 Dubai event contributing to a surge across various sectors, experts at the event noted that a spill over effect will result in a significant growth in the UAE's design and interiors sector.
According to a BMI Research report, the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) construction market is expected to be worth around $336 billion by 2020. The BNC Projects Journal estimates that there are currently over 15,000 projects in the UAE estimated at $791 billion. Urban construction contributes 45 per cent of planned and ongoing work in the GCC and is valued at $1.08 trillion, with hospitality and retail projects taking the bulk. Hotel industry analyst STR's April 2019 pipeline data revealed there are 424 hotel projects accounting for 125,052 rooms in construction in the Middle East. According to ProTenders, the UAE had 652 hospitality projects worth $107.8 billion under way as of April 2019.
Sharing insight on trends in decorative surfaces across various sectors, Madhusudhan Rao, CEO at Danube Group, said: "Sustainable design, smart space planning, and international aesthetics with local flavor are amongst the few trends that are popular in the GCC. Residences have become way softer with nature inspired themes over the last few years. Schools too have bright and attractive design features that makes the students feel positive and welcoming. Moreover, the hospitals in the GCC have also understood and realised the need of the hour i.e. how a good surface design can immensely help in improving the mood and health of the patients along with the feeling of well-being, keeping the hygiene a top most priority."
Tony Crinion, portfolio director at dmg events Design Division, said: "There is a strong pipeline of construction and refurbishment projects in the Mena region, which will impact the interior design and fit-out industry in the region. Interior designers, architects, even end users across residential, hospitality, health and fitness, education, industrial sectors are exploring possibilities where aesthetics, functionality, durability, technology, sustainability converge when choosing surfaces."
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RohmaSadaqat
I am a reporter and sub-editor on the Business desk at Khaleej Times. I mainly cover and write articles on the UAE's retail, hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.Originally from Lahore, I have been living in the UAE for more than 20 years. I graduated with a BA in Mass Communication, with a concentration in Journalism, and a double minor in History and International Studies from the American University of Sharjah.If you see me out and about on assignment in Dubai, feel free to stop me, say hello, and we can chat about the latest kitten videos on YouTube.
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