Dubai, 1st June 2015: An exclusive new report published by Jones Lang LaSalle for The Hotel Show Dubai reveals today that Dubai is set to see a massive increase of 28,000 new hotel rooms by 2018.

Already one of the world's top holiday destinations, the UAE's most populous city is currently gearing up for the Dubai World Expo with the Government's Tourism Vision forecasting 20 million visitors a year by the time of the event in 2020.

"With mega-events Dubai World Expo 2020 and 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar and a host of major-developments including Al Habtoor City, Bluewaters Island, and Dubailand launching in coming years, we hoteliers are preparing for the significant increase in tourists," said Wajeed Bagwan, General Manager of the newly launched SUBA Hotel in Dubai. "With over 3,000 new keys entering the Dubai market in 2015 alone, SUBA Hotels intend to have an edge over competition with an increased offering and a focus on our unique selling point as Dubai's first 4* boutique SMART hotel with advanced technology facilities. We launched in Dubai in 2014 and are planning to open three new SUBA Hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2017."

One of the world's leading hotel groups, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, is planning to double its portfolio in the Middle East in the next five years including the launch of its first world-popular W Hotel and St. Regis brands in Dubai by the end of 2015. Alongside a new Westin, the three hotels will be located in the new Al Habtoor City complex, described by developers the Al Habtoor Group as the 'world's biggest residential and hospital development currently under construction'.

Dubai-based global luxury hotel company, Jumeirah Group, has two properties scheduled to open in Dubai by 2017 including the Jumeirah Al Naseem at Madinat Jumeirah and the first hotel under its lifestyle brand, Venu, opening off the coast of Dubai at the new Bluewaters Island. The Venu Bluewaters Island Hotel will offer close to 300 rooms surrounded by the retail, residential and hospitality zones of the mixed-use Island with the world's largest Ferris wheel, the Dubai-I, at its heart.

Various existing hotels are going through major redevelopments and refurbishments to remain competitive. Ramesh Bappoo, General Manager Novotel and ibis Deira City Centre and Delegate Hotels & Integrated Support Services of 2 Novotel and 3 Ibis totaling 1,217 rooms in Dubai said: "Majid Al Futtaim, Owning Company of Novotel City Centre Deira, Ibis City Centre Deira and Suite Novotel Mall of Emirates, has allocated over AED 3.3 million as capital investment to support our Green initiatives.  Novotel City Centre Deira - 4 Star Category, Suite Novotel Mall of Emirates - 3 Star Category and Ibis City Centre Deira - 2 Star Category has each bagged the prestigious Dubai Green Tourism Award 2014 in its category as the best green hotels in Dubai."

He continued: "This highly competitive award acknowledges Accor's accomplishments in demonstrating effective, environmentally sensitive operations and management by educating guests and employees about sustainable tourism practices, supporting cultural and natural heritage preservation, and collaborating with other private and public stakeholders to promote best practices in sustainable green tourism."

The leading award ceremony for the hotel industry in the region, The Middle East Hotel Awards, is seeing the impact of this increased activity with a record number of entries for 2015 and the addition of categories including Best Hotel Refurbishment.  Hotels competing for first place in this new category for 2015 are Manzil Downtown Dubai, Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, Pullman Dubai Deira City Centre Hotel and Residences, and Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel and Towers.  Winners will be announced at a ceremony with over 400 hoteliers at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai, Palm Jumeirah on 4th June 2015.

For more information and/or images, please contact Heather Macpherson, PR Manager, dmg events Hospitality Portfolio on +971 4 445 3749 or heathermacpherson@dmgeventsme.com

The Hotel Show Dubai and The Middle East Hotel Awards are organised by dmg events and belong to the dmg hospitality portfolio comprising of The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia, The Hotel Show Dubai, The Vision Conference, The Leisure Show, The Middle East Hotel Awards, and The Middle East Pool & Spa Awards.

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The Hotel Show Dubai (28-30 September 2015, Dubai World Trade Centre) and The Hotel Show Saudi Arabia (17-19 May 2016, Jeddah Centre for Forums and Events) are important business forums for the hospitality industry in the Middle East and Africa. Working with Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, industry associations, and partners, the Shows include visionary features, extensive educational content (through the Vision Conference) and other knowledge sharing platforms together with senior level networking. Find out more or register to attend FREE at www.thehotelshow.com or www.thehotelshowsaudiarabia.com

The Middle East Hotel Awards
Now in its 5th year, The Middle East Hotel Awards seeks to identify, highlight and reward excellence across the hotel industry. The 2015 awards ceremony is taking place at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai, Palm Jumeirah on 4th June. Find out more: www.thehotelshow.com/Content/Middle-East-Hotel-Awards

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An international exhibition and publishing company, dmg events produces market-leading exhibitions and conferences for the global energy, construction, digital marketing, coatings, hospitality and interior industries, with events in the Middle East, America, Europe and Asia.

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© Press Release 2015