This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
NEWS / REGIONAL


Medical events lead the meetings field Growth of medical events continues upward spiral across region


The GCC's total healthcare expenditure is forecast to tri- ple to US$133.19 billion by 2018 according to a recent Frost & Sullivan report. The statistics forecast healthcare spend- ing in the GCC to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3 percent from 2010 to 2018 due to an expand- ing population, higher inci- dence of lifestyle diseases and deeper insurance penetration. Additionally, the surge in medical tourism in this region and the escalating disease burden will create a need for 90,690 hospital beds by 2018. Speaking ahead of the


International Congress for Joint reconstruction – Middle East (ICJR – Middle East), taking place from March 7 to 9 at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre, Simon Page, Managing Director of Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions told meetme: “These statistics offers proof of the immense potential for all aspects of medical provision- ing in the region, namely in the transfer of know-how, train- ing, the building of clinics and hospitals and in the import


and export of pharmaceutical products and medical supplies. “While many profession- als in most industries are still concerned about the state of the world economy, exhibi- tion businesses have proven resistant to market pressure. There is a growing need


for face-to-face interaction as, in order to do business, you need to see each other. One of the major trends influenc- ing the healthcare exhibi- tions industry has been the need for companies to cre- ate opportunities by branch- ing out beyond their respec- tive home markets. This has resulted in a positive impact on the Middle East healthcare exhibitions industry, with many international companies looking to set up or increase their presence in the region.” The trend has prompted


the region's governments to pay closer attention to meet- ing healthcare needs in their respective countries, with various large-scale develop- ments in the pipeline as well as reforms to rules and regu- lations to attract more private sector investment.


Eisa Al Haj Al Maidour, Direc- tor General of Dubai Health Authority inaugurated this year’s ICJR-ME. On his left stands Dr. Samih Tarabichi, Chairman of the ICJR Congress


“Healthcare exhibitions


such as Arab Health, Hospital Build Middle East Abu Dhabi Medical Congress and ICJR-ME will continue to be a major platform for companies looking to expand their pres- ence into this niche market,” said Page. “Regionally there has been a trend in recent years very much around a flight to quality, with smaller, more niche events falling


by the wayside. Now we are coming out of the downturn, the market is picking up and you are seeing more packed calendars at the established venues.We predict this will continue strongly and that the Informa Life Sciences Exhibitions portfolio will be expanding through niche events such as ICJR-ME even further as we move into the events pipeline for 2013-2015.”


Le Méridien Dubai gears up for meetings


Riding high on Dubai’s tour- ism boom Le Méridien Dubai has embarked on an ambi- tious expansion plan to pro- vide more guest rooms and


Le Méridien Dubai


meeting spaces. “Around nine million foreign tour- ists visited the UAE in 2012. The UAE tourism sector’s expected annual growth is around 6.5 percent year-on- year during this decade,” said Vikas Choudhery, Director of Sales & Marketing, Le Méridien Dubai. “We have already added three new meeting rooms with mod- ern amenities and are in the process of adding three more to accommodate current and forecasted demand. By the


16 /


end of 2013 Le Méridien Dubai will have unparalleled confer- ence and banqueting facili- ties spread across approxi- mately 6,000 square metres to reinforce the fact that Dubai and Le Méridien Dubai will be popular meetings des- tinations in the region.” The expansion will also


boost the capacity and size of the property’s ballroom, which features a unique show kitchen concept, to accom- modate up to 1,500 guests. A total of 197 new guest


rooms will be added, tak- ing the hotel’s inventory to 580 rooms by Q4 2013. “This massive expansion


plan demonstrates Le Méridien Dubai is committed to a guest- centric approach to business,” said Vikas. “This expansion will give us the opportu- nity to enhance our customer base by delivering our style of exceptional service to lei- sure travellers, meetings del- egates and corporate custom- ers, while simultaneously address new market trends.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100