At least 15 Australian companies have already joined the Australia Pavilion at The Hotel Show.

“Dubai is recognised in Australia as the gateway to the Middle East and a secure, vibrant location to do business,” says Paul Cahir, managing director, International Trade Show Management, organiser of the Australia Pavilion. ‘‘Last year, Australian exports to the UAE grew to a record $1.4 billion and the country is now well represented in the UAE with three state governments – Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia – having trade offices in Dubai, plus Austrade, the Australian Trade Commission.’’
Victoria was the first Australian state to open a trade office in the country and currently represents 31.6 per cent of overall Australian exports to the UAE. “We have encouraged companies to come here ,” says Peter Deacon, executive director, Victorian Government Business Office, UAE. “Victoria has a more diverse presence in the market with construction and technology companies as well as suppliers to the hotel industry now setting up shop here. Australian outdoor furnishings and technology companies will do particularly well in respect of the Middle East hotel industry because we already have products suitable for the climate and we offer quality and expertise with pricing that is internationally competitive.”
Many companies are already in business. SX Technology, a producer of a world-leading video-on-demand system, is working on its first Middle East project at the Crowne Plaza Dubai, while Casuallife, maker of top-quality outdoor furnishings has fulfilled much of the Madinat Jumeirah’s needs. And, following a major project win on the Palm, ComTel Resources, a producer of a powerful application that assists the hotel industry with the intergration of their management and booking systems, will be looking to appoint a regional distributor while at the event.
The Australian Weaving Mills will also be using the Hotel Show as an opportunity to test the market and investigate options for regional representation.