Companies look to attract new clients at Beautyworld
More than 850 exhibitors representing 1,650 brands from 50 countries will be in Dubai from today to participate in the Beautyworld Middle East exhibition.
They will be bidding for a share of the lucrative Gulf market, which boast one of the world's highest per capita consumption rates of cosmetics and fragrances.
There will be 31 country pavilions and the event is expected to attract 15,000 visitors from 100 nations.
Exhibitors will showcase premium natural and organic skin care products and organise workshops on skin care basics, top tips and other information to help professionals.
Also on show will be skin, hair care and hygiene products, toiletries, beauty accessories, perfumery, make-up and nail varnish, nail care products, packaging, raw materials, equipment and furniture.
In addition there will be displays by providers of business services, trade associations, public institutions and media.
"The healthcare and fitness sector has become a multi-million-dollar market in the Middle East spurred on by the soaring incidence of obesity," said Eckhard Pruy, CEO of exhibition organiser Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH. "The current regional spend is estimated at Dh272 billion.
"Figures indicate that 60 per cent of UAE nationals are overweight and this number is broadly in line with the obesity levels within the expat community.
With this scenario, the personal fitness market is starting to take off.
Running adjacent to the show is the Wellness and Spas Middle East international trade fair, where more than 135 exhibitors from more than 25 countries will present the latest products, services, trends and solutions in the spa, fitness and wellness sectors.
A range of fitness aids ranging from videos and diet books to gym equipment will be on show.
Growth in spa sector
Research by Euromonitor International revealed that a total of 31 per cent of spa visitors last year were men. The worldwide market for male grooming products will rise by 18 per cent to Dh91.8 billion between 2006 and 2011, according to Euromonitor International. This trend is reflected in the Middle East, where the numbers of spas have increased and each of the 200 hotels planned for construction in Dubai alone incorporating a spa.