Trio of Trade Shows see Dubai Cement its Role as Leader Within MENA’s Design and Hospitality Industry

INDEX, The Hotel Show and WORKSPACE will take place at Dubai World Trade Centre from May 27-29, with more than 30,000 professionals from across the MENA region and 920 exhibitors from 90-plus countries set to attend.

This May, Dubai is set to solidify its reputation as the ultimate design and hospitality powerhouse in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), leveraging its strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and status as a global trade and networking hub. As a key gateway between east and west, the emirate plays host to a trio of trade shows redefining the region’s industry. Organized by dmg events, INDEX, The Hotel Show, and WORKSPACE, is set to attract the world’s leading brands, global talent, and industry pioneers to the emirate, all eager to tap into Dubai’s thriving design ecosystem.

With this year’s event set to span more than 55,000sqm of exhibition space, the combined shows are expected to draw more than 30,000 professionals from across the MENA region with just over 900 exhibitors from 90-plus countries. The shows are set to create an unmatched platform for buyers to source the latest innovations in hospitality and interior design.

More than just a host city for the three exhibitions, Dubai stands as the gateway to global investment, connecting regional buyers, particularly from The Middle East and North Africa to unique opportunities in the hotel and interior design industry.

A new report by Cavendish Maxwell stated how Dubai is set to increase its hotel inventory by more than 11,300 rooms by 2027, with nearly 4,620 of those rooms to open this year. The city’s hotel inventory is expected to grow by 3.1 per cent in 2025, with a further 3.4 per cent growth predicted for 2026, and by the end of 2027, Dubai will boast more than 162,600 hotel rooms spread across 769 properties.

Similarly, the region’s hospitality market is on an upward trajectory, set to grow to US$69.57 billion by 2030, propelled in part by Dubai’s luxury tourism, high-end hotels, and F&B investments.

According to 6Wresearch, the Middle East interior design market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of six per cent until 2031, fuelled by urban expansion in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Green initiatives, smart technologies, and sustainability-driven designs are shaping the future of interiors, blending traditional aesthetics with modern efficiency.

Elaine O’Connell, dmg events’ Senior Vice President, Design and Hospitality, says Dubai has now firmly solidified itself as the preferred regional destination for creatives and industry pioneers. “It’s where new ideas take flight and innovative concepts redefine the future of interiors, hotels, and workspaces,” she said.

Bringing together more than three decades of industry heritage, INDEX, The Hotel Show, and WORKSPACE offer a 360-degree view of design, hospitality, and workplace innovations. Each event caters to distinct yet interconnected sectors, providing a holistic experience for industry professionals. INDEX, the MENA's interior design and fit-out exhibition will feature over 500 exhibitors showcasing a wide range of products across furniture, lighting, décor, and surfaces. The highly anticipated INDEX Design Talks will again be a thought leadership forum, hosting discussions on the biggest trends and challenges shaping the interior design industry.

The Hotel Show, with a legacy spanning more than 20 years, is the region’s longest-running hospitality trade event, featuring 300 exhibitors presenting cutting-edge solutions for hotel technology, F&B services, textiles, and wellness innovations. This year’s edition will introduce dedicated conference tracks, including HITEC for hospitality technology, The Hospitality Leadership & F&B Forum, and new for this year, The Hospitality Procurement Forum, catering to industry leaders looking to drive innovation in their respective fields. Attendees can also expect dynamic experiences such as The Chefs Table, where culinary teams compete for the coveted ‘Hotel Culinary Team of the Year’ title, alongside the exciting return of the Housekeepers Challenge.

WORKSPACE, the Middle East’s premier platform for office interiors and workplace technology, reflects the growing emphasis on employee well-being, flexible workspaces, and digital transformation in the corporate sector. As businesses prioritise smart office solutions and AI-powered innovations, WORKSPACE will feature the latest advancements in remote collaboration tools, ergonomic designs, and wellness-focused office environments.

A key highlight of the upcoming editions is the global presence, featuring top exhibitors from Italy, France, the UK, Türkiye, Germany, Belgium, and beyond. “These national showcases bring together leading brands, offering a diverse range of design aesthetics and hospitality expertise from across the world”. said O’Connell.

“These global brands ensure a rich variety of product offerings and business opportunities, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a melting pot of design and innovation and one that remains highly accessible due to its exceptional air links, regional road network, and streamlined visitor visa processes.”