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| The QR250,000 worth hydrotherapy pool on display at the Watermaster Qatar stand at the expo |
The first edition of the Qatar International Exhibition for Pools & Spa (QPS 2012) got underway yesterday at the Doha Exhibition Centre, featuring an array of luxury items and services in the industry of swimming pools and spas.
The timing of the exhibition is tied to the huge increase in construction and building fields especially hotels, green parks, in addition to a general trend in opening spas and wellness centres in the country.
The three-day event, which was inaugurated by the Qatar Chamber board member Nasser Ahmed al-Meer, is also showcasing the latest technologies in the field of water features, spa, beauty, body and skin care, from exhibitors from around 16 Arabian, European and Asian countries.
QPS 2012 also features sauna, jacuzzi, sports equipment, beauty products, tools and a big collection of natural products.
The expo, which is open to the public from 3pm–10pm today and tomorrow, is expected to become an annual event in Doha until 2015, and later biannual. The next QPS 2013 has been slated for November 6-8.
One of the highlights of the exhibition being organised by Heights Exhibitions and Conferences includes the Dancing Fountain Show to be organised daily for the first time in Qatar, presented by Belhasa Projects.
According to the Belhasa Projects chief executive officer Greg Garner, the portable dancing fountain can be transported to various venues for private events such as weddings and corporate occasions. “The dancing fountain is the first ever biggest portable dancing fountain (12m-wide) to be built within this region. And it requires up to four days to set it up and this is after a lot has been done by our designers and architects to synchronise the music with the water movements,” he said.
He mentioned that the dancing fountain could be purchased at a cost of up to QR1mn. Belhasa is showcasing innovations in the field of construction for pools and spa, water features, landscaping, maintenance and water treatment services to specifiers and buyers at the expo. Speaking about the trends, opportunities and challenges in the Qatari swimming pools market which is expected to reach $600mn by 2017, Garner said: “There is a massive focus on well-being and lifestyle in the region which has created a demand for high-end swimming pool and spa facilities.”
He explained that today’s swimming pools were fully integrated into the landscape as the focal point for social and family events. He mentioned that the Dubai-based company, which has just opened its Doha office in January, intends to introduce its high standard finished products and procedures followed to clients, consultants and contractors during the expo.
The company has won contracts worth more than QR17mn within the swimming pool sector and over QR120mn for water treatment projects with Ashghal alone, a senior company official Majed Belhasa has said.
Another major exhibitor, Watermaster Qatar, specialising in building swimming pools, water features, wellness centres as well as water and waste water treatment, is also featuring at the event, among other customised and luxury therapeutic machines, a specially-built hydrotherapy pool cum bath tub.
“We have specially built this hydro bathtub for this event, in order to showcase our work including on how we can use water to perform massage and therapy,” Watermaster Qatar general manager Pierre Boueri explained.
The price of the hydro pool could reach QR250,000 depending on the materials used and customers’ preference, he said.