Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami, Director General, Dubai Health Authority officially opens Vision-X 2015

Study shows UAE’s exciting upmarket shopping experience lures tourists, drives luxury eyewear sales

Dubai UAE, December 6, 2015:   His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority today officially opened the Middle East’s largest optical trade show, Vision-X 2015, in Dubai where tourists lured by an exciting upmarket shopping experience are helping to drive growth in sales of luxury eyewear in the UAE.

Accompanied by His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General, Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, and Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre Authority, H.E. Al Qatami toured the venue where more than 140 exhibitors from 29 countries are showcasing the latest optical eyewear and eye-care industry technologies and styles.

More than 4,000 trade visitors from over 80 countries are expected to do business at DWTC over the next three days, as forecasts point to continued growth in popularity of eyewear products from many of the luxury brands showcasing their latest designs in Dubai.

The latest country report on eyewear in the UAE by Euromonitor International says that value growth this year was mainly driven by consumers drawn by the wide range of luxury offerings available .

The study says that the UAE - where the eyewear market is valued at $480 million - attracted increasing numbers of international labels which in turn drew customers who travel to the country specifically to enjoy the luxury experience. 

“Tourism and disposable incomes have both performed well post the recession and the country’s support pillars of entertainment, infrastructure and retail have come together to create an exciting destination,” added the report.

It says that forecast period growth is expected to benefit from strong consumer confidence and rising disposable incomes, with sales of luxury brand sunglasses predicted to perform well.

Strong growth in particular is seen in sales of cosmetic contact lenses, especially circle lenses, as more and more young women look to enhance their appearance.

Those touring the DWTC show floors will find many of the very latest international designer sunglasses and eyewear brands which are being unveiled in the Middle East for the first time this week, underlining the event’s reputation for launching new products that set new fashion trends.

Vision-X 2015 features an expanded Style Atelier showcase which has attracted leading niche fashion names such as Aston Martin, Bentley Eyewear, Cutler and Gross, Fakoshima, Gold & Wood, Histoire de Voir, Hoet, Linda Farrow, Ted Baker, Vanessa & Mehdi, and Viktor & Rolf Vision.

Running alongside the exhibition, the Vision-X Opticare Conference, accredited by the Dubai Health Authority, has assembled a panel of high level speakers to discuss the latest thinking in diagnosis and assessments.

Offering eyecare practitioners three days of professional training, debate and hands-on skills from leading regional and international professionals, the conference features dedicated sessions on myopia control, low vision and key skills for working with children and the elderly, 

At the end of the opening day tonight the votes will be tallied for the Vision-X VP Awards, with 15 winners announced at a glamorous ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Centre.  Acknowledging excellence in the optical business across optical care products and fashion frames, the Awards are organised in collaboration with Vision Plus, the region’s number one eyewear fashion magazine.