Scores of visitors flocked to attend the three-day Hospitality Qatar 2016 yesterday at Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC).
With 132 exhibitors from 10 countries spread on a 7,500sqm space at DECC, this second edition of the Hospitality and Hotel/Restaurant/Café (HORECA) show is the biggest gathering of buyers and suppliers in the hospitality sector in Qatar.
The show is organized by IFP Qatar.
A number of participants expressed excitement and optimism at yesterday’s opening of the trade show.
“This is our second consecutive year participating in Hospitality Qatar, and we are excited to be part of this show, in particular due to its increasing profile across the region. We have high hopes and expectations that Hospitality Qatar will be the perfect location to showcase our state-of-the-art kitchen products,” said Nadim Solh, Operations Manager of INOX Kitchen, which is this year’s Associate Sponsor.
There is great enthusiasm among the participants with regard to this year’s B2B match-ups, which easily brings buyers and sellers together via a dedicated networking mobile app.
“We are proud to be a part of this top-tier exhibition in our industry. There are numerous suppliers and buyers whom we are in contact with through B2B match-ups which we expect will help us achieve our mission of delivering the highest quality five-star hotel and dining experience to residents and visitors of Qatar,” said Pascal Eggerstedt, General Manager at InterContinental Doha The City, the show’s official hotel.
This is the first time the show is held at the DECC which is a bigger and more accessible venue and is expected to exceed last year’s 7,346 trade visitors from around the world.
Five countries have their own national pavilions at the show including Turkey, China, Kuwait, Pakistan and Austria. Other participating countries include Bahrain, Germany, Egypt, Lebanon and Qatar.
Licensed by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), the event is held under the patronage of the Minister of Economy and Commerce H E Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, who led yesterday’s opening ceremony.
The event provides a progressive platform for HORECA operators to showcase their latest products and build new business opportunities.
One of the important activities held yesterday was Boecker’s health safety training and tips in implementing grading and classification system in the hospitality sector.
The much anticipated Salon Culinaire in which more than 250 chefs from hotels and restaurants in Qatar are taking part kicked off yesterday. They competed in various categories including signature dish, bread, hors d’oeuvre, terrine/pate and the exciting live vegetable and fruit carving.
Hospitality Qatar 2016 is open today and tomorrow from 3pm to 9pm. Registration is free.
The Peninsula
19 October
