Hotel Asia Exhibition:

Overwhelming response from participants

by Lalin Fernandopulle in the Maldives

The Hotel Asia Exhibition and Culinary Competition held at the Dharubaaruge international conference hall in Male, Maldive Islands, concluded on Friday with a large number of exhibitors being pleased with the overwhelming response they received from participants.

Exhibitors showcasing products ranging from foodstuff, accessories, engineering, communication infrastructure, power generation, hotel room amenities, from Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, USA, Australia, Thailand, Bangladesh and the Middle East participated in the exhibition. An official from Agri Farms and Exporters (Pvt) Ltd, which exports fresh fruits and vegetables to resorts in the Maldives said that they were happy with the response they received from visitors and added that they were able to attract more buyers at this year’s exhibition.

“We plan to expand our exports and hope to gain exposure at next year’s exhibition,” he said.

A spokesman for Royal Blue Fishing (Pvt) Ltd, which supplies fresh fish and seafood to the Maldives said that the company was pleased with the number of clients they attracted at this year's event.

“We have been participating in the Hotel show for several years and each year we have been able to expand our business due to the exposure we get,” he said.International Foodstuffs Group of Companies, Chairman, Sarath de Silva said that IFCO has participated in the hotel show from its inception and had gained wide exposure.Around 46 Sri Lankan companies participated in the Hotel Asia Exhibition which is being held for the 10th consecutive year. The Hotel Asia Exhibition this year attracted around 5,000 visitors from across Asia and other continents. It is one of the mega events in the region promoting business to business meetings and enhancing the quality of products and services in the hospitality industry.Economic Development Minister of the Maldives, Ahamed Mohamed said that the number of participants in the hotel show had increased by around 20 percent year-on-year and the quality of products and services too had increased tremendously.

The culinary competition was a much looked forward to event for many chefs in the region. The exhibition and culinary competition was organised by Lanka Exhibition and Convention Services.