Tremendous growth in quality products

By Lalin Fernandopulle

The participation of Sri Lankan companies in the Hotel Asia Exhibition and Culinary Challenge has increased by 20 percent this year, said South Asian Exhibition Services Director, Imran Hassen at the inauguration of the 10th edition of the Hotel Asia Exhibition and Culinary Challenge Competition in the Maldives on Wednesday.

He said that this year over 45 Sri Lankan companies participated in the exhibition which is now held annually. Last year 32 Sri Lankan companies took part in the exhibition and culinary competition.

Hassen said that there has been a tremendous growth in the quality of products and services of the hotel sector with the response from the exhibition which is a boost to the tourism industry.

The Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services Director, Mohamed Ajmal said that there was a 20 percent growth in participation in the hotel show and added that the quality of products and services too had grown by around 20 percent.

He said that participation in the hotel show has increased from 80 stalls to over 150 this year. The Hotel Asian Exhibition had around 2,000 visitors when it was launched in 2000. The number of visitors at this year's exhibition is over 5,000. He said this was the maximum they could host in the conference hall. "We hope to expand facilities and attract more exhibitors next year. The exhibition was held every other year till 2008," he said.

The Maldivian Minister of Economic Development, Ahmed Mohamed said that events of this magnitude gives great opportunity to resorts and suppliers of the hospitality industry to meet under one roof and share their interest.

He said that Sri Lankan hotels are doing well in the Maldives and added that the tourism industry in the Maldives grew by 16 percent in the first five months this year after a set back last year.

He said that participation in the culinary competition has increased by 10 percent and added that competition encourages students the culinary industry to enhance their skills and reach international standards.

He said that financial sector participation is vital for this exhibition which will help boost the tourism sector. Each year the number of officials of resorts participating in the show has increased and this year around 50 officials had participated.

"There is a wider participation of local companies and there has been an increase in foreign company participation too," the Minister said.

Exhibitors said that events of this nature help boost growth of domestic SME sector enterprises. The three-day Hotel Asia and Culinary Competition organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services with the Maldivian Exhibition and Conference Services and the Maldivian Chamber of Commerce concluded on Friday.

The Culinary Challenge is one of the highly anticipated events at the Hotel Asia Exhibition. Chefs and personnel from the best of the Maldivian Resorts and other participating nations vie for top honours at the competition. The Culinary Challenge itself adds a unique and diverse facet to the event, harnessing the best of talent in the region in one place.

Global Culinary Event Organiser, Alan Palmer was the chief judge.

The award and certificates that were given in recognition of the skill and quality of the chefs are regarded as world class endorsements for the participants.