GCC tourism, hospitality sector set to reach $36.7bn by 2020

Dubai / Emirates Business

Despite the short-term
challenges posed by global macroeconomic factors across the GCC, the region’s tourism and hospitality industry remains on an upward trajectory as govern- ments recognize the potential of the sector in enabling revenue diversification and job creation, and actively invest in its development.
Set to be worth $36.7 billion by 2020 according to Euromonitor International, and with a number of global events that include Expo 2020 Dubai scheduled to draw millions of visitors to the region, the industry is in critical need of a dedicated hospitality and foodservice platform to support its development.
Launching during Dubai International Hospitality Week, an initiative endorsed by Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), GulfHost 2017 is the first dedicated hospitality and food services expo in the Middle East. Organized by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which also owns and organizes the world’s largest annual food trade show Gulfood, the new exhibition takes place from Sept 18-20 and is co-located with four other shows.
These include DWTC’s established trio of niche food events – The Speciality Food Festival, SEAFEX Middle East and yummex Middle East – and The Hotel Show, organised by dmg events, to enable the full spectrum of sourcing for one of fastest growing hotel, F&B and tourism markets in world.
“Not only does Dubai lead the region in hospitality and tourism development, in some cases it leads the world. From major international hotel chains and restaurants to top celebrity chefs, and from world class tourist attractions to the widest range of global cuisines, Dubai provides a reference point for even
the most established of markets. With world leading trade events such as Gulfood playing a key
role in bringing more suppliers and visitors to Dubai every year than any other annual food trade show in the world, Dubai truly is on the hospitality and F&B map. Hosting Dubai International Hospitality Week and co-locating five complementary shows adds yet another dimension of
excellence,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions
& Events Management (DWTC).
“Dubai is also the gateway for both the west and the east to markets such as India, Africa, Asia, Europe, and The Middle East all with growing hospitality sectors. GulfHost will enable buyers to connect with suppliers, gain the latest knowledge and source from a range of hospitality and food service equipment, all within the most convenient, organized and dedicated arena, and service their additional needs at the other four co-located shows.”
A first for the region, GulfHost showcases the A-Z of hospitality: a full inventory of back of house solutions that include commercial ovens and culinary equipment, fittings and utensils; a wide spectrum of front of house elements to help deliver exceptional dining experiences that will stand out in a competitive market; and the latest café and bar counter solutions, products and services to serve one of the fastest growing coffee cultures in the world.
More than 2,000 exhibitors will participate across DIHW, with GulfHost alone hosting 16 country pavilions and demonstrating the global importance of serving the region. Major countries include Italy, Spain, UK, France, Germany, Portugal, Turkey, Greece, China, Korea, Taiwan, India, Lebanon, Australia, Netherlands and Egypt.
Key exhibitors at GulfHost include A. Ronai, Ali Group, Alto Sham, Cimbali, Falcon Kitchen, Henny Penny, La Marquise, Manitowoc, The Middleby Corporation and RAK Porcelain, among many others.
With more than 40 years of operation in the Middle East, leading distributor Rio International’s General Manager, Abdul Rahman Zaki, said: “GulfHost comes at an important time in the regional development of the hospitality industry. Rio International has been operating here for over four decades, providing top quality and innovative food processing and catering equipment to customers across the Middle East and Asia, and to have a show that can focus in an all-encompassing way on everything the hospitality trade needs is valuable for both us and our customers.”
A back of house global leader in commercial cooking equipment, The Middleby Corporation will present a broad range of advanced products at GulfHost. The company’s Regional Vice President, Nabil El Baba highlighted the importance of the show for the US organization: “As the world leader in commercial cooking equipment, it is important for The Middleby Corporation to be at GulfHost 2017.