The event, the largest hospitality and food fair to be held in Southern Thailand, is aimed at showcasing Phuket’s status as a hub of the hospitality and food industry,” explained Phusit Sasitaranondha, Managing Director of leading trade fair and event organiser Expolink Global Network Ltd.
Phuket has a strong tourism economy and is a world-class tourism destination with hundreds of resorts and hotels, and well-developed infrastructure, he said.
“This, together with an international airport that connects to many countries around the world makes Phuket a key hub for the hospitality and food industry in the region,” Mr Phusit noted.
Expolink has joined efforts with the government as well as the local business community to make this the number one event for the industry, Mr Phusit told a press conference held at Royal Phuket Marina yesterday (Oct 28), attended by representatives from Phuket City, the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the National Food Institute (NFI), Thailand Chefs Association and Phuket Vocational College
More than 60 leading companies from Thailand’s hospitality and food industry will exhibit at the show, to be staged in at Royal Phuket Marina’s Exhibition Hall. Exhibitors include Sea Value Group, Smile Equipment Co Ltd, NTS Mart Co Ltd, K2 Company Limited, i-Cream Solutions and many more.
“FOOD and HOTELEX 2015 is developed under the theme ‘Your world class destination for food and hospitality industry’ and will be the largest hospitality and food trade fair in the region,” explained Mr Phusit.
Highlight activities at the show include the Thailand Junior Chef Championship and The Night of Wines, which is a networking event where local businesses can meet with leading suppliers to develop new business opportunities.
Phuriphan Boonnak, Director of Domestic Marketing Promotion Division, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), noted, “Being held in Phuket, FOOD and HOTELEX 2015 will help drive and support Thailand’s tourism industry and also trade fairs and MICE, in line with TCEB’s policy to support and grow trade fairs and domestic exhibitions in Thailand.
“We hope FOOD and HOTELEX 2015 will help to distribute goods in the region and be a model for other provinces in Thailand.”
The upcoming Phuket edition of the FOOD and HOTELEX follows the success of the inaugural FOOD & HOTELEX in Khon Kaen last year, which attracted 8,000 visitors and generated B100 million in business.
Capitalising on the event’s success, Expolink Global Network have expanded to more locations. This year, events were held in Surat Thani in July and in Khon Kaen in September, ahead of the Phuket event in November.
The Phuket FOOD and HOTELEX will be open daily from 11am to 8pm. Entry is free.