11th Hotel Asia Exhibition to kick-off this Thursday

The 11th edition of the Hotel Asia Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge will be held from 18-21 September at the Dharubaaruge Exhibition Centre, Male, Maldives. Recognised as an international standard exhibition, Hotel Asia is considered the purchasing forum for resorts and hotels annually. The inauguration ceremony will be held on 19 September and the Culinary Challenge will kick-off on 18 September accommodatingover 400 Chefs from 48 resorts for the competition.

Over 200 international suppliers and about 5,000 industry professionals will converge at the Dharubaaruge Exhibition Centre; emphasising and highlighting the strength of international interest and investment in one of South Asia’s most lucrative food, beverage and hospitality markets.

The event is supported and endorsed by the Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism, the Maldives National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Sri Lanka-Maldives Bilateral Business Council and the National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Chambers will be hosting two of the largest pavilions at this year’s expo.

In the run-up for the exhibition preparation Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Ltd. (LECS) the holding company of Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services CEO Aasim Mukthar joined Daily FT for a quick interview:

Q: How did you come up with the project plan for Hotel Asia? 

​A: Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Ltd. or better known as LECS, organises nearly 70% of all trade related exhibitions in Sri Lanka. Having organised many hospitality trade shows in Sri Lanka, it dawned to us that some of these suppliers to the hospitality industry can also supply to our neighbouring countries like Maldives and India. We also noticed that many Maldivians were visiting our shows in Sri Lanka. 

After doing a few feasibility studies, we ventured into Maldives and took a huge risk in organising the first Hotel Asia exhibition in 2000. 

​Q: What is the duration it takes to execute the exhibition every year? 

A: In the initial stages it took us nearly one year to canvass and organise this exhibition. Due to the success throughout the years, the exhibition is now a sold out event with more than 90% being repeat exhibitors. Nevertheless, it still takes us nearly 6-8 months to organise this mega show. 

We have included an International Culinary Challenge Competition to supplement and give more insight for the event. This event is considered as the largest gathering of Chefs under one roof in the Maldives. 

Q: How do you select the exhibitors? Is there a criterion that they have to meet?

A: The only criterion is you have to be a supplier or service provider to the hotel and leisure industry. As mentioned before, 90% are repeat exhibitors. This year, due to a big demand we increased additional 14 stalls spaces to accommodate more exhibitors. We shifted part of our culinary challenge outdoors to accommodate this demand

Q: Who are your longstanding exhibitors? How do they benefit from this exhibition?

A: Benefits are huge when you consider that all our repeat exhibitors have been with us since the inception from the year 2000!

Supplying goods and services to the Maldives is not easy. Many of the resorts are scattered and it is very costly for people to travel often from Island to Island. The exhibition is a one stop shop for both the visitor and exhibitor. The visitor (Chefs, GMs of Resorts and Hotels, Purchasing Managers, Owners of Hotels and Resorts etc.) gets the opportunity to source all their products and services under one roof in three days closer to their work establishment. This saves costs and time of them visiting other International trade shows. Vis versa the exhibitor also is giving the same opportunity. They can meet all their clients under one roof!

Q: How has the exhibition assisted Maldives’ Tourism and Hospitality Industry? 

A: Immensely! The exhibition brings in all the latest technology and knowhow to improve the industry. It also gives an opportunity for the chefs in Maldives to participate in an International Cooking Competition whereby they improve their skills and knowledge to service their clients

Maldives resorts and hotels boast of the best services around the world, many big names have opened up resorts in Maldives. By improving the standards of products and services annually, Maldives can market itself as a popular luxury destination.