Hotel Show Colombo 2019 to have positive impact on tourism and hospitality industry

Front row (from left): Colombo City Tourist Hotels Association President M. Shanthikumar, CDC Events & Travels Chairman Chandra Wickramasinghe, Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management Chairman Dilip De Silva, Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association Vice President Asela Wewita, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Johanne Jayaratne, Pragmatic International Chief Executive Officer Prasanna Kurukulasuriya, Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga, Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association President Samantha Gunarathne, Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association Vice President Priyal Perera, Hotel Show Colombo Organising Committee Chairman. Trevin Gomez, Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators Mahen Kariyawasam, Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka President Rohan Fernandopulle, Co-Committee Chairman Niroshan De Silva  

Back row (from left): CDC Events & Travels Managing Director Imran Hassan, Sri Lanka Tea Board Niraj De Mel, Yala Hoteliers’ Association President Gamunu Srilal, Negombo Hoteliers’ Association President Kimberley Adams-Esufali, Kalutara Hoteliers’ Association President Niran Ratwatte, Institute of Hospitality Chairman Thusith Samaraweera, Chefs Guild of Lanka Executive Committee Member Chef Thilak Samaraweera, Cultural Triangle Hoteliers’ Association President Saliya Dayananda, Asian Housekeepers’ Association Secretary Dhammike Dasanayake, Delanka Hotel Catering Equipment and Services Supply Manager Business M. Raeez, and Kandy Hoteliers’ Association President Samantha Ratnayake 

Hotel Show Colombo 2019, a major opportunity to do business with Sri Lanka’s luxury, boutique and resort hotels faces complex challenges; but with an all-out effort to resuscitate the hospitality and tourism industry by all concerned, Government agencies and authorities, consumer demand is expected to rise. 

Organised by Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association, (CHSGA) Hotel Show Colombo 2019 (14th edition) is to be held at the BMICH from 15 to 17 November. Together with event partner CDC Events and supported by its sponsors, Government and Private sector establishments, the event will highlight the fact that the industry can bounce back despite the obstacles and help rebuild the image of Sri Lanka and the industry under a dynamic leadership. As an inducement to hoteliers, which will also indirectly benefit the supplier stall holders, the Finance Ministry announced plans to grant working capital loans at concessionary interest rates for the tourism sector.

As part of the Hotel Show, training programs and qualifying competitions in various sectors are being held in several regions around the country as a run up to the Show. Concurrent events taking place at this year’s Hotel Show would include four main competitions; National Barista Championship, Ceylon Tea Masters Cup, National Room Stylist Challenge and Bar Champs by Pernod Ricard. In addition, there would be the Bocuse ‘d Or Sri Lanka. The Hotel Show Master Class is another eagerly awaited feature of the event. The popular ‘Colombo Food Fest’ also held would be a star attraction with many leading hotels providing a succulent array of food.

A collection of high quality product and service providers ranging from design and décor, guest facing and back of house technology, leisure and wellness, hotel products and amenities, marketing, housekeeping, business services – a platform for business, learning and networking. 

Trevine Gomez, Chairman of the Organising Committee of Hotel Show states, “In order to run a hotel successfully, hoteliers must embrace change and constantly seek to invest in the latest solutions to deliver the ultimate guest experiences, whilst simultaneously streamlining and maintaining efficiency and profitability. The Hotel Show Colombo 2019 unites high quality suppliers with forward thinking hoteliers who share a common vision. This vision is to support the development and successful operation of hotel businesses today and in the future.” With over 300 stalls, including foreign participants and the bonus of having Minor Hotel Group CEO Dilip Rajakarier confirming his presence as the Guest of Honour at the inauguration ceremony, The Hotel Show Colombo 2019 will definitely turn out to be a successful event.