Sri Lanka’s Largest Hospitality Trade Exhibition will be held for the 15th time on 21st, 22nd and 23rd of July 2023 at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre at the BMICH. It is organised by the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association together with CDC Events. The media launch of the Hotel Show Colombo 2023 was successfully held at the Ramada Colombo Hotel on 31st May 2023. The Hotel Show will be taking place after a lapse of 3 years and with the resurgence of the travel and tourism industry in Sri Lanka and the increased demand for hotel supplies and services,the Hotel Show Colombo 2023 will be providing a platform to showcase all hotel supplies and services under one roof.
The Hotel Show Colombo 2023 will provide support to the small and medium sectors who can find new business openings in the international markets through the increased number of foreign buyers visiting the exhibition.There will also be concurrent events taking place including the The National Barista Championship, National Room Stylists Challenge, Ceylon Tea Master’s Cup, Bar Champs- Bartenders competition and several industry centric Master Classes, to make this event one of the most liveliest and colourful exhibitions to take place this year in Sri Lanka.
While the exhibition will focus on its new theme : “Produce of Sri Lanka”. There will be over 175 stalls from all over the world showcasing products and services ranging from kitchen equipment, linen,housekeeping equipment,leisure and entertainment. Mr. Trevin Gomez, the Chairman of the Organising Committee stated: At a time when tourism is just starting to peak, many hotels and resorts will be looking to upgrade and refurbish their facilities. Keeping in line with this year’s theme: PRODUCE OF SRI LANKA, the organisers wish to give prominence to Sri Lankan made products and services in order to give a boost to the economy”.
Also speaking to media, Mr. Niraj de Mel, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tea Board,stated that more should be done to increase public awareness of Sri Lankan tea, which is a major export, especially amongst the hospitality sector, and to educate the general public on tea pairings, tea mixology and the various types of tea available in the island. He noted that most F&B employees were more knowledgeable on the topics of wines rather than on homegrown tea blends.
The Principal sponsor of the Hotel Show Colombo 2023 is Cargills Ceylon PLC, and Pragmatic International is the Diamond Sponsor, while Suyamas International (Pvt)Ltd ,Venture Hotel Suppliers Pvt Ltd, and World of Outdoor Pvt Ltd are Gold sponsors.The sponsors were felicitated at the media launch by the organisers. The concurrent events of the exhibition will be held in Colombo, Negombo, the Cultural Triangle, and the Central and Southern regions in Sri Lanka. While the finals will be held at the Hotel Show Colombo. Judges of international repute will be flown in for the event.
For the past 25 years the Hotel Show Colombo has been driving and inspiring change in the hospitality industry. It is the largest and most influential hospitality exhibition in the South Asian region and is the essential meeting place for General Managers, Hoteliers, Interior Designers, F&B Managers, Front Office, Housekeepers and prospective buyers who are looking to access the products, information and inspiration to drive the leisure industry forward.
Article by Nelum Buddhadasa