After a series of successful events in both Mumbai and Bengaluru since over a decade, the 26th edition of Food Hospitality World (FHW) exhibition is all set to step into a new region – Goa. From September 29 to October 1, 2015, Panaji will witness India’s leading hospitality trade show in the B2B space, where business is buzzing. The Goa market is popular both for MICE as well as the leisure segment. It is also highly popular as a wedding destination, which adds to the positive growth story.
The show aims to cater to this growth story by bringing under one roof a plethora of hospitality product specialists from kitchens to interiors, from bakery to housekeeping and more. Apart from the main exhibition, the event will also play host to some thought provoking sessions. Hospitality Think Tank will have general managers of leading hotels in Goa as panelists discussing the ‘Evolution of Goa as a MICE Destination’. The Hospitality Knowledge Exchange will have general managers of leading resorts and villa owners of Goa discussing ‘Goa as a Resort Destination: The Business of Hoteliering’.
Apart from conversations with industry thought leaders, the show will also put into fore the Culinary Challenge of Goa, which will be co-hosted by the Culinary Forum of Goa. Top chefs across Goa will put on their ‘thinking caps’ to create special menus highlighting the true Goan flavours. Amidst all the action, the show will also witness the launch of a special culinary book tilted ‘Famous Flavours of Goa’ – a collection of unique Goan recipes. A collectors’ copy indeed.
From action in the west, September will also witness action in the east. The 50th annual convention of FHRAI is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. The convention aims to showcase the power of the east. This issue also presents an impressive line up of GMs from the eastern region who have interesting perspectives to share on this region. Most of them are optimistic about the future and are hoping for speedy improvements both in terms of the hardware and software, from air connectivity to attracting skilled manpower.
Finally, the proposed India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) road connectivity initiative will give the tourism sector a new growth avenue. A road trip from the eastern side of India further into the eastern part of the world – a corridor of opportunities – is waiting to take the super highway.
Reema Lokesh
Editor