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And it was this firm belief in the forum which prompted Ms. Joumana Salamé, managing director of organizing company Hospitality Services, to run HORECA this year with confidence.
"When we started preparing for HORECA 2007, amid a turbulent political situation, I asked the tourism and hospitality industry leaders for advice. I was pleasantly surprised when they insisted that HORECA must proceed. More importantly, they considered HORECA an important meeting point for them to address the future of Lebanon's tourism,"
explained Ms. Salamé.
Major players are confident Beirut will once again become a favorite regional tourist destination, and according to them, HORECA is key factor.
Ministry of Tourism Director General Ms. Nada Sardouk believes that HORECA is definitely an added value. "It's an important yearly event that must proceed, as HORECA is an interactive platform for all key players of the food service and hospitality industry. It creates revenues and job opportunities in tourism."
Added Ms. Sardouk, "Tourism brings important economic revenues to Lebanon, and therefore we should always work on promoting and developing this industry through different vehicles like HORECA. That's why the Forum must always take place, regardless of political unrest."
Restaurants, Cafés, Nightclubs and Pastry Shops Syndicate President Mr. Paul Ariss, said that "HORECA has become deeply-rooted in the cultural basics of our national tourism industry, a live confirmation of our will to keep on."
Mr. Ariss emphasized that HORECA is an institution providing investors, managers and consultants with the basic knowledge to expand and succeed. "Innovative techniques, state-of-the-art equipment and accessories, new products and raw materials, modern hardware and software are all part of the fabulous world that hospitality professionals discover every year at HORECA."
Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
