Jordan's largest hospitality event kicks off on 30th October 2007

IHF, held under the patronage of His Excellency Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Mr. Osama Dabbas, has moved to Jordan's newest exhibition center, Amman Exhibitions Park, owned and operated by IFP Jordan. Amman Exhibitions Park is located off the airport highway opposite Dunes Club.

'We have opted to move the International Hospitality Forum with its various components to Amman Exhibitions Park to cater for the increased demand on exhibition space and on space required for the various popular competitions that we organise alongside the trade show', said Samar Shawareb Ashqar, Managing Director of Events UnLimited.

The 7th edition of the International Hospitality Forum is expected to witness alliances among major companies aimed at obtaining a slice of the millions of dollars that are being invested in Jordan's growing tourism industry.

According to international studies, the Middle East region is expected to invest more than three trillion US dollars in the tourism, travel and airline industry until 2020. Moreover, more than 200 news hotels should be constructed, adding around 100,000 hotel rooms within the next 13 years.

Tourism contributes over 11% of Jordan's GDP, making it a significant sector for economic growth and job creation. This growth in the tourism sector is considered an important strategic goal that enhances sustainable economic and social development of Jordan. Such growth is also in line with the goals of the National Tourism Strategy, which aims to double Jordan's tourism economy by 2010.

Therapedic, distributors of high quality sleep products, joins IHF as a main sponsor. 'We are excited to be joining this professional annual event for the 3rd consecutive year. We have many new products that we will be displaying at our stand at the exhibition', said Rami Kawar, General Manager of Arab Foam Factories Company, home for THERAPEDIC & TEMPUR Sleep Products. 'Our product range will include mattresses, linen, pillows, sofa beds and more. We will also be organising the 2nd annual bed-making competition which is open for housekeeping teams at 4 and 5-star hotels in Jordan' added Kawar.

Other sponsors include Fine Hygienic Paper Company, On Stage, Nestle Foodservices, as well as, Abdin Industrial Establishment and Yousef Haddad & Sons Company distributors of J&B, Smirnof and Gordons' alcoholic beverages.

'The strength of the International Hospitality Forum, said Mrs. Joumana Dammous Salame, co-organiser of the event, 'lies in the diversity of its activities and its interactive nature that brings together all the tourism and hospitality stakeholders of Jordan and the region under one roof.'

The 3-day event features several interesting activities including an international trade exhibition of products and services needed for hotels, restaurants and other similar establishments; Table Setting Competition running under a 'Christmas Dinner' theme; Bartenders' Competition; Barista Championship; Bed-Making Competition; Seminars, workshops, press conferences and several other special events and award ceremonies. Over 100 companies will be taking part in the exhibition including at least 15 companies from Lebanon, a Dutch pavilion of 7 companies and other Jordanian companies representing both locally manufactured goods and the latest international products and services.

Nearly 100 chefs from hotels, restaurants and patisseries will compete in 15 categories of the Culinary Art Show at IHF which includes live cooking, pastry, mezza, sandwiches, carving and more. The chefs will be judged by an outstanding panel of judges from around the world, including celebrity French pastry chef Yves Thuries world-famous chocolatier and master of patisserie.

'The culinary competitions were really a breakthrough in the industry, and especially in the art of cooking,' says industry consultant Adnan Habbo, who is also a member of the jury judging the competitions. 'The industry greatly values this show which gives chefs the capability to prove and improve their skills.'

Gold medal winners in the culinary competitions will get a chance of a lifetime to visit two of Switzerland's greatest hospitality training institutes on a 2-week training course at Glion Institute for Higher Education and Le Roches, represented locally by Jwainat International Hotel Development.

Last year's event drew over 3,500 trade visitors of whom 95% came from Jordan, while the others came from Syria, Lebanon, UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Iraq and Palestine.