HORECA 2005 turns spotlight on Beirut as a hospitality hub

The turnout is expected to reach new levels with record numbers of international exhibitors and local and foreign visitors having already confirmed.

Expectations are high that this showcase for the Levant will act as a catalyst in kickstarting the hospitality season. Mrs. Joumana-Dammous Salamé, Managing Director of organizing company Hospitality Services, said: "The exhibition is the ideal way to relaunch the hospitality sector in the face of recent developments.

"With all the network opportunities and events such as the Salon Culinaire, Horeca's mission this year is to stimulate the sector after this slowdown. There is no question that Lebanon will bounce back very shortly."

Major players in the sector are just as confident about this summer season. From a tourism, hotel and restaurant perspective, Beirut is poised to once again become the region's favorite regional destination:

Nada Sardouk, Ministry of Tourism Director General Mrs. Nada Sardouk said HORECA is hugely suignificant for the region. She added: "The hospitality sector will recover this summer. It is the nature of the country.

"The flow of tourists from the Arab World and Europe is going to increase, which will have a positive effect on the hospitality sector especially on hotels, restaurants, furnished apartments, and entertainment facilities.

"Recently, we have seen spectacular growth in the number of hotels partnered with international chains. HORECA can play an important role in helping their business to develop by expanding the scope and impact of the exhibition."

Pierre Al Ashkar, President of The Syndicate of Lebanese Hotel Owners, Mr. Pierre Al Ashkar, said HORECA would provide a showcase for the genuine stability that now exists in the country. He said: "HORECA, uniquely, is able to build up momentum behind the positive images that are emerging out of Lebanon. The show is a big attraction for exhibitors from all over the world who will come here and discover that the country is promising again, which will in turn positively affect public opinion abroad."

"This year we will see an increase in the participation of Lebanese expatriates. Now that the country has regained stability and sovereignty, Lebanese living abroad are interested in returning and, possibly, investing. From the evidence I have seen in my own hotels it is apparent that reservations are high from this category of visitor.

"Beirut's general hotel occupancy was 46 per cent in May, which is hopeful."

Paul Ariss, Lebanon has triggered global curiosity and HORECA's continuation this year is living proof that Lebanon is back on its feet providing its own unique services, said Mr. Paul Ariss, the Restaurants, Cafés, Nightclubs and Pastry Shops Syndicate head.

He added: "Thousands of Arabs, Europeans, Americans and Canadians who have witnessed the peaceful revolution of the last two months on their TV screens are curious to visit Lebanon, to meet its people and discover its culture and nature.

"HORECA has been and will continue to be a fabulous business card to the hospitality industry in Lebanon and the entire Middle East. The fact that there was never any hint of canceling will count with the professionals, locals and foreigners and help maintain their faith in Lebanon.

"HORECA offers proof of the high quality services that Lebanon provides to its own community as well as to its neighboring countries."