Horeca 2006 is set to kick start Lebanon's hospitality sector

Horeca 2006 is to be a significant catalyst in jumpstarting a promising hospitality season for this year in Lebanon, explained Mrs. Joumana Damous Salamé, Managing Director of the trade show's organizing company, Hospitality Services. "Despite all of the events that took place in Lebanon last year, I believe holding Horeca at the onset of 2006 can help vitalize the hospitality sector," said Mrs. Salamé.

"Having already a high confirmation of foreign participation, in addition to the participation of major players from the Lebanese hospitality industry, is a good indication that Horeca's mission this year is to help stimulate the sector by offering more foreign exposure and more networking opportunities," added Mrs. Salamé.

President of The Syndicate of Lebanese Hotel Owners, Mr. Pierre Al Ashkar, considers Horeca as a way to reinstate stability in the minds of foreigners. "Horeca promotes a certain segment of Lebanon's tourism and that is hospitality. It opens the doors to foreign professionals as exhibitors, chefs, food industrialists and others to experience a good business atmosphere and hence they'll go back to their countries and convey the message that Lebanon is moving forward strongly despite the setbacks."

Lebanon has triggered global curiosity and holding Horeca this year confirms once again that Lebanon is back on its feet, providing its own unique services, explained Mr. Paul Ariss, Restaurants, Cafés, Nightclubs and Pastry Shops Syndicate Head.

"Horeca is set to launch the 2006 tourism season and will produce a renewed energy within the Lebanese tourism professionals and instill lots of confidence in the minds and hearts of all those who plan to spend their next vacations in Lebanon," said Ariss.

Mr. Ariss praised the Lebanese hospitality professionals: "They are so imaginative & creative and Horeca is their Ali Baba cavern full of treasures and wonders. The unique quality services they provide to their visitors and guests make Lebanon a fabulous business card for the hospitality industry in the entire Middle East."

Ariss called for a joint effort accompanied by an adequate strategy, public & private, to be put into action as soon as possible in order to provide all potential visitors to Lebanon with maximum assurance and encourage them to choose Lebanon as a final destination during 2006. "This is a call for all media, especially the satellite TVs: you must by all means participate in such a campaign to help Lebanon be on the rise again," concluded Ariss.

Many first timer companies and countries will join the Horeca loyals in this year's edition. Cyprus, Italy and Belgium have confirmed their participation.

Horeca 2006 will feature the region's largest Hospitality Annual Award Ceremony, the Annual Hospitality Forum, the Atelier Gourmand-workshops & live cooking demonstrations on the latest culinary global trends, the Hospitality Salon Culinaire, Meeting Point, latest trends and design in Deco'tel, Table Setting Competition, The Lebanese Bartenders Competition, TechZone and the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Industries Pavilion which will present the best food that Lebanon has to offer.