Tourism Expo in October

To meet the government's target of 2.5 million tourists by the year and rooms to be increased to 45,000 and existing ones to be upgraded, two of the world's leading companies in the exhibition industry have come forward to put together an international exhibition in Sri Lanka focusing on the hospitality industry. Hotel Hospitality and Food Sri Lanka is scheduled to be held from October 27 to 29 at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre.

The exhibition will enable hoteliers, restaurant owners and others in the industry to source supplies and also enable the existing suppliers to launch and introduce new lines of products to this thirsting market.

Asked why they selected Sri Lanka, Charlie Wrey from Montgomery Worldwide said it was because the country's tremendous business opportunity and the growth potential that it has.

Asked why they targeted tourism, Emile Gunesekera from Pico Sri Lanka said that tourism is tagged to be the leading industry in Sri Lanka in the coming years. "We have some wonderful suppliers locally who do not have a regular platform to showcase their product offerings; this will give them that opportunity. Also, through many encounters we have come to know that hoteliers need to travel out of Sri Lanka to source certain requirements that are yet to be distributed in Sri Lanka. Therefore we are committed to bring these suppliers to our country making it a convenient way of sourcing," he said.

Some of the views expressed by the duo.

Q: What will the expo offer the local market?

A: The exhibition is the first step towards internationalization of the exhibition industry in Sri Lanka. The exhibition industry is at an early growth stage and it is a very important element in the growth of an economy and more specifically an industry. It will also enable local buyers to source supplies in more economical fashion.

Q: How will an exhibitor benefit by such an exhibition?

Emile Gunesekera

Charlie Wrey

A: The benefits are plenty. Every exhibitor wants to grow sales and we are all in the business of selling. Therefore it is essential that you focus on the benefits and how to derive these benefits. Firstly you are able to demonstrate your products and services to your client's right in front of them, clients get to touch, feel and question. It is a concentrated and interactive method of marketing your products.

What is more advantageous is the way you could attract your target audience. Visitors have many needs and what's more, they can kill many birds with one stone. It gives exhibitors an opportunity to invite their target audience to their booth. The visitor will come because it caters to many of his needs all at once.

Q: Who are the potential visitors to the exhibition?

A: This is something we have given a lot of thought to, as the exhibition needs to maintain its focus. The right exhibitor and the right visitor in perfect balance is what we strive to achieve. The visitors will be hoteliers, entrepreneurs, investors, decision makers, general managers, supplies managers, chefs, engineers, architects, interior designers, restaurant owners and managers and everyone with direct focus and interest in the industry and those who want to be future stakeholders of the hotel industry.

Q: Any other way that the exhibition will benefit its visitors?

A: Indeed, apart from convenience most company products are evolving into more superior and efficient products. You travel to most countries and even the smallest hotels are well equipped with modern and more convenient technology and superior facilities. This will enable visitors to experience the latest products in the market. It will give way to upgrading to the latest designs and technology. The show will contribute to uplift the overall offering to tourists who visit Sri Lanka.

Q: What is the focus of the exhibition?

A: Actually the exhibition has a very clear focus and it will cater to the hotel and hospitality industry, from five star hotels to guest houses to restaurants, coffee shops and so on. As far as the hotels are concerned all types of supplies ranging from hardware to software will be at this exhibition. Every single need of a hotel will be looked into.

Q: What are the highlights of the event?

A: Firstly, the event will be of international standard, the entire event set up will be something out of the ordinary and not seen in Sri Lanka before. As for highlights, the event will showcase many firsts in Sri Lanka and announcements will follow with exciting ways that the exhibition can benefit you.

Q: What is the future of the exhibition?

A: The future of the exhibition and the industry is very good and bright. We plan on having a good international exhibition that the industry can look forward to time and again.