First joint Hotel and Restaurant Trade Show to be held in Barcelona

The first joint edition of the Hotel and Restaurant Trade Show is to be held in Barcelona from April 16 to 19, with the aim of launching itself as a “platform for internationalization.”  

The event will bring together Hostelco and Alimentaria, “two of the most important trade fairs in their respective sectors,” according to Hostelco’s website.

‘Success’

Josep Lluís Bonet , the president of the Fira de Barcelona, where the event will take place, has assured that “it will be a success.”

The fair will bring together 4,500 companies and 150,000 professionals dedicated to the food and beverage and hotel industries. Bonet stated that it will place Barcelona in the “world centre of food.”

Organizers have said that “recent events” on a political level in Catalonia have had no effect on the forecast of the event, which will bring together Alimentaria, an alliance of the food and beverage industry, and Hostelco, representing hotels.

Antoni Valls, director of Alimentaria, pointed out that almost all of the site be occupied by “large companies and organizations in the sector.”

‘Leverage’

Bonet highlighted that one of the main objectives of the joint trade show is to create “leverage” for small and medium-sized companies in the sector. 1,400 “key buyers” have been invited to attend with this in mind, Bonet stated. He also pointed out how around 12,500 meetings will be held between exhibiting firms.

New products

Over the four days of the event, more than 300 new products will be revealed at the ‘Innoval’ exhibition of ‘The Alimentaria Hub’. Included among these are novelties such as gin and tonic croquettes and Kit Kat pizzas.

The main innovations will focus on healthier products aimed at reducing the amount of sugar, salt, and fat in food and drink while still tasting and looking good.

Top chefs

Alimentaria’s president, Antoni Valls, asserted that “gastronomy is a differentiating pillar of this edition.” The who will bring together 35 chefs sharing a total of 45 Michelin stars between them.