Kuwait City: Hospitality and tourism exhibition, HORECA Kuwait, launched its 13th edition on Tuesday with the participation of local and international field experts. The exhibition is held under the patronage of Information and Culture Minister and Minister of Youth Affairs, Abdurrahman Al-Mutairi, and attended by Information Ministry Undersecretary Dr. Nasser Muhaisen.
According to Kuwait News Agency, while inaugurating the exhibition, Muhaisen affirmed that hosting such events is a translation of leadership’s vision of achieving sustainable development and boosting national economy. HORECA Kuwait provides an exceptional opportunity to exchange expertise in the field, as the sector stands as a pillar of economic growth. It also offers a platform for the latest technological innovations, ensuring Kuwait’s competitiveness across regional and international fronts.
A combination of the words HO(HOTELS), RE(RESTAURANTS), and CA(CAFES), HORECA was formed in Lebanon by Hospitality Services in 1994, after which its branches spread into Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait. The exhibition is not just a display of products and hospitality services but also a meeting point for creatives, experts, and decision-makers. This creates an ample environment for development, fortifying Kuwait’s standing as an attractive center for investments.
Leaders Group Director General Nabila Al-Anjari, chief of the organizing committee, told KUNA that the exhibition will include a variety of activities, meeting market demand. She highlighted the exhibition’s importance in diversifying income sources, creating job opportunities for youth, and providing prospects for talents and skilled workers. HORECA’s franchisee was acquired by Leaders Group, and as a result, it was inaugurated in Kuwait in 2012.
Al-Anjari also emphasized His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s directives of economic reformations to address structural faults in the single-source economic system. She pointed out that the three-day fair will see the participation of 100 companies, 500 international brands, 8,000 visitors, and 30 keynote speakers. It will also feature its trademark Culinary Art Show, where chefs participate in competitions to showcase their skills and be evaluated by international judges.
Al-Anjari underlined the government’s directions of hosting regional and international championships, saying that it economically rejuvenated the sector, most recently with Khaleeji Zain 26. United Nations Regional Director of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Basmah Al-Mayman recalled Kuwait’s long-standing tourism sector, saying that it had been attracting visitors since the 1960s.
Al-Mayman noted that the New Kuwait 2035 vision is a step towards a prosperous and more sustainable future, aiming to make Kuwait a financial, commercial and cultural regional hub. She spoke of Kuwait’s capabilities as a founding member of UNWTO, in becoming an international destination, stating it would necessitate a comprehensive strategy, as well as investment and touristic planning, in addition to an active partnership with the private sector.