Business & Money | Tuesday 30 October, 2018 3:39 pm |

GulfHost 2018, the complete hospitality equipment and sourcing expo for the Middle East, Africa and Asia, opens at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) tomorrow (30 October) amid an expanding regional industry and sweeping shifts in consumer preferences as high-end hotels and mid-level options fight for market share with quick-service restaurants.  

The industry-shaping expo, which runs from 30 October to 1 November, is co-located with DWTC’s trio of bespoke food shows. It will host 2,500 brands showcasing more than 8,000 products across six core sectors: Front of House, Back of House and Tableware, as well as new-for-2018 sectors Café & Bar; Gelato & Bakery and HORECA.

With the latest innovations transforming the foodservice and hospitality industries on display, seismic shifts in consumer habits will be debated at the GulfHost Restaurant Development Conference. Powered by the International Center for Culinary Arts (ICCA) in Dubai and the Middle East Food Forum, the conference is an open-door, transformative learning platform hosted by the shining stars of the regional F&B industry.

Buoyant market, changing habits

With Allied Market Research revealing a buoyant regional foodservice equipment market growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.4 per cent, heavy investment by commercial food outlets is driving demand. Top of the shopping list for full-service restaurants, hotels and quick-service restaurants is automated equipment which boosts process efficiency via smart, high-quality equipment solutions.

“Consumer preference has shifted from high-end luxurious hotels to mid-level and quick-service restaurants, owing to an increase in demand for value-for-money food products. Thus, the development of the hospitality industry is anticipated to continue driving market growth in food service equipment sales,” said Shankar Bhandalkar, Sr. Research Analyst, Foods & Beverages at Allied Market Research.

“Experimental food items, limited-edition menus and unique food combinations are the key factors increasing the popularity of quick-service restaurant chains. Customers prefer fresh, appealing, and appetising food at a reasonable cost. An increase in demand for ready-made food and healthy menus, coupled with changes in lifestyle and increased disposable income have led to automated food service solutions replacing traditional cooking equipment in commercial kitchens.”

ACP Inc., a US affiliate of Italian industry heavyweight Ali Group, will demonstrate how it is meeting the needs of an evolving foodservice equipment market with its new New Menumaster® Xpress IQ™ MRX oven. The energy-efficient product boasts an innovative combination of three perfectly-tuned cooking technologies that enhance cavity airflow to deliver even toasting, browning, and crisping.

““ACP has decades of experience in servicing the industry with best-in-class equipment and GulfHost has emerged as an important event for ACP,” said Al Brown, Sales Director, ACP. “With the regional hospitality market rising, driven by new opportunities in Saudi Arabia and the constantly evolving UAE sector, the show offers a great platform to engage with the key hospitality decision makers and meet their foodservice needs.”

Tech, trends and thought leaders

German firm HOBART, a world leader in commercial warewashing technology, will demonstrate its latest developments including a new GP glasswasher, which combines extremely low operating costs with impressive operator comfort to make daily dishwashing as easy as possible. Eliminating the escape of steam during washing, drying and opening the dishwasher, the machine ensures an agreeable room climate.

“We recognise the need for innovative hospitality equipment for efficient service to meet the shifting demands of the consumer and changing industry dynamics. Technology and innovation are at the core of our business and GulfHost 2018 presents HOBART with a tailor-made opportunity to connect with our target buyers and the key hospitality players,” said Elias Majdalani, Sales Manager Middle East.

While the headline sectors of Front of House, Back of House and Tableware will be firmly on the radar of many of the tens of thousands of visitors who descend on DWTC for GulfHost 2018, the introduction of the three new zones will draw new attention, say show organisers.

“As the regional home for hospitality equipment sourcing, GulfHost 2018 will further service a vibrant region that continues to expand with fast-growing hotel, restaurant and innovative catering segments. The show provides industry heavyweights and new players with a unique opportunity to highlight how they are meeting rising demand for innovative equipment across a competitive foodservice sector,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions and Conferences, DWTC.

“Exciting new concepts will be unveiled across the show floor while the challenges and opportunities facing the region’s hospitality industry will be addressed in an expansive conference programme featuring top-level thought leaders spanning the GCC sector.”