DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — GulfHost is back from 30 October – 1 November 2018. Reflecting regional demand, the second edition of the Gulfood Hospitality and Food service Expo is doubling its sector coverage including dedicated zones for gelato and bakery and café and bar along with HoReCa.
More than 2500 brands are revving up to showcase 8000 products across six core sectors at the exhibition, drawing 25000 buyers in the international hospitality trade business.
New dedicated zones at GulfHost 2018:
- Café & Bar
As affluent consumers increasingly view coffee as an artisan, specialist and quality experience, the Middle East coffee industry is expected to reach a value of $4.4 billion by 2021. Moreover, the millennial drive out of home coffee growth means coffee shop sales are expected to hike by 8.9% in the UAE.
- Gelato & Bakery
The artisan, premium batch and low fat appeal of Italian gelato has driven annual global growth of 4% between 2015 and 2018. The UAE gelato and ice-cream sector is forecast to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7% from 2016 to 2021.In Saudi Arabia the gelato and ice-cream sector is forecast to grow at a CAGR of more than 7% from 2016 to 21 while the rapid growth of the food service industry is expected to fuel demand for ready-to-eat snacks, especially bakery products.
- HoReCa
According to the real estate market advisory firm Colliers International, Saudi Arabia is expected to be a hotel and tourism hot spot in the GCC with many potential new opportunities opening up within the sector and across the value chain. Spurred by the country’s latest diversification plans, new visa programs and large scale projects, Saudi Arabia’s five year forecasted CAGR currently sits at a significant 13.5% ahead of Oman at 11.8% and the UAE at 10.1%. Key HoReCa trends for the GCC region include staff being empowered to multitask with the use of new technology, location based services enabling a new level of interaction with guests and behavioural data analysis driving bespoke and effective loyalty programs.
