Commerce Minister Launches THAIFEX – HOREC Asia2024, Marking Thailand as the HoReCa Business Hub of Asia, Expected Over 1
Billion Baht in Trade Value, from March 6-8 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani

· Press Release,2024

On March 6, 2024- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai presided over the opening ceremony of THAIFEX – HOREC Asia 2024, targeting the export market of the HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and catering) industry to enhance Thailand's potential as the centre for the hotel, restaurant, and catering business sector in Asia. Organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Ministry of Commerce, the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), and Koelnmesse (KM), this event aims to create jobs and drive the Thai economy forward, taking place at IMPACT Exhibition Center, Halls 9-12.

Mr.Phumtham stated that our country currently faces economic challenges that require resolution and growth. Today's event offers new trade opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs, especially the HoReCa sector, which includes hotels, restaurants, and catering services, playing a significant role in meeting the demands of the tourism industry. Recently, the Prime Minister envisioned Thailand as a Tourism Hub, leveraging the country's beautiful tourist sites, local cultures, natural resources, and warm climate throughout the year to advance our strengths. He thanked the three co-organisers for making this event possible, which will serve as a gateway for the tourism industry to move forward with potential. Thailand is ranked 8th in the world for tourist arrivals, with the tourism industry generating over 2.3 trillion baht, accounting for 70% of the annual budget expenditure. The Thai government, elected just six months ago, sees the importance of offering visa-free entry to tourists from various countries to boost the Thai tourism business and promote primary and secondary cities, enhancing value creation with the support of the government sector."

"Based on business registration data, we have 11,540 hotel and resort operators, 21,695 restaurant businesses, and 606 catering services, numbers that continue to rise. Given these strengths, the Ministry of Commerce sees an opportunity to push Thailand to become the centre of the HoReCa business in Asia. Building on the success of THAIFEX – ANUGA Asia through the collaboration between the Department of International Trade Promotion, the Ministry of Commerce, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Koelnmesse, we have extended this to the organisation of THAIFEX - HOREC Asia. This will create trade opportunities for Thai
entrepreneurs in the HoReCa business. This event, held for the first time this year, will create trade opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs in the HoReCa business sector, featuring over 359 companies from 23 countries around the world, with an anticipated attendance of more than 20,000 visitors. This emphasises Thailand's potential as a significant trade platform, unlocking the future of the HoReCa industry, and creating opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs to expand into international markets," Mr. Phumtham added.

As one of the world’s most comprehensive HoReCa trade fairs, THAIFEX – HOREC Asia
2024 spans 27,000 sq.m., and covers 9 segments, namely Bakery & Ice Cream, Cafe & Bar, Cleaning & Laundry, Dining, Furnishing, Kitchen, Services, Tech and Wellness, along with a special zone ‘HoReCa World’.

The event highlights include the ASEAN Barista Team Championship, ThailandUltimate Housekeeping Challenge, and an innovative product showcase at the THAIFEX– HOREC Xperiential Zone, presenting the products that are shaping thefuture of HoReCa trends. There is also the THAIFEX – HOREC Academy,which brings together industry experts who share their knowledge through live talks, panel discussions, workshops, cooking demonstrations, and various other informative and enjoyable activities throughout the three-day event.

THAIFEX– HOREC ASIA 2024 is held 6 to 8 March 2024, from 10.00 to 18.00 hrs. at IMPACT
Exhibition Centre, Hall 9-12, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani. For more information
and registration, visit www.thaifex-horec.asia.

-ENDS-

About THAIFEX - HOREC Asia

THAIFEX - HOREC Asia is a leading event for the hospitality industry inAsia, showcasing the latest innovations and trends in the HORECA sector. With a
focus on sustainability, efficiency, and technological advancements, THAIFEX -
HOREC Asia aims to drive the industry towards a more sustainable and prosperous
future.

Media Resources

Organisers 

Department of International TradePromotion, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand

The Departmentof International Trade Promotion is committed to providing excellent service toThai entrepreneurs in international business, including trade facility, cost
reduction, value creation of goods and services, providing consultation for
overseas market access and maintenance, as well as close cooperation with the
private sector to promote Thailand as a major gateway of Asia. http://www.ditp.go.th/ 

Thai Chamber of Commerce

The Thai Chamberof Commerce represents as the Thai private sector to facilitate business and
trade as well as to serve as the central coordinating agency between the
government and private sector, and also helps to promote trade, business and economic
cooperation including, build relationships between Thai and partner countries
at the bilateral and multilateral level as well as plays a proactive role in
representing the interests of the local Thai business community. https://www.thaichamber.org/

Koelnmesse Asia Pacific – GlobalCompetence in Food and FoodTec

Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising food fairs and events regarding food and
beverage processing. Trade fairs such as the Anuga, ISM and Anuga FoodTec are
established world leaders. Koelnmesse not only organises food and food
technology trade fairs in Cologne, Germany but also in further growth markets
around the globe, for example, in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Italy, Japan,
Thailand, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, which have different
focuses and contents. These global activities enable us to offer our customers
a network of events, which in turn grant access to different markets and thus
create a basis for sustainable and stable international business. Further
Information is available at: https://www.koelnmesse.com/current-dates/all-trade-fairs/

MediaContacts

PINPOINT PR Pte. Ltd.

Illka Gobius +65 97698370

Windy Oktaviani +62 811 910 9266

Organiser

Faith Lim

+65 9230 6126
faith.lim@koelnmesse.com.sg