Horeca Lebanon opens its doors with an increased number of exhibitors

Despite the uncertainty weighing on Lebanon in terms of security and Israel's often deadly operations in the south, the 29th edition of the Horeca Lebanon Show, organized by Hospitality Services and dedicated to the hospitality sector, opened its doors as planned on Tuesday in an almost normal atmosphere.

The event, open to professionals and students in hospitality and catering, takes place over four days at the Seaside Arena (formerly BIEL) in Beirut, already causing heavy traffic in the afternoon near the venue.

"We have been organizing the show for several years in a context of uncertainty. This year was no exception. We had last-minute cancellations, guests who were afraid to come to Lebanon. But in the end, we still managed to pull it off," Randa Damous Pharaon, director of the Horeca Lebanon Show, told L'Orient-Le Jour.

"The number of participants is up by about 10 percent, and all spaces were booked since January. The participants bet that 2025 would be a good year," she said. "We didn't have enough space. If all goes well, we will need to rent a larger space next year."

While the 2024 edition attracted 19,000 people, the organizers hope to attract more than 20,000 this year, coming from Lebanon and elsewhere.

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Four ministers were present at the inauguration: Laura al-Khazen Lahoud (Tourism), Amer Bsat (Economy), Joe Issa al-Khoury (Industry) and Nizar Hani (Agriculture). First Lady Neemat Aoun took a tour of the stands spread over 10,000 square meters of exhibition space, surrounded by a swarm of photographers following her every step.

During the ceremony, Joumana Damous-Salameh, sister of Randa and general director of the organization, listed the various promises of the event, including inviting Guillaume Gomez, former chef of the Elysée and French ambassador for gastronomy; Top Chef France 2021 winner Mohammed Sheikh; and French star chef Alain Geam.

Among other numbers mentioned: 350 local and international exhibitors, 150 experts and guests, as well as nearly 2,000 Lebanese, Arab, and international brands represented. In the aisles, industrial equipment — ovens, cold rooms, and other packaging lines — sit alongside various food and beverage offerings and spaces dedicated to conferences and culinary workshops, where more than 25 events, including cooking or mixology competitions, are scheduled.

Hospitality Services organizes several similar events in other countries in the region, including the Gulf.