If you are interested on finding out what the latest trends in food and the hospitality industry are, then the 5th Annual Ugandan Hotels and Restaurants Expo 2017 is the thing for you. The exhibition will start tomorrow August 4 and run until Sunday August 6 at Hotel Africana.
The Uganda Hotels & Restaurants Expo according to Jumia country manager Timothy Mugume, is a national-wide celebration of Ugandan beverage companies, hotels, restaurants, cafes, resorts, tour companies, hospitality service providers as well as amenity suppliers, culinary students, food lovers, waiters, waitresses and chefs all under one roof.
About 200 exhibitors are expected to take part in the expo, which has continued to grow following its launch in 2013, and 70 have already confirmed, Mr Mugume added. Last year the event attracted more than 120 hotels and restaurants, 25% up from 90 in 2015.
According to Cynthia Tumwine, the public relations manager at Jumia Travel, one of the expo partners, this year’s edition is set to bring in even more upcountry hotels than last year, and promises show-goers more interaction with the service providers that are taking part.
The other new twists added to the event include waiter competitions, cooking competitions for chefs as well as eating competitions. There event will also feature a pre-expo business meeting as well as awards dinner with surprise artistes lined up to perform.
The Awards Dinner will recognise the best hotels, best chef and best exhibitor among various categories, with an all-expenses-paid trip to Marassa Africa up for grabs from a coupon draw. Entry to the exhibition costs Shs5,000 but show-goers will be allowed to bring their own wine and can sample food from hotels, cafes and restaurants at the expo. Children will be allowed free entry.
At a glance
Uganda’s hospitality industry—including hotels, restaurants and tourism—is one of the fastest growing, with a total industry contribution to GDP that is estimated at 9% (over $2 billion). The industry employs approximately 8% of Uganda’s total workforce—or roughly one in every 10 Ugandans of working age