CHGSA geared to kick off Hotel Show Colombo 2016, South Asia’s largest hospitality trade fair

• SLITHM celebrates 50 years of Sri Lanka tourism
• Boutique hotels a  fast-growing segment, close to 800 island-wide
• 117 hotels in the pipeline for 2017
• Specialised app to benefit visitors and exhibitors this year
• By Hiruni Dabarera

The 11th edition of the annual expo for hotel supplies and services, Hotel Show Colombo, will be held from 22-24 July at the BMICH, Colombo. 

Organised by the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA), this year’s exhibition expects to bring out futuristic displays and innovations for the benefit of the local and regional hospitality industry focusing on the theme ‘Hospitality Industry Vision 20-20’. 

“Tourism is a fast growing sector in the economy marking a growth of 18% in the arrival of tourists with 1.8 million arrivals last year,” stated Chief Guest of the expo launch ceremony, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Paddy Withana.

Currently there are close to 30,000 hotel rooms available in Sri Lanka in addition to rapidly-growing boutique hotels and apartments. Last year there were 800 boutique hotels reported around the island. A special buyer coordination program has also been incorporated to this year’s Hotel Show to attract this segment further. 

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Paddy Withana addressing the launch and press conference of Hotel Show Colombo 2016. Chefs Guild of Lanka Chairman Chef Gerard Mendis, SLAITO President 

Devindre Senaratne, CDC Events Chairman Chandra Wickramasinghe, CHSGA President Sunil Dissanayake, CHSGA Vice President Sanjeeva Perera, Institute of Hospitality Chairman Sidath Kodikara, Suyamas International Chairman Lalith Wethasinghe, Bocuse D’ Or President Rohan Fernandopulle are also present

“The tourism sector is set out to become the second highest foreign exchange earner in future. By 2025 there will be FDIs worth $ 1.5 billion in the country. Therefore, a good network of hotels and accommodation with quality equipment, work force and hygienic sanitation will be crucial in future. Recently, a gazette was introduced by the Government to register hotels to upkeep their standards,” the Chairman added.

“At the start, the Hotel Show Colombo was organised once in two years. But with increased demand, we now hold it annually,” shared CHSGA President Sunil Dissanayake.

There will be a Food Festival, show cooking of different cuisines (Japanese, Indian/Mogul, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Italian and Thai) by 10 five star hotels from Colombo and the award presentation for the National Bartenders Competition and the Sri Lankan National Barista Championship held in concurrence with the Hotel Show.

The exhibition this year will have many new value additions such as a specialised app for the benefit of the exhibitors and visitors along with high-tech signage.  It will host close to 250 stalls from over 25 countries and is deemed to be the largest hospitality trade fair in South Asia. 

The Ceylon Hotel School was started in 1966 and is currently known as the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM). The CHGSA is the alumni of its graduated students. It has been the backbone of the hotel industry from its infancy. From the early ’70s when the industry began to grow on an organised and structured basis its graduates are the people who man the hotels; 90% of the general managers of the hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka are members of the CHSGA. 

“Between this year and end of next year there will be 23,560 new jobs created for the 117 hotels which are in the pipeline; 50-60% of this employment demand will be catered by SLITHM graduates,” the CHSGA President observed. 

SLITHM’s last year output was 3,100 and plans are underway to graduate 6,200 this year. They have opened new hotel schools in Hambanthota, Pasikudha and Negombo and plan to open more schools in Polonnaruwa and Jaffna within this year. The SLSGA has come up with 200 scholarships for children with financial problems and has already awarded 50 to students in Hambantota earlier this year.

Suyamas International – Lalith Wethasinghe (Chairman) – Diamond Sponsor, Lanka Loha – Mumtaz Siriwardena (Managing Director/Deputy Chairperson) – Platinum Sponsor, Pragmatic International – Prasanna Kurukulasuriya – Gold Sponsor, Nitmo – Charitha Goonasena and Hirantha Goonasena – Gold Sponsor, Abdul Rahims – Bary Jaleel – Gold Sponsor, Sperrys Sunimal Pieris – Gold Sponsor, Lavazza – Lalin Dias – Official Coffee Solution Partner, Atom Media – Preethika Premaratne – Official Digital Signage Partner