Gulfood Live

+++ Louise Oakley has just returned from the Gulfood Conference with several interesting stats and predictions for the F&B industry.

The next markets for regional expansion are Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Syria, according to Business Monitor International food and drink analyst Shonil Chande.

The main drivers for growth would be macroeconomic – as disposable incomes in these countries grow, people can spend more on F&B – demographics, and the under-developed food and drink markets in these countries.

Chande repeatedly highlighted Egypt at the key frontier market, with Iraq in second place. Within the GCC, he said the UAE and Saudi Arabia would continue to grow.

+++ Also speaking at the Gulfood Conference were Rob O’Hanlon and Tracy Baron of Deloitte & Touche’s Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Group.

As well as analysing hotel performance, they reviewed the performance of the conference sector in the region – with very positive outcomes.

Conference occupancy hovered just under 50% for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi during 2009, meaning there is still lots of capacity for growth. In terms of revPAR, the both emirates compared favourably to Frankfurt and London.

With the addition of more limited service hotels in the emirates – O’Hanlon cited Premier Inn and Park Inn in particular – there is room for Dubai to take on the conference market with great success.

O’Hanlon forecast this market would have a “really exciting” role to play in Dubai’s future.

+++Dito Sama has been relaunched by Electolux Professional. To get the details of this visit stand ZF48 in Zabeel Hall.

+++Nestle Professional is using Gulfood as a platform to relaunch its Nestea range ahead of the hot summer months; visit the stand for a refreshing taste of iced tea in either lemon or peach flavours. Zabeel Hall, Z-F21.


+++If you fancy finding out what makes a perfect mocktail, pay a visit to Monin's stand, where dedicated baristas are creating delicious refreshing concoctions live infront of visitors.

+++Meanwhile ABC Baking is seeing a lot of footfall in Hall 4, Stand C422. The company is promoting its 2010 catalogue of breads and pastries, as well as its new fresh product delivery system, to meet the needs of hotels, cafes and restaurants without on-site baking capabilities.

+++Just a few hours into the event, figures indicate that tens of thousands of trade visitors have already passed through the doors of the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC), where a record 3500 companies from more than 80 countries are participating.

+++Baqer Mohebi Est is promoting its new range of healthy chocolates – delicious treats containing anti-oxidants, for guilt-free gorging!
Visit the company at hall 4, Stand C4-22.

+++Tableware provider Duni is exhibiting on an individual stand for the first time in five years, demonstrating its commitment to breaking into the Middle East hospitality market.
Check out the charming chinaware at hall 1, stand A1-28.
 

+++Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Gulfood is finally under way and we are settling into our stand. 

Needless to say it hasn't halted the show which is buzzing with activity.