Introduction to Mexico Hospitality Expo
Guadalajara, Jalisco. Aiming to establish Guadalajara as an international meeting point that strengthens the hospitality industry in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, Expo Guadalajara will host the first edition of Mexico Hospitality Expo. This specialized event focuses on the HORECA sector, which includes hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, wellness, and hospitals.
According to Expo Guadalajara’s president, Luis Isaías Salazar, the event, taking place from May 6th to 8th, is expected to facilitate 800 business meetings. Based on projections from the Observatorio Tecnológico del Centro Universitario de Ciencias Económico-Administrativas (CUCEA), the economic impact is estimated to exceed 186 million pesos.
Exhibitors and Attendees
Salazar mentioned that the expo will feature over 200 exhibitors, with 10% being international brands. Approximately 5,000 qualified visitors from Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean are anticipated. The event spans 9,500 square meters of business opportunities.
Importance for Meetings Industry
Rocío Lancaster Jones, the Director of Tourism Promotion for the Secretaría de Turismo Jalisco (SECTURJAL), emphasized the significance of this event for bolstering the meetings industry in Jalisco.
“The meetings industry is a crucial component of the tourism sector, accounting for 2.1% of the Gross Domestic Product and attracting five million visitors, meaning one in six tourists attends events,” explained the official.
Jalisco’s Hospitality Offerings
Gustavo Staufert, the Director of the Guadalajara Convention and Visitors Bureau (OFVC), highlighted Jalisco’s position as the second-largest state in Mexico regarding hotel rooms (31,000 in the metropolitan area and additional destinations like Puerto Vallarta along the Pacific Coast and Gulf of California, including Riviera Nayarit, Mazatlán, and Los Cabos).
“In the food and beverage sector, Guadalajara alone boasts over 17,000 dining establishments. Moreover, the economic impact of trade shows is substantial: while a leisure tourist typically spends five times their hotel rent in total, attendees at trade shows multiply that amount by twelve,” Staufert Buclon clarified.
International Conferences
To further entice participants, Mexico Hospitality Expo will host the Third International Congress of the Círculo Internacional de Directivos y Directivas de Hotelería (CIDH) and the VI International Business Encounter in Hospitality, Design & Wellness: Mexico-Caribbean. These prestigious global gatherings will be held outside Europe for the first time.
The event will also serve as the venue for the Quarterly Assembly of the National Assembly of the Association of Hotels and Motels, bringing together hotel entrepreneurs nationwide, as well as the Jalisco Travel Fest organized by the American Chamber of Commerce Capítulo Guadalajara. This festival will offer workshops, conferences, and panels discussing innovation and industry trends.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Mexico Hospitality Expo? It’s a specialized event focusing on the HORECA sector, including hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, wellness, and hospitals, aiming to strengthen the hospitality industry in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
- Who are the key organizers? Expo Guadalajara, in coordination with FIRA Barcelona, one of Europe’s leading fair organizations.
- Why is this event important for Jalisco’s meetings industry? The meetings industry contributes significantly to Jalisco’s GDP and attracts millions of visitors annually.
- What makes Jalisco a strong contender for hospitality events? Jalisco has the second-largest number of hotel rooms in Mexico and a thriving food and beverage sector, with over 17,000 dining establishments in Guadalajara alone.
- What international conferences will take place during Mexico Hospitality Expo? The Third International Congress of the Círculo Internacional de Directivos y Directivas de Hotelería (CIDH) and the VI International Business Encounter in Hospitality, Design & Wellness: Mexico-Caribbean.
