FHA2016 International Conference to broach key trends in APAC

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) forecasts, between 2010 and 2030, an additional 43 million international tourists will enter the marketplace every year. And according to the Cushman & Wakefield’s Hotel Views 2015 report, in the first eight months of 2014, the Asia-Pacific region saw 5% more international tourists over the same period in 2013, with an excess of 1.1 billion visitors expected by the end of 2014. The South-Asian sub-region experienced impressive growth on par with North America at 8%.

With the impact of the regional hospitality industry growing annually in terms of GDP contribution, technology integration and employment generation, FHA2016 International Conference, Asia’s largest and most influential biennial learning and networking event for the food and hospitality industry, will address emerging key trends in the hotels and resort management, foodservices and foodmanufacturing industries.

“Despite the fact that the hospitality industry delivered strong results, 2016 will present some unique industry challenges due to uncertain economic conditions, increasing visitor numbers and global political disruptions. FHA2016 International Conference provides a premier and timely platform for those involved to discuss and address these issues with experts from Asia and beyond,” says Jaime Ng, director, Conferences, Singapore Exhibition Services, the organiser of FHA2016.

Over the course of the three-day conference held from April 12-14 at Singapore Expo, conference delegates will have the opportunity to meet, network and exchange best practices with more than 600 participants from top hotels, resorts, food manufacturing, food retailing and technology firms from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. They will also hear from international experts on a broad range of trends affecting the food and hospitality industry in 2016. New key topics to be addressed at FHA2016 International Conference include:

Hotels & Resorts Management
• New hospitality and destination investment projects pipeline in APAC;
• Choosing operating, owning and franchising models;
• Smart technology integration for improving operational efficiency; and
• Achieving a “Total Hotel” Revenue Management Strategy.

Food Services
• Creating, launching and reviving restaurant concepts;
• Regional expansion strategies for F&B brands;
• Menu engineering and new trends;
• ROI opportunities in innovative outsourcing of culinary preparations; and
• Sustainable kitchen space design.

Food Manufacturing
• Updates on regional Food Safety Legal Framework and its impact on businesses;
• Understanding new contaminants and implementing food traceability measure to avoid food safety breaches;
• Techniques in mass food traceability campaigns; and
• Removing vulnerable links in your food supply chain.

In addition, keynote addresses from leading international experts such as CBRE Hotels, Cushman & Wakefield, InterContinental Hotels Group, Jumeirah Hotels Group, METIER 3 Architects, Panorama Group, Pullman Hotels & Resorts, to name a few, will speak on a number of key issues affecting the industry including:
• The changing demographics and trends in hospitality development;
• The South-east Asian hospitality investment climate; and
• The role of regional stakeholders in delivering a safe and sustainable F&B industry.

The programme will also include a number of panel discussions on exciting food and hospitality topics such as:
• Identifying the next hospitality investment destinations;
• Major innovations that will shape guest acquisition and retention strategies;
• How international and Asian hoteliers and OTAs are adapting to compete in a crowded market; and
• Future trends in F&B innovation and development.

To complement the international conference programme, five new workshops and two site visits have been incorporated into the 2016 agenda, ensuring an unparalleled learning environment for delegates.

Ishak Chandra, CEO, Strategic Development and Services, Sinar Mas Land, comments: “As we move into 2016, we expect the hospitality industry to experience significant growth, development and brand expansion across the Asia-Pacific region. Despite some potential challenges such as geopolitical instability and fluctuating economic growth — the industry is thriving with exciting investment opportunities in many geographies across the region.

“FHA2016 International Conference and more specifically the Hospitality Investors Think-Tank panel discussion on Wednesday, April 13, will discuss these opportunities and is a must-attend event for those looking to invest in the region.”

More than 500 trade attendees, from hotels and resorts, foodservices, foodmanufacturers and solution providers, attended the FHA2014 International Conference. These included delegates from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore, Alfa Land Group, Durban ICC, Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Mintel, Omakase Burger, Surya Mutiara Kencana Pratama, Southern Airports Services Company, Registrar, The Henry Hotel and many others.

At FHA2014 International Conference, conference participant Libby Federico, director, Sales and Marketing, The Pearl Manila Hotel, said: “Being in the hotel industry for several years has taught me that constant update and innovation is the only way to be sustainable in the market. This conference has given me the insights and trends that I am looking for. Good line-up of topics and speakers!"