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Thaifex-Horec Asia, which took place from 6 to 8 March 2024 at IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, attracted 359 exhibitors from 23 countries, and 15,851 unique trade attendees from 68 countries, making it one of the largest HORECA gatherings in the region.
Nearly 40% of exhibitors presented sustainable solutions, from energy-efficient appliances to innovative applications or management systems for food waste, reflecting the sector’s commitment to minimising environmental impact.
“Today, there’s a lot more scrutiny about becoming sustainable, and one of the advantages of doing so is that the HORECA sector can use the latest equipment to waste less, which reduces operational costs,” says Mathias Kuepper, managing director & vice president APAC of Koelnmesse (co-organiser).
Kuepper adds that post-Covid-19, the industry is placing a lot of emphasis on plastic waste, and looking for substitutes that are sustainable, biodegradable or recyclable. They are also focusing on water and energy waste, and finding ways to reduce carbon footprint and lower operating costs.
“I think the key aspect that hospitality designers can benefit from attending Thaifex-Horec Asia is the insights they gain – on the possibilities of creating designs that are sustainable and ecologically beneficial in hospitality. They also learn how their choices of materials can help raise sustainability standards in hotels, restaurants, cafes, and bars,” Kuepper comments.
He adds that this year’s tradeshow featured furnishings, tableware, and dining ware solutions that are ecologically sustainable to help address current consumer trends.
Some of the exhibitors included Duni, a company that transforms kitchen waste into high-end napkins, and Certified OK HOME which uses compost for table décor that’s sustainable without compromising on style, quality or colour.
One of the furniture companies showcased this year was Deesawat which specialises in green furniture manufacturing. All their products are made of sustainable, plantation-grown or reclaimed teak, meticulously manufactured for lasting quality and engineered to exacting standards. Other unique furnishing brands included Zound Pod - a pod designed by acoustic engineers that sound-proofs hybrid workspaces.
Thaifex-Horec Asia 2024 was co-organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), and Koelnmesse. This event offered an immersive exploration of the future of the hotels, restaurants, and catering (HORECA) sectors in Southeast Asia.
